When an hourly charter makes sense
Point-to-point service works when you know your start and end points. Hourly works when the day has moving parts. A morning of meetings in Midtown near Grand Central, then a lunch in the West Village, then an afternoon stop on the Upper East Side, then back to a hotel near Bryant Park. Each leg is short, but the gaps between them add up. Keeping the car and chauffeur with you removes the need to rebook and wait for a new driver to find you. The same logic applies to a client visiting from out of town who wants to see several neighborhoods in one afternoon, or a family with a day of appointments in different boroughs.
How the three-hour minimum works
Every hourly booking starts with a three-hour minimum. That covers the time from the scheduled start until you release the chauffeur. If your plans run longer, you can request an extension during the booking, subject to the chauffeur's availability that day. The rate covers the vehicle and chauffeur for the hours you reserve. The quote confirms tolls, parking and any extras. If you finish early, the minimum still applies. For a quick single trip across town, point-to-point is usually the better fit. For a day with three or more stops, the hourly structure tends to be simpler to manage.
What to tell us when you book
Give the date, the start time, and the pickup address with the exact building entrance. In Manhattan, that means the street number and whether the entrance is on the avenue or the side street, since some buildings have multiple doors. If you are starting from a hotel, the main entrance is usually fine, but note if there is a separate motor entrance. List the stops you already know, even if the order may change. Mention if you need to be at a specific place by a certain time, such as a meeting near Rockefeller Center or a reservation in Tribeca. If you are leaving from a residence in Brooklyn Heights or a venue in Long Island City, the pickup details matter just as much. For trips that include Westchester, Greenwich, or New Jersey, say so at booking because the direction and crossings affect the plan.
Stops, waiting, and how the day flows
With an hourly charter, the chauffeur stays with the vehicle while you go inside. That is the main difference from point-to-point, where the driver leaves after drop-off. You can add stops as the day goes on. If you are heading to an event at a venue in Chelsea or a dinner in the West Village, the chauffeur can wait nearby and you can text when you are ready. For airport-related days, tell us if you are arriving or departing and the flight details. If you are arriving, luggage exit timing can vary, so plan the start of the hourly block around when you expect to reach the confirmed car-service meeting point, not when the plane lands. For departures, you set the pickup time based on your own check-in plan.
Vehicles and rates
Sedans work well for one or two passengers with light luggage. SUVs give more room for small groups or extra bags. Sprinters handle larger parties and are often used for event nights or group transfers. Rates start at $120 per hour for a sedan, $150 for an SUV, $175 for an S-Class, and $200 for a Sprinter, each with a three-hour minimum. That means the planning total for a three-hour booking is $360 for a sedan, $450 for an SUV, $525 for an S-Class, and $600 for a Sprinter. Eight hours plan from $960, $1,200, $1,400 and $1,600. These are starting estimates. The quote confirms tolls, parking and any extras. If your day includes a stop in Hoboken or Jersey City, the route will use a Hudson River crossing, and that is part of the plan you share at booking.
Extending or adjusting your booking
You can request more time during the day. The chauffeur will check with the office, and if the vehicle is not committed to another booking, you can keep going. If you know ahead of time that your day will run long, add the extra hours when you book. Changes to the stop list are easy to handle in the moment. If you need to shift the start time, let us know as early as possible. For multi-stop days that include a mix of boroughs, such as starting in Manhattan, crossing to Brooklyn, and ending in Queens, the hourly format keeps the logistics in one place.
Questions before booking
Can I book an hourly chauffeur for just two hours?
The minimum is three hours for every published class, including the S-Class. If you only need a single trip, point-to-point service is a better fit.
Are tolls and parking included in the hourly rate?
The quote confirms tolls, parking and other extras. The hourly rate covers the vehicle and chauffeur for the booked time.
Can I add stops during the day?
Yes, you can add stops as you go. The chauffeur stays with the vehicle, so you can adjust the plan without rebooking.
What happens if my flight is delayed on an arrival day?
If you are arriving and your flight is delayed, contact us with the updated information so the start of your hourly block can be adjusted.