For group travel in 2026, book a Tempo Traveller when your group is up to 26 people and a bus when you are 27 or more. Tempo Travellers (12-26 seats) are more agile on hill roads and city lanes, while buses (27-56 seats) are best for large tour groups, weddings and corporate events on highways. Both are billed per km and, importantly, charged the same for one-way and round-trip. See live options on our Tempo Traveller page and bus routes page.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Tempo Traveller | Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 12, 16, 17, 20, 26 | 27, 35, 41, 45, 49, 56 |
| Rate | Rs 20-28/km | From Rs 30/km |
| Hill roads | Excellent - agile | Limited on narrow ghats |
| City access | Enters narrow lanes | Restricted in old cities |
| Best for | 8-26 travellers | 27+ travellers |
| One-way pricing | Same as round-trip | Same as round-trip |
When to Choose a Tempo Traveller
- Group of 8-26 - a 12, 17 or 26 seater covers most family and friends trips.
- Hill destinations like Manali, Shimla, Mussoorie or Char Dham where road width matters.
- Old-city sightseeing (Jaipur, Varanasi, Agra) with narrow approach roads.
- You want push-back seats, AC and door-to-door pickup without a large bus.
When to Choose a Bus
- Group of 27+ - a single 35, 45 or 56 seater is cheaper per head than two Tempo Travellers.
- Weddings, corporate offsites and school/college tours on highway routes.
- Longer plains journeys where luggage space and onboard comfort matter.
Cost Logic
Because both vehicles are billed per km with the return factored in, the decision is driven by group size, not one-way vs round-trip. If you are 20 people, a single 20-26 seater Tempo Traveller at Rs 26-28/km beats splitting into two smaller vehicles. If you are 40 people, one 41-45 seater bus from Rs 30/km is far cheaper per head than two Tempo Travellers. Get exact quotes on the Tempo Traveller and bus pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Tempo Traveller cheaper than a bus?
Per vehicle yes, but per person a bus is cheaper once your group exceeds 26. Match the vehicle to headcount.
Do Tempo Travellers and buses charge extra for one-way?
No. One-way is charged the same as round-trip because the vehicle returns to base either way.
How many people fit in the largest Tempo Traveller?
A 26-seater is the largest Tempo Traveller. Beyond that, a bus is the right choice.
