The 5 Best Professional Chauffeur & Black Car Services for 2026

You’ve mastered the art of the semi-private flight and upgraded your road trips with luxury bus companies. But the final leg of the journey, the ground transfer, is often where the luxury experience breaks down.

While Uber Black is the most recognizable black car service in the world, it is often hit or miss when it comes to vehicle quality and driver experience. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternative chauffeur services you can use.

In this guide, we compare the best luxury car services to help you choose the right ride.

Service	Best For	Vetting Standard	Wait Time	Cancellation Policy
Wheely	Frequent Travelers	Chauffeur Academy	60 minutes (Airport)	Free cancellation within 5 minutes of being notified your chauffeur is on the way.
Blacklane	Global Airport Transfers	Professional Partners	30 minutes (first 15 minutes are complimentary)	1 Hour Prior
EmpireCLS	VIPs & Security	Executive Protection	45 minutes on all domestic arrivals and 75-minutes on international arrivals.	1 Hour Prior
Uber Black	On-Demand Speed	Basic Background	5–15 minutes	Up to 5 minutes after the driver accepts your request.
Carey	Corporate Reliability	Global Livery Audits	20 minutes	20 minutes

1. Wheely: The Gold Standard Chauffeur Service

If you find Uber Black too inconsistent, Wheely is the pick for consummate professionalism. Unlike gig-economy apps, Wheely uses drivers who have graduated from chauffeur academy. Every driver is trained in specific protocols—from the invisible presence to the exact way to hold an umbrella.

The Experience: Guaranteed new-model Mercedes-Benz fleet (E, S, and V-Class).
The “Membership” Factor: Their invite-only “New Bond” level offers the highest tier of discretion and vehicle quality in cities like London, Paris, and Dubai.
Why it wins: It’s the only on-demand service that feels like a private staff member rather than a hired driver.

2. Blacklane: The Most Reliable Global Black Car Service

For frequent flyers, Blacklane solves the arrival anxiety at over 300 airports worldwide. It is the most frictionless way to ensure a professional is waiting for you at the gate, regardless of what country you land in.

Fixed Rates: Unlike Uber’s surge pricing, Blacklane offers all-inclusive fixed rates. What you see is what you pay, regardless of traffic or weather.
The Meet & Greet: A chauffeur meets you inside the terminal with a tablet, handles your luggage, and coordinates with your flight’s real-time arrival.
Why it wins: Consistency. Whether you are in Munich, Miami, or Marrakech, the service standard remains identical.

3. EmpireCLS: Hollywood-Level Security & VIP Transport

When a head of state or an A-list celebrity visits NYC or LA, they are likely in an EmpireCLS vehicle. This is less of a car app and more of a global logistics firm.

Security First: Many chauffeurs are trained in executive protection and defensive driving.
FBO Specialist: They are one of the few services with the clearance and experience to coordinate tarmac pickups at private jet terminals.
Why it wins: For high-stakes travel where privacy and security are the top priorities.

4. Uber Black: The Ultimate On-Demand Utility

It’s popular for a reason: immediacy. Uber Black remains the easiest and fastest option for a driver. If you are stuck in a rainstorm after a Broadway show, Uber Black’s massive network is the only one that can put you in a car in less than five minutes.

The Reality: You are paying for the speed of the technology, not the training of the driver.
The Strategy: Use Uber Black for short, city hops; save the professional chauffeur services for airport arrivals and high-importance events.

5. Carey: Executive Transportation

Carey is the world’s leading provider of chauffeured services for the corporate world. If you are booking for a Board of Directors or a large-scale event, Carey’s “Duty of Care” protocols are the industry benchmark.

Safety Audits: They perform rigorous, on-site audits of every vehicle and driver in their global network.
Scale: They can manage a 50-car motorcade for a corporate retreat with the same precision as a single sedan transfer.