How to Choose the Right Tempo Traveller Size
This is the first thing every group has to settle, and getting it wrong is one of the most common mistakes we see. People try to cram 14 into a 12 seater because it's cheaper, then spend the whole 5-hour drive to Shirdi with their knees jammed against the seat in front. Not worth it.
Here's how we look at it. That "seater" number is the technical maximum. The comfortable number is usually 2-3 seats less, especially once you're past 2-3 hours on the road. You need room for bags, somebody always wants to stretch out, and the last row in any tempo traveller is tighter than the front. So here's our honest take:
9-12 People: the 12 Seater Tempo Traveller
The smallest option, and it's spot on for mid-size family groups. Think two families doing a pilgrimage together, or a bunch of friends heading to Lonavala for the weekend. At 9-10 people everyone's genuinely comfortable with bags to spare. Push it to 12 and it's tight, though fine for shorter runs. Rate: ₹18/km.
13-17 People: the 17 Seater Tempo Traveller
Our most-booked size by a mile. It's the sweet spot: room for a big family, a corporate team, or a college gang without jumping all the way to a full bus. Most of our Shirdi pilgrimages and Goa group trips ride in 17 seaters. At 13-14 people you get serious legroom and plenty of luggage room. Even packed to 17 it stays comfortable, because that's exactly what the vehicle is built for. Rate: ₹20/km.
18-20 People: the 20 Seater Tempo Traveller
For the bigger crowds: large family gatherings, office team outings, school trips. The 20 seater is basically a mini-bus with pushback seats. More luggage storage, and it holds the highway nicely. If your group is right around 20, this is the one. Rate: ₹22/km.
21+ People: Two Vehicles or a 26 Seater Bus
Above 20, we can put you in a 26 seater mini-bus on request, or split the group across two tempo travellers. For a group of 22, two 12 seaters is sometimes more practical (and frankly more fun) than one 26 seater bus. Give us a call and we'll work out the best option for your numbers.
One simple rule: if you're stuck between two sizes, take the bigger one. The gap between a 12 seater and a 17 seater is just ₹2/km. On a 200 km trip that's ₹400 extra for five more seats and a lot more breathing room. Split it across the group and nobody even feels it. You can cross-check every size against our full per-km rate card before you decide.
| Feature | 12 Seater | 17 Seater | 20 Seater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Size | 9-12 people | 13-17 people | 18-20 people |
| Rate Per Km | ₹18/km | ₹20/km | ₹22/km |
| AC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pushback Seats | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Music System | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Luggage Space | Moderate | Good | Large |
| Pune-Shirdi (187 km) | ~₹3,400 | ~₹3,750 | ~₹4,100 |
| Pune-Goa (450 km) | ~₹8,100 | ~₹9,000 | ~₹9,900 |
*Approximate outstation fares. Tolls and driver allowance additional. Use our fare calculator for exact pricing.
Tempo traveller exterior: clean, well-maintained vehicles
Inside: pushback seats, AC, and proper legroom
Tempo Traveller Rates in Pune: What You Actually Pay
Let's break down the tempo traveller on rent in Pune rate per km so you know exactly where your money goes. The per-km rate is the base cost, and a few other bits make up the total fare. No surprises here. We tell you the whole number upfront before you confirm the booking. If your group is actually 6-7 people, an Innova on rent often works out cheaper than a 12 seater, so it's worth comparing both.
Per Km Rates (Outstation)
₹18
per km
12 Seater
₹20
per km
17 Seater
Most Popular
₹22
per km
20 Seater
Local Packages (Within Pune)
| Package | 12 Seater | 17 Seater | 20 Seater |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Hours / 40 km | ₹2,500 | ₹3,000 | ₹3,500 |
| 8 Hours / 80 km | ₹4,500 | ₹5,500 | ₹6,500 |
| 12 Hours / 120 km | ₹6,500 | ₹7,500 | ₹9,000 |
What is Included
- • Vehicle with AC and pushback seats
- • Experienced driver
- • Fuel charges
- • Driver's allowance (local trips)
- • Music system and charging points
Additional Charges
- • Toll charges (at actuals)
- • Parking fees (at actuals)
- • Driver allowance for outstation (₹300-500/night)
- • Extra km beyond package limit
- • State permit fee (for inter-state trips like Goa)
Here's the bit that catches people off guard. For outstation trips there's usually a minimum km per day. On a one-day round trip to Shirdi the minimum is 300 km. The actual round-trip distance is about 374 km, so you cross it anyway. But on shorter outstation runs like Mahabaleshwar (240 km round trip), that minimum kicks in. We always lock the total fare before booking so you know the exact number. Check our pricing page or fare calculator for your specific trip.
