Private Drivers Around the World
Where a car with driver is the normal way to tour, and how cruise passengers can use one safely.
Get Free Trip QuotesBeyond Europe, hiring a car with a driver is often the normal way to tour, not a luxury. Roads can be chaotic for visitors, distances are long, and a good driver becomes your fixer, translator and guide to local life.
Where Travelers Commonly Hire a Driver
Sri Lanka
Touring the island with a car and chauffeur-guide is a well-worn pattern, linking the cultural sites, the hill country and the south coast. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority publishes a list of certified chauffeur-guides; ask whether yours is on it.
India and Rajasthan
Multi-day tours by car are common on routes such as Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and on through Rajasthan. Drivers often stay near your hotel overnight; ask how their accommodation and meals are arranged. Monuments may require a separate approved guide.
Morocco
Drivers are popular for crossing the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech toward the desert, and for linking imperial cities such as Fez. Mountain passes and long distances make an experienced driver valuable.
Bali
Many visitors hire a driver by the day to reach temples, rice terraces and inland villages, where public transport is limited and traffic is heavy.
Iceland
In winter, conditions on Icelandic roads can change fast. A professional driver familiar with the roads can make the dark months far less stressful than self-driving.
Peru
Drivers connect Cusco with the Sacred Valley and other sites in the Andes. Entry rules and guide requirements at major archaeological sites change, so check the official rules before you go.
Private Drivers for Cruise Passengers
A private driver can turn a port day into exactly the day you want, especially for families and small groups, or for ports where the main sights are a drive away. The key difference from a ship’s excursion is responsibility: ships generally wait only for their own tours, so if you are late back, you may be left behind. Plan generously, keep the ship’s port agent number to hand and agree a firm return time.
We do not repeat port-by-port advice here. Port Activities explains how to do a port day on your own safely, Shore Activities lists tours and activities in ports and cities worldwide, and Asia Shore Excursions covers cruise ports in Asia, including the ones where drivers are common. For Florence, Pisa and Tuscany from Livorno, see Europe Port Excursions.
Planning a Multi-Day Driver Tour
- Agree the full route, the overnight stops and the daily driving time in writing.
- Ask how the driver’s accommodation and meals are handled on overnight trips.
- Plan rest days; long days in a car are tiring even as a passenger.
- Keep a copy of the driver’s details with someone at home.
- Confirm your travel insurance covers the whole route; see Cruise & Travel Insurance.
Planning travel within the United States instead? Best of the USA covers the best places and things to do across America. For the vetting questions that apply everywhere, see our vetting and safety guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to hire a private driver in a country I do not know?
Generally yes, if you book a licensed or registered driver in advance, agree the plan in writing and follow normal travel-safety habits. The risks come mostly from unplanned arrangements with unknown drivers.
Will the cruise ship wait for me if my private driver is late?
You should assume not. Ships generally wait only for their own shore excursions. Build in a generous margin and ask the driver to return you well before all-aboard time.
What is a chauffeur-guide?
A driver who also acts as your guide, common in places such as Sri Lanka and India. In some countries a separate licensed guide is still required inside major monuments.
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