Tempo Traveller Hire in Jaipur for Group Tours: Rates, Seating & Rajasthan Routes

The Martins arrived in Jaipur as a party of eleven: three generations, two toddlers, one grandmother with a walking stick and more suitcases than anyone could count. They had first thought of booking three separate cars. Then they realised that would mean three drivers, three sets of directions, constant phone calls to find each other, and the children split from their grandparents on every drive. Instead, they hired a single twelve-seat Tempo Traveller. For ten days, the whole family rode together, sang songs on the long drives, shared snacks and stories, and arrived everywhere at the same time.

For families, friends, wedding parties and small tour groups, Tempo Traveller hire in Jaipur is often the simplest and most economical way to see Rajasthan together. This guide covers current rates, the different seating layouts and sizes, the most popular group routes from Jaipur, and the checks that make group travel safe and comfortable.

---

Tempo Traveller Rates in Jaipur

Tempo Travellers are priced like cars, with a per kilometre rate on outstation tours and fixed packages for local sightseeing. Rates depend on the number of seats, the level of comfort and the age of the vehicle. The figures below are on the higher side, reflecting newer vehicles with good air conditioning and experienced drivers.

Vehicle	Outstation Per Km (INR)	Local 8 hrs / 80 km (INR)	Daily Minimum Outstation (km)
9-seat luxury Tempo Traveller	30 – 36	7,000 – 8,500	250
12-seat Tempo Traveller	26 – 30	5,500 – 6,500	250
15 to 17-seat Tempo Traveller	29 – 34	6,500 – 7,500	250
20-seat Tempo Traveller	34 – 38	8,000 – 9,000	250
26-seat Tempo Traveller	38 – 44	9,000 – 10,500	250
Force Urbania (10 to 17 seats)	38 – 48	9,000 – 11,500	250

On outstation tours, a driver allowance of INR 600 to INR 800 per night is added. Tolls are higher than for cars, usually 60 to 80 percent more, and parking at monuments costs INR 150 to INR 400 for larger vehicles. On a typical full day of outstation driving, a twelve-seat Tempo Traveller costs about INR 7,100 to INR 8,300 including the driver allowance, before tolls and parking.

Local sightseeing within Jaipur uses the 8-hour, 80-kilometre package. Extra hours cost INR 450 to INR 700 per hour and extra kilometres are charged at the outstation rate. A half-day package of 4 hours and 40 kilometres costs about 60 percent of the full-day rate.

Airport transfers are priced separately. A twelve-seat Tempo Traveller from Jaipur airport to a central hotel costs INR 2,500 to INR 3,500, and a twenty-six-seat vehicle INR 4,500 to INR 6,000.

State permits matter for group vehicles. A Jaipur-registered Tempo Traveller pays no extra permit while travelling within Rajasthan, which keeps group tours inside the state cost-effective. If your route crosses into Uttar Pradesh for Agra, or Delhi, an interstate permit is needed, typically INR 3,000 to INR 6,000 per state for a week, depending on the number of seats.

Per person, Tempo Travellers offer excellent value. For a group of ten sharing a twelve-seat vehicle for a full outstation day, the cost works out to roughly INR 800 to INR 950 per person per day, far less than separate cars for the same group.

Luxury Tempo Travellers, often called Maharaja or VIP models, come with fewer, wider seats, reclining captain chairs, LED lights, charging points, a small television and sometimes a refrigerator. They suit senior travellers, corporate groups and long tours where comfort matters more than seat count. Expect to pay 15 to 25 percent more than a standard model with the same number of seats.

Prices rise during peak months from October to March, and sharply during Christmas, New Year, Diwali and the wedding season from November to February. Booking four to eight weeks ahead secures a newer vehicle, and booking earlier is wise for wedding dates.

When comparing quotes, check whether tolls, permits, parking and driver allowance are included, and confirm the exact vehicle model, its registration year and the number of seats, as layouts vary between operators.

---

Seating Layouts and Which Size to Choose

Tempo Travellers come in many layouts, and choosing the right size makes a big difference to comfort. A good rule is to leave at least one or two seats empty for every ten passengers, to give space for hand luggage, cameras and stretching on long drives.

The nine-seat luxury layout usually has three rows of two wide captain chairs plus a rear bench, with plenty of legroom. It suits groups of six to seven adults who want car-like comfort, or senior travellers on long tours.

The twelve-seat layout, with a 2+1 seating pattern, is the most popular choice for families and small groups of eight to ten. The aisle runs along one side, making it easy to move to the back, and each row has push-back seats. It has a rooftop carrier for luggage, plus space behind the last row for smaller bags.

The fifteen to seventeen-seat layouts suit groups of twelve to fourteen. They are longer, with more rows, and a 2+1 or 2+2 seating pattern depending on the model. They work well for wedding guests, school groups and friends travelling together, but they are slightly slower on narrow village roads.

The twenty and twenty-six-seat layouts are mini-coaches, ideal for large family groups, corporate outings and wedding transfers. They are best for city sightseeing and main highways, as their size makes them less practical in the narrow lanes of old cities. They are usually fitted with 2+2 seating and larger luggage holds.

The Force Urbania is a newer, premium alternative with a more modern design. It offers a smoother ride, better suspension, stronger air conditioning and a quieter cabin than the traditional Force Tempo Traveller. Urbania models come in ten, thirteen and seventeen-seat layouts, and many groups now prefer them for long Rajasthan tours.