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When Does a Tempo Traveller Make the Most Sense?
We get all sorts of bookings, but a few trip types are just made for a tempo traveller. Here's where it genuinely beats the alternatives, plus a couple of cases where it might not be the right call.
Family Pilgrimages
This is our single biggest category for tempo traveller bookings. Extended families, 10, 15, sometimes 18 people, heading to Shirdi for darshan, doing the Ashtavinayak circuit, or visiting Trimbakeshwar. The appeal is simple. Everyone travels together, the elderly sit comfortably in pushback seats, the kids have room to fidget, and there's one vehicle to keep track of instead of three.
Most popular: Shirdi (one day), Ashtavinayak (2-3 days), Trimbakeshwar + Nashik (2 days). See the full Pune outstation route index for more.
Group Trips to Goa, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala
College friends, office friends, society members, any group that wants to travel together instead of splitting into separate cabs. If you're still picking where to go, our roundup of the best group travel destinations from Pune is a good starting point. A Pune to Goa trip in a 17 seater tempo traveller is genuinely fun. Everyone's in one vehicle, you play your own music, you stop wherever the group decides, and the per-head cost works out really well. A 17 seater to Goa at ₹20/km with 15 people comes to roughly ₹600-700 per person one way.
Also popular: Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Alibaug, Kolhapur
Weddings and Events
Wedding party pick-ups, baarat transportation, shuttling guests from the hotel to the venue and back. This is where the local hourly packages really earn their keep. Book a 4-hour or 8-hour slot and the tempo traveller does round after round between locations. We've also handled mehendi pick-ups, reception guest transfers, and post-wedding airport drops for the whole family.
In wedding season (November-February), book 3-4 days ahead. Tempo travellers get snapped up fast.
Corporate Outings and Team Events
IT companies in Hinjewadi, Kharadi, and Magarpatta book tempo travellers all the time for team outings: resorts near Pune, offsite meetings, year-end celebrations. The 17 seater suits most teams well (12-15 people plus some equipment or supplies). We sort out the logistics, your team just shows up. Our corporate team outing transport guide covers the planning side in more detail.
Corporate billing with GST invoice available on request.
School and College Trips
Educational excursions, NCC trips, sports tournament travel. Schools usually need a 20 seater or a couple of vehicles. We put experienced drivers on these, ones who take carrying students seriously. The vehicles are clean, well-maintained, and fully insured, so teachers can keep their eyes on the kids and leave the logistics to us.
For school groups, book at least a week ahead with a confirmed headcount.
Booking Tips We Wish Every Customer Knew
After thousands of tempo traveller bookings, a handful of things consistently separate a smooth trip from a stressful one. This isn't generic advice. These are the things that come up again and again.
Book 2-3 Days Ahead for Outstation
Unlike sedans and SUVs, tempo travellers aren't sitting on every street corner. The supply is limited, especially for 17 and 20 seaters. For outstation trips, 2-3 days notice is ideal. In peak season (October-February, festival periods), book a week ahead if you can. Same-day bookings sometimes work on shorter routes, but don't bank on it.
Tell Us Your Exact Group Size and Luggage
Headcount sets the vehicle size, obviously. But luggage matters just as much. If 12 people are travelling with 12 big suitcases (common on wedding trips), a 12 seater won't have the boot space for it. In that case a 17 seater with the extra room makes more sense. Be upfront about what you're carrying. It helps us put you in the right vehicle.
Early Morning Departures Are No Problem
Plenty of pilgrimage trips start at 3-4 AM. Our drivers are used to it. For early starts, we send you the driver's details and vehicle number the night before, so you're not standing in the dark wondering if anyone's actually coming. The driver calls you 10-15 minutes before he reaches the pickup point.
Driver Handles Toll and Parking
You don't have to think about toll plazas or hunting for parking at crowded spots like Shirdi or Goa. The driver deals with all of it. You just reimburse the toll and parking at actuals, and the driver hands you the receipts. We don't add any markup on top.
No Advance Payment with CabsPune
This is a big one. You pay the full amount to the driver once the trip is done. Cash or UPI, whichever you prefer. We don't ask for deposits, tokens, or advance transfers. That means zero risk on your side. If the vehicle somehow didn't show up (it will, but hypothetically), you haven't lost a rupee.
