"Limo service" is one of the most searched phrases in ground transportation, and it means different things to different people. To a business traveller in Chicago, a limo is the black sedan that collects them from O'Hare. To a bride in Toronto or a prom group in Miami, it is a stretch limousine with a long side bench. To a bachelorette party in Las Vegas, it might be a party bus.
Booking the wrong vehicle wastes money or leaves people standing on the kerb. This page explains the main vehicle types, what each is good for and how Elly8.net prices them, so you can book the right one first time.
What is the difference between a black car and a limousine?
A black car is a chauffeured luxury sedan or SUV, used for airport transfers, business travel and point-to-point trips. A limousine usually means a larger vehicle for occasions: a stretch limousine, an executive Sprinter or a limo bus. Black cars suit one to a few passengers; limousines and Sprinters suit groups, weddings and nights out.
In the industry, "limousine service" is often used for all chauffeured cars, which is why the two terms get mixed up. The practical question is how many people, how much luggage and what kind of trip.
The vehicle types, explained
Business Sedan. A late-model black luxury sedan for one to three passengers with standard luggage. This is the workhorse of black car service: airport runs, meetings, hotel transfers. Published examples include LaGuardia to Midtown from US$145 and Harry Reid Airport to the Las Vegas Strip from US$125.
Business SUV. A large black SUV for more luggage, more passengers or winter roads. The usual choice for families, golf trips and ski cities. JFK to Midtown is US$275 and LAX to Beverly Hills US$225.
First Class Sedan and First Class SUV. Top-of-range models for executives, client hosting and special occasions. JFK to Midtown is US$370 in a First Class Sedan and US$340 in a First Class SUV.
Executive Sprinter. A high-roof executive van with forward-facing seats and luggage space, for teams, wedding parties and groups who want to travel together. JFK to Midtown is US$550; by the hour in New York it is US$210 with a 3-hour minimum. See Sprinter van with driver.
Stretch limousine. The classic occasion car, with side seating and a long cabin. Booked for weddings, proms, anniversaries and celebrations rather than airports, because luggage space is limited. See limousine service.
Limo bus or party bus. A larger vehicle with perimeter seating for big groups on a night out. See party bus rental.
Stretch limousines and party buses are not on the fixed-price city lists; ask the desk or use the web booker for a quote where they are available in your city.
Side by side
| Vehicle | Typical use | Luggage | Best for | Example published price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Sedan | Airports, meetings, point to point | Standard | 1-3 travellers, business trips | JFK to Midtown US$210 |
| Business SUV | Airports with bags, families, winter | Generous | Families, small groups, golf and ski | JFK to Midtown US$275 |
| First Class Sedan | Executive travel, hosting | Standard | VIPs, board members, special occasions | JFK to Midtown US$370 |
| First Class SUV | Executive travel with bags | Generous | Executives, families wanting top-range | JFK to Midtown US$340 |
| Executive Sprinter | Groups, shuttles, roadshow teams | Large | Teams, wedding parties, conference groups | JFK to Midtown US$550 |
| Stretch limousine | Occasions | Limited | Weddings, proms, celebrations | Quote on request |
| Party or limo bus | Nights out | Limited | Large groups, celebrations | Quote on request |
Which vehicle for which trip?
Airport transfer, one or two travellers. A Business Sedan. If you have more than two large cases, a Business SUV. See airport transfers.
Airport transfer, family of four or five. A Business SUV, with child seats requested at booking.
Group arriving together. An Executive Sprinter keeps everyone and the bags in one vehicle. From JFK it costs the same as two Business SUVs (US$550 against 2 x US$275), with everyone arriving together and one vehicle to coordinate.
Business day with meetings. A Business Sedan or First Class Sedan by the hour. See executive car service and hourly chauffeur.
Client hosting or a board visit. A First Class Sedan or SUV.
Wedding. A stretch limousine or First Class car for the couple, SUVs for the family, and Sprinters for guest shuttles between hotel, ceremony and reception. See wedding limousine.
Prom or graduation. A stretch limousine or Sprinter for the group. See prom limousine.
Night out, concert or game. For up to a few people, an SUV on an evening package. For a larger group, a Sprinter or party bus. In New York the evening out and event night package starts at US$525 in a Business Sedan and US$1,050 in an Executive Sprinter.
Black car vs limousine on price
Because Elly8.net prices are per vehicle, the cost per person drops sharply as the group grows. A Business Sedan from O'Hare to the Loop is US$215; an Executive Sprinter is US$560. For two travellers, the sedan is the obvious choice. For eight colleagues, the Sprinter works out at US$70 each, door to door, with everyone arriving together.
All published prices are fixed and all-in: chauffeur, vehicle, taxes, the standard gratuity and airport meet and greet. Tolls, parking and waiting beyond the included time are billed at cost.
| City and route | Business Sedan | Business SUV | First Class Sedan | Executive Sprinter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Hare to the Loop and Magnificent Mile, Chicago | US$215 | US$280 | US$380 | US$560 |
| LAX to Beverly Hills, Los Angeles | US$170 | US$225 | US$300 | US$445 |
| MIA to Miami Beach | US$180 | US$235 | US$315 | US$470 |
| Toronto Pearson to downtown Toronto | US$155 | US$205 | US$275 | US$405 |
| Heathrow to Mayfair, London | US$195 | US$255 | US$345 | US$510 |
| CDG to the 8th arrondissement, Paris | US$170 | US$225 | US$300 | US$445 |
For a full guide to costs across vehicles and cities, read how much does a limo cost.