Luggage is the most common problem on group trips. A standard twelve-seat vehicle can take about eight to ten large suitcases on the roof carrier and a few more inside. For international groups with one large suitcase and one carry-on per person, choose a vehicle with two to three seats more than the group size, or ask for a model with a rear luggage area. Make sure the roof carrier has a waterproof cover, as dust and occasional winter rain can damage bags.

Air conditioning is vital. Tempo Travellers usually have roof-mounted air conditioning with vents above each seat. In older vehicles, the cooling at the back can be weak, especially in hot weather. Ask for a vehicle less than three to four years old, and request one with separate rear air conditioning if travelling between March and October.

For families with small children, request child seats in advance, as they are not standard in Tempo Travellers. For elderly travellers, ask for a vehicle with a step or handrail at the door.

---

Popular Rajasthan Group Routes

Jaipur is the natural base for group travel in Rajasthan, with good roads to every major city. Here are the routes most often booked for groups, with distances and realistic costs for a twelve-seat Tempo Traveller including driver allowance, tolls and parking.

The Jaipur city tour is the starting point for most groups. A full day covers Amber Fort, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Albert Hall Museum. Large vehicles cannot drive up to Amber Fort, so the group walks up the ramp or takes jeeps from the base, at about INR 1,000 to INR 1,200 per jeep. A full-day city tour costs INR 6,000 to INR 7,500.

The Ajmer and Pushkar day trip is popular with groups of all faiths. Ajmer, 135 kilometres from Jaipur, is home to the shrine of the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, and Pushkar, 15 kilometres further, has its sacred lake and temples. The round trip covers about 300 kilometres and costs INR 9,500 to INR 11,500.

The Jaipur to Ranthambore trip covers 160 kilometres each way. Groups usually stay two nights and take two safaris in shared open canters, as large vehicles cannot enter the park. A two-day trip costs about INR 17,000 to INR 20,000 for the vehicle.

The Golden Triangle from Jaipur runs to Agra, Delhi and back, about 800 to 900 kilometres over four to five days. Because the route crosses into Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, interstate permits are added. The vehicle cost is about INR 38,000 to INR 48,000 for five days.

The Rajasthan grand circuit from Jaipur covers Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Pushkar over ten to twelve days and about 2,200 to 2,500 kilometres. For a twelve-seat vehicle, expect INR 80,000 to INR 98,000 in total. Twenty and twenty-six-seat vehicles cost proportionally more.

Wedding groups often hire Tempo Travellers for airport and railway pickups, transfers between hotels and the wedding venue, and short sightseeing trips. Many Jaipur and Udaipur wedding venues sit outside the city, so group vehicles are essential. Wedding transport is usually charged per transfer or per day, at INR 3,500 to INR 6,500 per vehicle per transfer within the city, depending on size.

The Shekhawati weekend is a newer favourite with groups from Jaipur. The painted towns of Mandawa, Nawalgarh and Fatehpur sit about three to four hours north, and a two-day, one-night trip covers about 450 to 500 kilometres. For a twelve-seat vehicle, expect INR 14,000 to INR 17,000. The narrow lanes inside these towns are better seen on foot, with the vehicle waiting at the edge of the old quarter.

---

Booking Checks for Group Travel

A few checks make group tours safer and smoother.

Confirm the exact vehicle model, its registration year and seat layout in writing. Ask for a photo of the actual vehicle, including the inside. Newer vehicles have better air conditioning, more comfortable seats and fewer breakdowns.

Check the vehicle's papers. Commercial Tempo Travellers must carry a valid tourist permit, fitness certificate, insurance and pollution certificate. A reputable company keeps these up to date and can share copies if asked.

Ask about the driver's experience with large vehicles and groups. Driving a twenty-six-seat vehicle on Rajasthan highways requires skill and patience, especially on narrow roads and steep ramps. Experienced drivers also know which hotels have parking for large vehicles and which roads are too narrow.

Keep daily driving within limits. For safety, avoid driving more than eight or nine hours a day, and avoid night driving on rural roads. For long transfers, such as Jaipur to Jaisalmer, split the drive with an overnight stop.

Appoint one person as the group coordinator, who stays in touch with the driver and the tour company. A WhatsApp group with the driver, the office and the coordinator keeps everyone informed of timings and changes.

Agree on a clear daily schedule, including pickup times, lunch stops and rest breaks. Large groups take longer to board and leave, so build in 15 to 20 minutes of extra time at each stop.

Agree on payment terms before the trip. Most companies take an advance of 20 to 30 percent and collect the balance during or at the end of the tour. For wedding groups, where many transfers happen over a few days, ask for a written schedule of every pickup and drop with the agreed charge, so the final bill is easy to check.

Discuss rules on board with the group. Most operators do not allow smoking or alcohol inside the vehicle, and food should be kept simple to avoid spills on long drives. A small bin bag, tissues and hand sanitiser near the front seat help keep the cabin clean for everyone.

Finally, think about the driver. On long group tours, a single driver handles heavy traffic, long hours and many stops. Allow him proper rest, avoid late-night requests after full travel days, and include him in group meals when it feels natural. A group tip at the end of the tour of INR 700 to INR 1,200 per day is customary for good service.

Heritage India Private Tours is based in Jaipur and provides Tempo Travellers and Force Urbanias for family groups, friends and wedding parties across Rajasthan and North India. Every vehicle is regularly serviced, air-conditioned and driven by an experienced driver used to group travel.