One Pickup Point Keeps It Simple
Try to gather everyone at one pickup spot. When a 17 seater has to collect people from five different addresses across Pune, it can add an hour or more to the start and burn extra fuel. Most groups just pick one central meeting point: someone's society, a known landmark, or a mall parking lot.
What to Expect Inside the Tempo Traveller
If you've never ridden in a tempo traveller, it's pretty different from a regular car or even a big SUV. Picture a mini-bus with proper individual seats instead of bench seating. Here's what our vehicles come with:
Pushback Seats
Individual reclining seats, not the flat benches you get in older tempo travellers or buses. Each one has a headrest and reclines on its own. On a long trip, that's the difference between arriving fresh and arriving with a sore back.
Full AC
Roof-mounted AC that actually cools the whole cabin, not just the front. The driver controls it, but ask any time you want it warmer or cooler. In Pune's summer heat (March-May), this one's non-negotiable.
Music System
Bluetooth, USB charging, and speakers spread through the cabin. Connect your phone, play your playlist. On pilgrimage trips, families put on bhajans. On Goa trips, it turns into a party on wheels. The system is decent. It's not audiophile-grade, but it's plenty loud for everyone to enjoy.
Luggage Space
Dedicated luggage area in the back, plus overhead storage in most vehicles. On a Goa trip with 15 people and their bags, there's room for everyone's stuff. Got oversized luggage like wedding decorations or sports equipment? Tell us in advance.
Clean, Well-Maintained
We clean the vehicles before every trip. No leftover food packets from the last group, no stale smell. Seat covers get washed regularly. We're particular about this, because five hours in a grubby vehicle is genuinely miserable.
Experienced Drivers
Driving a tempo traveller on the Pune-Goa highway is nothing like driving a sedan. Our drivers are experienced with the big vehicles. They know the road widths, the tight turns in the ghats, and how a fully loaded vehicle behaves at highway speeds. Verified, professional, and courteous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tempo travellers come in 12, 17, and 20 seater configurations. A 12 seater comfortably fits 9-12 passengers, a 17 seater fits 13-17 passengers, and a 20 seater fits 18-20 passengers. For groups over 21, we arrange multiple vehicles or a 26 seater bus on request. For the most comfortable ride on long trips, go one size up from your exact headcount.
The 12 seater tempo traveller is the most affordable at ₹18/km for outstation trips. For local use within Pune, the 4-hour package starts from ₹2,500. Split between 10-12 people, a full-day local booking works out to around ₹375-450 per person, far cheaper than booking individual cabs for everyone. For smaller groups weighing an SUV instead, our Innova vs Ertiga comparison breaks down the cost difference.
Yes, we have local hourly packages: 4 hour, 8 hour, and 12 hour options. The 4-hour package is popular for wedding guest pickups, airport group transfers, or short local events. Minimum booking is 4 hours. Go over the time or km limit and extra charges apply at the per-km or per-hour rate.
Absolutely. Tempo travellers are built for highway travel. Pushback seats, AC, good suspension, and ample luggage space make them a solid pick for trips to Goa (450 km), Shirdi (187 km), Mahabaleshwar (120 km), or even longer hauls like Hyderabad. The ride is a lot more comfortable than a bus, and with a full group the per-person cost is very reasonable.
WhatsApp or call us at +91-88620-92781. Share your group size, pickup location, destination, travel dates, and anything special (extra luggage, early morning departure, etc.). We confirm the vehicle, fare, and all the details within minutes. No advance payment, you pay the driver directly once the trip is complete.
The per-km rates are: 12 seater at ₹18/km, 17 seater at ₹20/km, and 20 seater at ₹22/km. These cover the vehicle and driver. Tolls, parking, and driver night allowance (for outstation) are additional and charged at actuals. The complete fare including all extras is confirmed before you book, with no hidden charges.
Related Guides & Routes
- Tempo traveller on rent in Pune: full service page with vehicle details and booking.
- Outstation cab service in Pune: options for trips beyond the city.
- Innova on rent in Pune: the SUV pick for smaller groups of 6-7.
- Pune to Ashtavinayak cab: a popular multi-day group route.
- Pune outstation travel index: every route we run from Pune in one place.
- Best group travel destinations from Pune: ideas for your next group trip.
- Wedding guest transportation guide: planning transport for wedding parties.
- Pune cab rates per km: the full rate card to work out your fare.
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