Some Miami days do not fit into a single pickup and drop off. A morning of client meetings across Brickell, an afternoon of shopping and lunch, an evening that drifts from dinner to a show, or a full day of showings and site visits all share one need: a chauffeur and vehicle that stay with you and move on your schedule. That is exactly what hourly, as directed service is built for. This guide explains how hourly chauffeur service in Miami works, when to choose it, and which vehicle fits your day.
Imperial Transportation provides professional hourly chauffeur service across Miami and South Florida, with a flat, all inclusive quote confirmed up front. Call 305-404-1000 or request a quote to reserve your block of time.
What is hourly, as directed chauffeur service?
Hourly service, sometimes called as directed or by the hour, is a block booking. You reserve one chauffeur and one vehicle for a set period, and the chauffeur follows your plans rather than treating each leg as a separate trip. The block runs from your scheduled pickup to your final drop off, and everything in between, including stops and waiting time, is part of the reservation. There is no meter and no per stop charge, so your day stays flexible while your cost stays predictable.
How it works
- One chauffeur, one vehicle, your whole window. The same professional stays with you from start to finish, so there is nothing to rebook between stops.
- Stops and wait time are included. Whether you pause for a meeting, a meal, or a photo stop, the vehicle waits for you within your booked block.
- The itinerary can change on the day. Plans shift in Miami traffic and real life. With as directed service you simply tell your chauffeur where to go next.
- Extra time is simple. If your day runs long, additional time is added in the same increments, confirmed with you, with no surprises.
Hourly or point-to-point: which should you book?
Choosing the right booking type saves money and hassle. Use this quick comparison.
- Book point-to-point when you have one pickup and one drop off, such as a hotel to the airport or a straight transfer between two addresses. You get a single flat quote for that trip.
- Book hourly or as directed when the vehicle needs to stay with you: two or more stops, waiting while you dine or meet, an open ended evening, or a day with uncertain timing. One reservation covers the whole plan.
A simple rule: if you would otherwise book several separate rides in one day, hourly is almost always the better value and the smoother experience.
When Miamians book hourly chauffeur service
As directed service fits a wide range of days. The most common include:
- Business and roadshows: executives moving between meetings across Brickell, downtown, and Coral Gables on a synchronized schedule. See our roadshow transportation and corporate transportation.
- Shopping and dining: a day across the Design District, Bal Harbour, and Wynwood with a car that carries your bags and waits at each stop.
- Private tours and sightseeing: a relaxed loop of South Beach, Little Havana, and the causeways at your own pace. Explore our private city tours.
- Events and nights out: dinner, a concert, and a late venue, all with the same chauffeur ready at the curb. See special event transportation.
- Multi stop personal days: appointments, family visits, or errands where flexibility matters more than a fixed route.
Choosing the right vehicle for your hourly booking
Match your group and luggage to the vehicle so the day is comfortable from the first stop. These capacities reflect our actual fleet.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Best for hourly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury Sedan (Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series) | Up to 2 | 2 bags | Executive days, couples, meetings |
| Luxury SUV | Up to 5 (6 in select models) | 5 bags | Small groups, shopping, families |
| Executive Van (Mercedes Sprinter) | Up to 13 | 11 bags | Group tours, team roadshows |
| Executive Bus (24 or 31) | 24 or 31 | 24 or 31 bags | Large group events and outings |
Browse the full lineup on our Miami fleet page. For a Miami wide program of transfers and as directed time, pair this with our Miami limo service.
What is included, and how minimums work
Every hourly booking includes your professional chauffeur, the vehicle reserved exclusively for your group, fuel, and the waiting time within your block. Like most premium services, as directed bookings have a minimum number of hours, which varies by vehicle and day. The hours begin at your agreed pickup time, so it helps to start the block when you actually need the car. Your quote is flat and all inclusive, confirmed before the day so there is no meter anxiety and no surge. When you request a quote, we outline exactly what is included.
Tips for booking hourly in Miami
- Share your rough plan. Even a loose list of stops and timing helps us assign the right vehicle and chauffeur and estimate your block.
- Build in buffer. Miami traffic and long lunches happen. A little extra time in your block keeps the day stress free.
- Think about luggage and group size, not just seats. Shopping bags and gear add up, which is why our capacity table lists luggage separately.
- Book ahead for peak days. Event weekends, holidays, and season fill vehicles quickly, so reserve early to lock in your first choice.
Why choose Imperial for hourly chauffeur service
Travelers and companies choose Imperial because an as directed day is only as good as the chauffeur running it. Every Imperial chauffeur is background checked, professionally trained, and familiar with Miami traffic, venues, and timing. Add a vehicle reserved just for you, a flat all inclusive quote, and one point of contact for multi vehicle days, and your schedule simply works. Whether it is a three hour meeting block or a full day across South Florida, the standard stays the same.
A sample hourly day in Miami
To see how as directed service flows, picture a typical booking. Your chauffeur collects you from your Brickell hotel at nine for a round of morning meetings downtown, waiting at the curb between each one so you never scramble for a car. At midday you head to the Design District for lunch and a little shopping, with your bags going straight into the vehicle rather than onto your shoulder. In the afternoon there are a few more stops, then back to the hotel to refresh before a seven o’clock dinner on South Beach and a show afterward. One chauffeur, one vehicle, zero rebooking, and a single flat quote for the whole block. That is the ease hourly service is designed to deliver, and it is just as effective for a focused three hour meeting block as it is for a full day across the city.
Frequently asked questions
What is hourly or as directed chauffeur service?
It is a block booking where you reserve one chauffeur and one vehicle for a set period, and the chauffeur follows your plans. Stops and waiting time are included in the block, with no meter and no per stop charge.
When should I book hourly instead of a one way ride?
Book hourly when the vehicle needs to stay with you, such as multiple stops, waiting while you meet or dine, an open ended evening, or a day with uncertain timing. For a single pickup and drop off, point-to-point is the better fit.
Is waiting time included in hourly service?
Yes. Within your booked block, the vehicle waits for you between stops at no extra charge. You only add time if the day runs beyond your reserved hours.
Is there a minimum number of hours?
Yes. As directed bookings have a minimum that varies by vehicle and day. When you request a quote, we confirm the minimum and the flat, all inclusive rate up front.
Can I change my itinerary during the booking?
Absolutely. That is the point of as directed service. You decide where to go as the day unfolds, and your chauffeur adjusts in real time.
What vehicles are available for hourly booking?
Choose a luxury sedan, SUV, executive Sprinter van, or executive bus, matched to your group size and luggage. For larger groups we can stage multiple vehicles coordinated as one plan.
What happens if my day runs longer than booked?
Additional time is simply added in the same increments at the same rate and confirmed with you, so there are no surprises if a meeting or dinner runs late.
Can I use hourly service for a business roadshow in Miami?
Yes. Roadshows are a classic use of as directed service, with a dedicated chauffeur moving your team across the city on a synchronized schedule under one point of contact.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 24 hours ahead to guarantee your preferred vehicle, and earlier for event weekends, holidays, and peak season when demand is high.
How do I get a quote for hourly chauffeur service in Miami?
Call 305-404-1000 or request a quote with your pickup time, expected hours, group size, and planned stops. We recommend the right vehicle and confirm a flat, all inclusive rate.