Why stretch limousines are rarely the right airport car
A stretch limousine looks the part, but it is designed for passengers, not suitcases. Side-facing seats are less comfortable on a long airport run, and a long wheelbase is awkward in tight terminal roads and hotel driveways. For airport transfers, even for a celebration, an SUV or a Sprinter is usually more practical, with the stretch limousine kept for the evening itself.
Why a black car is rarely the right wedding car for a group
The opposite also applies. A sedan is perfect for the couple, but a bridal party of eight in three sedans arrives at three different times and costs more than a single Sprinter or stretch limousine. Book the vehicle around the group, not the occasion.
Comfort, privacy and work
For business travellers, the black car's advantage is a quiet cabin where you can take a call or prepare for a meeting. NDAs are available on request for confidential travel. For groups, the Sprinter's advantage is that everyone can talk, plan and arrive together, and the luggage goes with them. See corporate car service for how companies use both.
Vehicle choice by city and season
Winter cities. In Toronto, Chicago and the mountain resorts, many travellers choose a Business SUV from November to March for the extra space for winter coats, boots and ski bags. In Toronto, a Business SUV from Pearson to downtown is US$205.
Resort and mountain transfers. Long drives from the airport to a ski town reward the larger vehicle. The longest published transfer, Denver International to downtown Aspen, is US$1,235 in a Business Sedan and US$1,610 in a Business SUV; for a family with ski gear, the SUV is the practical choice.
Las Vegas. Groups arriving for a bachelor or bachelorette weekend, a convention or a fight night often book a Business SUV or Executive Sprinter. Harry Reid Airport to the Strip is US$325 in an Executive Sprinter, shared by the whole group. See Las Vegas for every route.
European city centres. Historic streets and hotel entrances in cities such as London and Paris can be tight. A sedan or SUV is the everyday choice; an Executive Sprinter suits groups and luggage.
A quick booking checklist
- Count the passengers, including children.
- Count the large cases and any oversized items, such as golf or ski bags.
- Decide whether the trip is a transfer, an hourly booking or an evening package.
- Choose the smallest vehicle that fits people and luggage comfortably.
- Add child seats, a pickup sign name and your flight number at booking.
When First Class is worth it
The First Class Sedan and First Class SUV are the top of the everyday range. They make sense when the car is part of the impression: collecting a chief executive from Teterboro, hosting a client between meetings, a milestone anniversary or the couple's car on a wedding day. In New York, a First Class Sedan from JFK to Midtown is US$370 and by the hour US$170; in London, Heathrow to Mayfair is US$345.
For a routine airport run, the Business Sedan does the same job at a lower price, with the same flight tracking, meet and greet and complimentary waiting after a tracked landing. Many companies set this in their travel policy: Business class for everyday trips, First Class for senior executives and guests. See corporate accounts for how that works on one invoice.
Round trips and multi-stop days
If you need the vehicle more than once in a day, compare a round trip or an hourly booking with separate transfers. Round trips are priced slightly below two one-way trips; JFK to Midtown and back is US$400 in a Business Sedan. For several stops, an hourly booking with a 3-hour minimum keeps the same car and chauffeur all day.
Child seats
Child seats are available on request in sedans, SUVs and Sprinters; add them at booking. Families sometimes bring their own; the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission's passenger FAQ notes that passengers in TLC-licensed vehicles may bring and use their own car seats and booster seats.
Who operates the vehicles
Toronto and the GTA run on the Elly8 fleet and chauffeurs. In every other city, rides are operated by licensed, commercially insured local chauffeur partners vetted through the Limousine Worldwide network, with Elly8.net taking the booking, fixing the price and running the 24/7 desk. Partner vehicles are four model years old or newer, seven for Rolls-Royce, Maybach and Bentley. Elly8.net is a member of Limousine Worldwide Directory and Limousine Association International. See the fleet for each class.
How to book
- Enter pickup and drop-off, with your flight number for airport pickups, or choose an hourly or evening package.
- Choose the vehicle using the guide above.
- Reserve now on a published price or use the web booker for any other address or vehicle. Confirmation arrives by email.
Frequently asked questions
Is a black car the same as a limo?
Often the terms are used interchangeably, because many companies call all chauffeured cars "limousine service". Strictly, a black car is a luxury sedan or SUV for point-to-point and airport trips, and a limousine is a larger occasion vehicle, such as a stretch limousine or limo bus.
Which is cheaper, a black car or a limousine?
For one to three people, a black car. For larger groups, a Sprinter or limousine often costs less per person, because Elly8.net prices are per vehicle. From O'Hare, a Business Sedan is US$215 and an Executive Sprinter US$560, which is US$70 each for eight travellers.
What vehicle suits an airport transfer with a family?
A Business SUV, with child seats requested at booking. It has room for several large cases and is the most practical choice for families. JFK to Midtown is US$275 and MIA to Miami Beach US$235 in a Business SUV. Add the children's ages when you book.
Can you book a stretch limousine for a wedding?
Stretch limousines are not on the fixed-price city lists. Ask the desk or use the web booker for a quote where they are available in your city. For guest shuttles, an Executive Sprinter is usually the better choice. Tell the desk your timings and guest numbers.
What is an Executive Sprinter?
A high-roof executive van with forward-facing seats and luggage space, for groups who want to travel together. It is popular for teams, wedding parties and conference groups. In New York it is US$550 from JFK to Midtown or US$210 an hour with a 3-hour minimum.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation more than 72 hours before pickup, 10% at 72 hours or less, 50% at 48 hours or less, and 100% at 24 hours or less or for a no-show. Refunds go to the original card. See the cancellation policy.
