If driving to a destination (say, an airport) is not a viable option for you, you’re left with two choices: hail a cab or book a New Jersey limo. In most cases, people choose the former, thinking that they’ll be able to save money. But contrary to conventional belief, you can end up saving more money as well as gaining other benefits by opting for a limo. How do these options stack up against each other? Here’s a brief glimpse.

Drivers

Taxi drivers must maximize each journey to a destination. In order to earn more, taxi drivers have to put in more mileage. And when you are on the road for practically a whole day, you are more likely to subject yourself to stress from traffic and from your passengers. This, in turn, may translate to less than stellar service for the cab passengers.

In contrast, limo drivers do not have to rush from one destination to another and put more mileage in order to ensure good pay. Additionally, limo drivers are carefully chosen and trained to ensure that they offer professional service to their passengers.

Vehicles

Again, there is a marked difference between vehicles used as taxis and limousines. Cabs are relatively straightforward, with the end goal being hauling as many passengers as possible over the course of the day. Cleanliness, vehicle condition and other minor details take a backseat to the end goal of maximizing profits for the day. That is not to say that all taxis are unclean or unreliable; however, this depends largely on the driver.

Limousines, on the other hand, offer several upgrades over their taxi counterparts. Many limo companies carefully select the car models they offer to their customers. These vehicles are kept clean and offer luxuries that you wouldn’t normally find in taxi cabs. These include A/C, ample room for passengers, and even Wi-Fi access.

When you book a limo, you are assured that it will arrive on the agreed upon time. If you opt for taxis, on the other hand, you may have to wait for an unknown period of time before an empty cab drives by.

Pricing

Fares for taxi rides are computed by factoring in distance and time. You’ll know how much your fare is only after your arrival at your destination. The fare will vary according to several conditions, including traffic. Limo companies, on the other hand, will quote you how much your fare will be. Should you get stuck in traffic, you’ll still pay the quoted price.

The bottom line here is that when you factor in all the variables, you’ll essentially pay the same price for a cab and a limo (or maybe a few dollars more for a limo). But when it comes to service, vehicle condition, amenities, not to mention luxury, comfort and peace of mind, you’ll get more bang for your buck by opting for a limo service.