Tempo Traveller Rental in Kerala — 12, 17 & 26 Seater Options

Group travel in Kerala — whether for a friend circle's holiday, a family reunion, a wedding party, or a pilgrimage group — needs a vehicle that keeps everyone together, comfortable, and on schedule. Tempo travellers are purpose-built for this.

Avancer has been operating group vehicles across Kerala since 2012. Our tempo traveller fleet ranges from compact 12-seaters for smaller groups to spacious 26-seater maharaja coaches for larger parties. Every vehicle comes with an experienced driver who knows Kerala's routes, hill roads, and event logistics.

Seating Options & What Each Offers

Choosing the right seating capacity is about more than headcount. Luggage volume, trip duration, and the kind of roads you'll be travelling all factor into the decision. Here's what each option delivers.

12-Seater Tempo Traveller

The 12-seater is our most versatile group vehicle. It's compact enough to handle narrow hill roads comfortably while offering genuine travel comfort for groups of 8 to 10 passengers with luggage.

• Seating: Push-back reclining seats with armrests — similar in comfort to a premium bus, but with more personal space per passenger.
• Climate control: Roof-mounted AC keeps the cabin cool even during Kerala's humid summer months.
• Entertainment: Music system with aux/Bluetooth connectivity for the group to enjoy on long drives.
• Luggage: Ample rear compartment space for suitcases, backpacks, and travel bags. Overhead racks for smaller items.
• Best for: Friend groups heading to Munnar or Wayanad, small family gatherings, day outings around Kochi, and weekend trips where you want everyone in one vehicle.

17-Seater Tempo Traveller

The 17-seater shares the same comfort features as the 12-seater but with a wider aisle and more rows — making it suitable for medium-sized groups that need a bit more room.

• Comfortable capacity: Seats 12 to 15 passengers comfortably with luggage. All 17 seats can be used for shorter trips with light baggage.
• Same push-back seats: Reclining seats with armrests throughout, maintaining comfort even on multi-day tours.
• Wider aisle: Easier movement within the vehicle, which matters on longer journeys when people need to stretch or access luggage.
• Best for: Medium groups, college excursions, office team outings, pilgrimage groups visiting Sabarimala or Guruvayur, and family events where the group size exceeds what a 12-seater can handle comfortably.

26-Seater Maharaja / Mini Bus

For larger groups — community pilgrimages, extended family vacations, corporate team-building trips — the 26-seater maharaja coach offers bus-level capacity with better amenities than a standard bus.

• Comfortable capacity: Seats 22 to 24 passengers with luggage. The full 26 seats work for shorter trips without heavy bags.
• 2x2 seating configuration: Wider seats arranged in pairs on each side, giving every passenger a window or aisle seat.
• Individual AC vents: Each passenger can control their own airflow — a significant comfort upgrade over shared roof-mounted AC.
• Curtains & overhead storage: Privacy curtains for long journeys and overhead compartments for personal items.
• Best for: Large family events and reunions, community pilgrimages (Sabarimala, Velankanni), corporate team outings, and college tours covering multiple destinations.
• Note: The 26-seater's larger dimensions mean it may face restrictions on narrow hill roads with tight hairpin bends. For destinations like Munnar's upper reaches, a 12 or 17-seater is a better fit.

Popular Group Routes from Kochi

These are the routes our tempo travellers cover most frequently. Each has been driven hundreds of times by our team, so your driver will know the roads, the best rest stops, and the timing required.

• Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey (4–5 days): The classic Kerala circuit. Covers hill stations, spice plantations, wildlife at Periyar, and the backwaters. The 12 or 17-seater handles the Munnar ghat road comfortably.
• Kochi → Wayanad (2–3 days): Wildlife sanctuaries, bamboo forests, and adventure activities. The Thamarassery ghat road is scenic but winding — our drivers navigate it daily.
• Kochi → Athirappilly → Valparai (2 days): Waterfalls and tea estates. A popular weekend circuit that combines Kerala's most famous waterfall with Tamil Nadu's Valparai hill station.
• Sabarimala Pilgrimage Circuit (from Kochi/Ernakulam): Dedicated pilgrimage runs during the Mandalam and Makaravilakku seasons. Our drivers are familiar with the Pamba base camp logistics and parking arrangements.
• Wedding Guest Shuttles (airport → hotel → venue → return): Coordinated multi-vehicle transfers for wedding parties. We handle the scheduling, route planning, and guest coordination so the hosts can focus on the event.
• College Tour: Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom (3–4 days): A popular itinerary for student groups that balances adventure, nature, and budget. The 17-seater is the most-booked vehicle for college excursions.

Tempo Traveller vs Force Urbania — Which Should You Choose?

Both vehicles serve groups of similar size, but they offer distinctly different travel experiences. Here's how they compare.

For budget-conscious groups, the tempo traveller delivers solid comfort at an accessible price point. For weddings, corporate events, or groups wanting a premium feel, the Urbania is a worthwhile upgrade. See our Urbania rental page for more details.

What's Included in Our Rental

When you book a tempo traveller through Avancer, here's what's covered in the quoted fare:

• Professional driver with Kerala route experience: Our drivers know the ghat roads, the city traffic patterns, and the logistics of popular tourist destinations. They're courteous, punctual, and focused on getting your group where it needs to be safely.
• Fuel for the agreed itinerary: All fuel costs for the route discussed at booking are included. No separate fuel surcharges.
• AC throughout the journey: Air conditioning is standard and included in the rate for all our tempo travellers.
• Vehicle permits: State permits for Kerala travel are covered. Inter-state permits (if your trip crosses into Tamil Nadu or Karnataka) are arranged and charged at actuals.
• Driver accommodation on multi-day trips: For overnight tours, the driver arranges his own stay near your hotel. This is a standard arrangement in Kerala's group travel industry.

What's typically extra: Toll charges, parking fees, and entry tickets at tourist attractions. These vary by route and are paid at actuals during the trip.

Booking Tips for Group Travel

A few practical tips from over a decade of running group trips across Kerala:

• Book at least 7–10 days ahead, especially for travel during October to March (peak tourist season) or festival weekends like Onam, Christmas, and Vishu. Tempo travellers are in high demand during these periods, and last-minute availability can be limited.
• Count your group size accurately, including children. It's always better to have one or two empty seats than a cramped ride. A group of 11 adults with luggage will be more comfortable in a 17-seater than squeezed into a 12-seater.
• For hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad), the 12 or 17-seater handles ghat roads better than the 26-seater. The smaller vehicles navigate tight hairpin bends more easily and have better power-to-weight ratios on steep climbs.
• Designate one group member as the trip coordinator who communicates with the driver on behalf of the group. This avoids confusion from multiple people giving different instructions about stops, timings, and route changes.
• For multi-day trips, confirm the driver's overnight arrangement upfront. Most drivers arrange their own accommodation near your hotel, but it helps to confirm this during booking so there are no surprises at the destination.

Frequently Asked Questions