You’ve decided to book a car service, and you’re probably wondering “what’s it gonna cost me?”

So, how much is too much? What should you keep in mind as you’re evaluating your options and considering your budget? How do you know if you’re making the right decision? If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed about the costs involved, just take a deep breath, relax, and read on: you’ve come to the right place for answers.

First of all, there’s no such thing as a standard cost for a car or limo. An hour can cost as little as $50 or as much as $300 (or more). What accounts for such a wide range in cost? Several factors. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Where you live

If you live in a major city (like Philadelphia or Los Angeles, for example), you can expect to pay more than if you live in the suburbs or out in the country. You’ve heard the expression “location, location, location” when it comes to home-buying. Well, the same holds true when paying for a car service. Greater demands equals a higher cost.

The kind of vehicle you need

The term “car service” or “limo service” usually conjures up an image of a luxury sedan. But it can also mean a stretch limousine, SUV, a vintage car, or an exotic car like a Hummer. It can even involve a party bus, minibus, or motor coach (think of a rock star’s tour bus). Generally speaking, the smaller and less exotic the vehicle is, the less you’re going to pay for the car service.

The number of people in the vehicle

You’d never rent a party bus if all you need is a simple ride to the airport for your business trip. And there’s no way you could cram a wedding party of 12 into a four-door luxury sedan. What you pay will be determined to a great extent by how many people are riding in the vehicle. Knowing how many passengers there will be makes it much easier for your service to provide an accurate price quote for you. So be sure to have a head count before you pick up that phone or fill in that online quote request.

How long you need the car service

A single airport trip is going to be much less expensive than a car for a girls’ night out on the town or a wedding day. Why? It’s all about time. That trip to the airport, for example, involves just one pickup and drop-off, after which the car is able to book another passenger or trip. That night out on the town or a wedding day is a different story, however: car and limo services will need those vehicles to be available and on standby for the duration of your event, especially if multiple stops are required. Naturally, that larger block of time is going to cost you more. Keep in mind that for this very reason, many car and limo services will have time minimums. Ask to see the policy on minimums before you pay for anything.

The day of the week and the time of the year

When it comes to paying, it’s all about supply and demand. Think about when most people go out for a special occasion: that usually happens on the weekends, right? It follows, then, that you’re going to pay more on a Saturday night than you would on a Tuesday afternoon. The same goes for the time of year. Prom season is one of the busiest times for car and limo services. And don’t forget all of those June brides and New Year’s Eve revelers. Book during any of these seasons and you’re going to pay more compared to less busy times of the year.

Whether there are other fees involved

When you’re booking your service, be sure to ask if the price you’re being quoted includes sales tax and/or the driver’s gratuity. And remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. That so-called bargain you’ve found with an unscrupulous service might not include a slew of extra costs such as highway taxes, fuel surcharges, beverages, waiting time, travel times, and tolls. Factor in those hidden charges and that “bargain” is suddenly anything but. A reputable car and limo service will spell out exactly what’s included in the quote it provides you. When in doubt, ask for a detailed, itemized list of fees and charges.

Armed with this information, you’re ready to make an informed and cost-effective decision about your service. Now you just need to decide who you’re going to hire! You can start by asking friends, family members, and coworkers for their recommendations. You can also consult the Yellow Pages for local car and limo services. If you’re new to the area or prefer to go online, there are lots of sites that will do the searching for you. Provide them with some up-front information about your needs, and they’ll give you a list of area services with price quotes. Here are three sites to get you started (some sites require you to join or register before searching):

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