Quick answer: Book point-to-point for a single trip (A to B) and pay a fixed price. Book by the hour — usually a 2-hour minimum — when your day has several stops, waiting, or an uncertain schedule; the car and chauffeur stay with you throughout. Multi-stop or open-ended day? Hourly almost always wins.
Every chauffeur booking is one of two shapes. Getting the shape right saves you money and — more importantly — hassle. Here's the difference in plain terms.
Point-to-point: one trip, one price
You're going from A to B — a client pickup, a transfer to a venue, a one-way run. You pay a fixed price for that trip and that's it. Simple, predictable, and the cheapest option when the job really is a single leg.
Hourly (as-directed): the car stays with you
You reserve the car and chauffeur for a block of time — typically a 2-hour minimum— and the day is yours. Several stops, a meeting that might run long, an evening that could stretch: the chauffeur waits, keeps the car ready, and moves when you do. Waiting isn't billed as an extra; it's part of the time you booked.
Which should you book?
| Your day | Book |
|---|---|
| Single transfer, A to B | Point-to-point |
| Two or more stops with gaps | Hourly |
| Dinner + evening out | Hourly |
| Multi-meeting business day | Hourly |
| Day trip (e.g. a Niagara day) | Hourly / day charter |
| Fixed one-way | Point-to-point |
A quick rule of thumb
If you'll ask the car to wait at any point, or you have more than one stop, book hourly. If it's genuinely one trip with a known end, book point-to-point. When in doubt, tell us the day and we'll recommend the cheaper shape.
Book with RAO
Either way, the price is fixed and all-in — no meter, no surge. Our hourly service keeps one car and chauffeur with you all day; for a single executive run, an executive car service transfer is perfect. Request a quote with your plan.
Frequently asked
What's the minimum for an hourly booking?
Hourly, as-directed chauffeur service in Toronto usually starts at a 2-hour minimum. It covers the reserved car and driver whether you're moving or between stops.
Is waiting time charged separately?
No. With hourly service the chauffeur waits between your stops as part of the booked time — there's no per-stop waiting surcharge. That's the whole point of as-directed.
Can I switch to hourly once the day starts?
Usually yes — just tell your chauffeur or our dispatch. If your plans open up, moving to hourly keeps the same car with you for the rest of the day.
Which one is cheaper?
It depends on your day. A single A-to-B trip is cheaper point-to-point; two or more stops (or any waiting) almost always work out better — and simpler — on an hourly booking.