Wheels of Melbourne is a Melbourne private chauffeur service offering fares quoted upfront, airport meet and greet, and child seats on request. This page compares it with taxis, rideshare and other chauffeur services, so you can choose the right option for your trip.
Choosing how to get around Melbourne is not always simple. A taxi is easy to find, a rideshare is quick to book, and a private chauffeur is pre-booked with the fare agreed in advance. Each suits a different kind of trip, from a short hop across town to an airport arrival with luggage or a business meeting where timing matters. Below, we compare the options side by side, share the questions worth asking before you book, and explain which one suits which trip.
How does Wheels of Melbourne compare with taxis, rideshare and other chauffeur services?
| Why choose Wheels of Melbourne — a comparison with taxis, rideshare and other chauffeur services. |
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For a single trip, a rideshare or taxi can be the simplest choice. A private chauffeur suits trips where a fixed fare, a pre-booked driver and a smooth pickup matter. Here is how they compare.
| Wheels of Melbourne | Taxi | Rideshare | Other chauffeur services | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How you book | Online or by phone, in advance | Hail, rank or book | App, on demand | Varies by company |
| How the price is set | Fare quoted upfront when you book | Metered, so it depends on distance and time | App price, which can rise when demand is high | Ask for the fare in writing before you book |
| Airport pickup | Meet and greet with a name placard, plus luggage assistance | Join the taxi rank | Meet at the airport pickup zone | Varies, so ask what is included |
| Flight monitoring | Yes, on airport transfers | Not usually included | Not usually included | Varies, so ask |
| Child seats | Provided on request at no extra charge | Varies, so check when booking | Varies, so check when booking | Varies, so ask |
| Booking hours | Book 24/7, chauffeurs operate 7 am–10 pm | Varies | On demand | Varies |
Why choose Wheels of Melbourne?
- Founded in 2011. Wheels of Melbourne is a Melbourne private chauffeur service based in Narre Warren South.
- Fare quoted upfront. You see your fare before you book, so it does not change with demand.
- Airport service included. Flight monitoring, a meet and greet with a name placard and luggage assistance. See our Melbourne Airport chauffeur service.
- Child seats on request at no extra charge. See our baby seat transfers.
- Book 24/7. Chauffeurs operate 7 am–10 pm.
- Built for business and occasions. Corporate transfers, wedding chauffeurs and Melbourne Cup chauffeur hire.
What can you book with a private chauffeur in Melbourne?
A private chauffeur is more than an airport ride. These are the bookings we see most often.
- Private airport transfers. A private airport transfer in Melbourne means a pre-booked driver who tracks your flight and meets you at arrivals. It works for a trip from Tullamarine to the CBD or to a home in the suburbs.
- Hire a driver for the day. If you have several stops, such as meetings across the city, you can hire a driver for the day and keep the same car and driver throughout. There is no waiting for rides between stops.
- Hire a car with a driver. For a special occasion, a night out or a group trip, you can hire a car with a driver in Melbourne instead of arranging parking or a designated driver. Options range from a sedan to a van or minivan for larger groups. See town cars, vans and minivans.
- Winery and day trips. Spend the day in the wine region without worrying about driving.
- Weddings and big days. Arrive on time and stress-free with wedding chauffeurs, event transfers or Melbourne Cup chauffeur hire.
All of these are booked the same way. Tell us the pickup, destination, and time, and you see your fare before you confirm.
What are the pros and cons of each option?
Chauffeur
- Pro: pre-booked driver and a fare quoted upfront.
- Pro: meet and greet and flight monitoring on airport transfers.
- Con: usually costs more per trip than a standard rideshare.
- Con: needs to be booked in advance.
Taxi
- Pro: easy to hail or find at a rank, no app needed.
- Con: the fare is metered, so it depends on distance and time in traffic.
Rideshare
- Pro: quick to book on demand from an app.
- Con: the price can rise when demand is high.
How do you compare other chauffeur services?
Whichever company you choose, ask these questions before you book:
- Is the fare quoted upfront and confirmed in writing?
- Will the driver track my flight if it is delayed?
- What vehicle will I get, and does it fit my group and luggage?
- Are child seats available, and is there a charge?
- Is the vehicle accredited to carry passengers in Victoria?
Which option suits which trip?
- Airport arrival with luggage: a chauffeur with flight monitoring and a meet-and-greet.
- Business travel: a chauffeur, so the pickup time and fare are agreed before the trip. See corporate transfers.
- Short, low-stakes trip on your own: a rideshare or taxi is often enough.
- Wedding, race day or event: a pre-booked chauffeur, because busy dates fill early.
How do I get an exact fare?
Use the instant quote form, enter your pickup, drop-off, date, time, and passengers, and you will see your fare before you book.
Ready to choose? Get your fare in minutes.
Enter your trip details and see your fare before you book. Professional chauffeurs, flight monitoring and meet and greet on airport transfers.
FAQs
It depends on the trip. A chauffeur suits trips where a fare quoted upfront, a pre-booked driver and a smooth pickup matter, such as airport arrivals and business travel. A rideshare or taxi is often enough for a short trip on your own.
Wheels of Melbourne has operated since 2011 and quotes your fare upfront. Airport transfers include flight monitoring, a meet and greet with a name placard and luggage assistance, and child seats are provided on request at no extra charge.
For a single trip, usually yes compared with a standard rideshare. A chauffeur fare is quoted upfront and does not change with demand.
Ask whether the fare is quoted in writing, whether flights are monitored, what vehicle you will get, whether child seats are available, and whether the vehicle is accredited to carry passengers in Victoria.
Use the instant quote form on our website and enter your pickup, drop-off, date, time, passengers and luggage.
