One of the most common questions we get is: "Which tempo traveller should we book?" It is a fair question. A 12 seater, 17 seater, and 20 seater look similar from the outside, but the on-road experience — especially on Uttarakhand's mountain roads — can be very different. In this guide, we break down each option honestly so you can pick the right vehicle for your group.
12 seater tempo traveller
Layout & space
The 12 seater uses a 2+1 seating layout, meaning two seats on one side of the aisle and one on the other. This gives each passenger noticeably more elbow room. Legroom is generous, and the seats push back to a comfortable recline angle. Luggage space in the rear carrier is sufficient for 12 medium-sized bags.
Best for
- Groups of 8–10 people (the extra seats mean no one feels cramped)
- Mountain trips — Char Dham, Kedarnath, Manali, Nainital
- Families with elderly members who need extra comfort
- Long-distance drives exceeding 8 hours
Pricing
Typically ₹18–₹23 per km depending on model (standard, deluxe, or luxury). For a 5-day Uttarakhand trip covering 1,200 km, expect ₹22,000–₹28,000 for the vehicle.
17 seater tempo traveller
Layout & space
The 17 seater uses a 2+2 layout — two seats on each side of the aisle. The vehicle is the same length as a 12 seater but with more seats fitted in, so legroom and seat width are slightly reduced. Luggage space is tighter with 17 bags, so packing light is advisable.
Best for
- Groups of 13–15 people who want to keep costs low
- Shorter trips (2–3 days) where extended seating comfort is less critical
- Highway destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun where roads are smooth
- Budget-conscious college and office groups
Pricing
Ranges from ₹22–₹27 per km. For the same 5-day, 1,200 km trip, expect ₹26,000–₹33,000. Per person cost is lower than a 12 seater because you are splitting among more people.
20 seater tempo traveller / mini bus
Layout & space
The 20 seater is a larger vehicle, often based on a minibus chassis. It has a 2+2 layout with slightly narrower aisles. The seats are functional but not as plush as the 12 seater's luxury variants. Luggage capacity is the best of the three, with a large rear compartment and sometimes a roof carrier.
Best for
- Groups of 16–18 people
- School and college trips where numbers are fixed and budgets are tight
- Highway-only routes — the larger wheelbase makes tight mountain bends more challenging
- Trips to Haridwar, Rishikesh, and lower Uttarakhand where roads are wider
Important limitation
A 20 seater is not recommended for high-altitude Uttarakhand routes like Kedarnath, Badrinath, or Gangotri. The narrow mountain roads, tight hairpin bends, and low-clearance bridges make larger vehicles impractical and sometimes dangerous. For Char Dham and other high-mountain pilgrimages, stick to a 12 or 17 seater.
Pricing
Approximately ₹25–₹30 per km. For 5 days and 1,200 km: ₹30,000–₹36,000. Per person cost is the lowest of all three options.
Side-by-side comparison
- Comfort: 12 Seater wins. The 2+1 layout and reclining seats make it the most comfortable for long mountain drives.
- Capacity: 20 Seater wins. If you have a large group and a highway destination, it fits the most people.
- Mountain suitability: 12 Seater is best. 17 Seater is manageable. 20 Seater is limited to lower regions.
- Per-person cost: 20 Seater is cheapest per head, followed by 17, then 12.
- Luggage space: 20 Seater has the most room. 12 Seater is adequate. 17 Seater can be tight with full capacity.
Our recommendation
For most Uttarakhand trips, the 12 seater is the sweet spot. It handles mountain roads beautifully, the comfort level is excellent for 8–10 hour drives, and the per-person cost remains very affordable when split among 10 people. If your group is larger than 14, consider booking two 12 seaters instead of one 20 seater — the comfort difference on mountain roads is dramatic.
For strictly highway trips (Delhi to Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun), the 17 or 20 seater is a perfectly fine and more economical choice.
Not sure which vehicle suits your trip? Call us at +91-9599639342. Tell us your group size and destination, and we will recommend the perfect option in under a minute.
