Travel by Taxi/Rent a Car

A. To find out where you can hire a car, use:

• Can I hire a car here?
• Is there a car-hire firm here?
• With Americans, use the word RENT
• Is there a car-rent firm here?
• Where is the best place to hire/rent a car?
• Where can I hire/rent a car cheaply here?

B. To tell them what you want, use:

• I want a medium/small/large car for (a week).
• I want to hire/rent a car for (next Tuesday).
• I want something cheap/comfortable.
• I need a four-seater.
• I want it (at nine o’clock tomorrow morning).
• I need a car now/immediately.
• I need it for (the weekend).
• I want to go to (Turin).
• Can you deliver it?
• Can I collect it?

C. To ask about costs, use:

• How much do you charge?
• What is the tariff?
• I’d like to see your table of charges
• How much is a (four-door/five-door)?
• Does the charge include mileage (kilometers)?
• What do you charge per day/mile/kilometer?
• Are there any extra charges?

D. To find out about the formalities, use:

• I have (an international license).
• Is a (Swiss) driving license all right?
• Do you want proof of identity?
• How much is the deposit?
• Can I pay with (a Diners Club card)?
• Do I need my passport?
• What insurance is included?
• I’d like a receipt, please.
• Where do I sign?
• Do you want my signature?

E. Going by Taxi: Dialogue

• I need a taxi.
• The taxis are by the entrance.
• Thank you very much.
• You’re welcome.
• Is this taxi taken?
• No. Where are you going?
• I’m going to the Central Secretariat.
• O.K.
• How much is the fare?
• Twenty Rupees and Fifty Paise
• Here. Keep the change.
• Thank you very much.

F

Going by Taxi

• Where are you going now?
• To the hotel.
• Are you going by bus or by taxi?
• Probably by taxi if I can get one.
• It’s raining cats and dogs right now.
• Why don’t we get a taxi?
• That’s a good idea.
• Now, I only hope we can find one.

G

Taking a Trip by Car

• Are you taking a trip today?
• Yes. We’re going to Boston.
• It’s a good day for the trip.
• I’m glad the sun is shining.
• How far is it from here to the coast?
• It’s about 250 miles.
• How long does it take to get there by car?
• It takes about five hours.
• How far is it to the next gas station?
• There’s one two miles from here.
• Is there a place to eat there?
• Yes. There’s a restaurant next to the station.
• What’s the best way to Ocean City?
• The superhighway, but it’s also the longest way.
• How much longer is it that way?
• About 10 to 12 miles.
• Are they going by way of North Plains?
• No. They aren’t taking that route.
• How are they traveling then?
• They’re driving directly to Ocean City.

EXERCISE

1. You’re on holiday in England and have hired a car for one week. When you arrived at the car park in Heathrow Airport, you found a Fiat 126 and not the BMW you ordered by telephone from Italy. Go to the car hire office to demand your original car… and for the same price as the Fiat because of the inconvenience.

2. You are the manager of a car hire company at Heathrow airport. A tourist is complaining about the car you gave them. Explain why there were no BMWs and that you were very considerate in choosing an Italian substitute car for them.