Diwali in a Maharashtrian home is a full house. Cousins arrive from other cities, grandparents come to stay, the faral boxes are packed, and by the time the last diya is lit someone always says, “Why don’t we all go somewhere together this year?”
It is a lovely idea, and it is also where the planning headache begins. How do twenty or thirty family members travel together without four cars, three phone calls and one argument about who is following whom? For many families, the answer is surprisingly simple: one luxury bus.
This guide explains why a bus makes a Diwali group trip from Pune easier, which size to choose, what it costs per person, where to go, and how to plan around the busiest travel week of the year. We are Shelke Travels in Karve Nagar, and we have been moving families and groups from Pune for more than 30 years.
Diwali 2026: When Families Usually Travel
In 2026, the main Lakshmi Pujan day falls on Sunday, 8 November. The state holiday list also marks Bali Pratipada on Tuesday, 10 November, and adds a special Bhaubeej holiday on 11 November. Check your own office or school calendar to confirm, but the pattern is clear. Many families celebrate Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan at home, then travel together in the days after, when the whole family has time off and the house is full of guests.
This is also why Diwali week is among the busiest travel periods of the year. Good vehicles get booked early, hill stations and temple towns fill up, and highways such as the Mumbai Pune Expressway see heavy traffic on return days. A little planning makes all the difference.
Why a Luxury Bus Makes Family Travel Easier
Everyone Travels Together
On a family trip, the journey is part of the fun. In a bus, uncles, aunts, kids and grandparents sit in the same vehicle, sing along, share the faral and stay in one conversation. When you use several cars, the group splits, someone takes a wrong turn and the day starts with phone calls instead of laughs.
One Driver, One Contact, One Plan
With one bus, you have one verified driver and one person to coordinate with. You share one pickup plan, one route and one return time. That is far simpler than managing five drivers and five fuel stops.
More Comfort for Elders and Children
Grandparents travel better in a spacious, AC bus than squeezed into the back of a small car. Children can stretch, and everyone can take short naps on long drives. Comfort matters more than people expect, especially after the festival excitement and late nights.
Space for Luggage, Gifts and Sweets
A Diwali trip comes with extra baggage: gifts, sweets, faral boxes, shopping and festive clothes. Our luxury buses are built for large group tours with generous luggage space, so bags do not end up on laps.
Lower Cost Per Person for Bigger Groups
This is the biggest practical advantage. A single bus spreads the cost across 30 or 40 people, and the cost per head is usually lower than running multiple cars or smaller vehicles once your group crosses about 25 people. You will see the numbers below.
No Parking and Traffic Juggling
At a busy hill station or temple, finding parking for several cars during Diwali week is a real struggle. One bus means one parking spot, one drop point and one place to meet.
Safer, Calmer Driving
A trained professional driver who knows the ghats and highways takes the pressure off the family members who would otherwise drive. After a festival week of cooking, hosting and late nights, nobody should be behind the wheel for five hours. Our vehicles also come with GPS tracking, which lets you stay connected if the group splits at a stop.
A Cleaner, Quieter Trip for Everyone
A well maintained, AC bus gives the trip a relaxed, organised feel. Nobody is stuck at the wheel, nobody is lost, and everyone is part of the same journey.
When a Bus Is the Right Choice, and When It Is Not
We want you to pick what really suits your group, so here is an honest guide.
- Up to 6 people: A car such as an Ertiga or Innova Crysta is the best fit.
- 9 to 16 people: A Force Urbania gives premium comfort and often costs similar per head to a bus.
- 12 to 26 people: A tempo traveller works well and is easier on narrow roads.
- 20 to 50 people: A bus is clearly the better value, with more space and a lower cost per person.
If your group is large and you are weighing options, tell us the headcount and the plan, and we will recommend the vehicle that works best.
Which Bus Size Should You Choose?
Our current fleet includes these sizes. All come with a driver, AC and GPS tracking.
- 17 seater and 20 seater buses: Good for mid size families and office groups. See our 17 seater bus on rent page.
- 27 seater bus: A comfortable middle choice for joint families and neighbours travelling together.
- 32 seater bus: The most popular size for large Diwali family trips. See our 32 seater bus on rent in Pune page.
- 40 and 45 seater buses: For large gatherings and societies. See our 40 seater bus page.
- 50 seater bus: The biggest option, for very large groups, with more luggage capacity. See our 50 seater luxury bus page.
A simple tip: do not fill every seat. Leave a few free so people can spread out and bags are easy to reach.
Cost Per Person for a 2 Day Diwali Trip
A 2 day outstation package covers 600 km, with fuel, AC, a verified driver and GPS tracking included. Using the current rate chart, here is the base cost per person when the bus is full.
- 17 seater bus, 17 people at ₹23,000: about ₹1,350 per person
- 20 seater bus, 20 people at ₹24,000: about ₹1,200 per person
- 27 seater bus, 27 people at ₹27,000: about ₹1,000 per person
- 32 seater bus, 32 people at ₹30,000: about ₹940 per person
- 40 seater bus, 40 people at ₹39,000: about ₹975 per person
- 50 seater bus, 50 people at ₹42,000: about ₹840 per person
For comparison, a full 16 seater Urbania on the same 2 day package costs about ₹1,240 per person. This is why a bus is usually the better value once the group is large.
What is extra: toll, parking, state permit and the driver night charge, charged at actuals. Rates can also change on festivals and long weekends, and Diwali week is one of them, so always confirm the final fare in writing before you book. Stay, food and entry tickets are separate.
Please read our cancellation and refund policy and terms and conditions before paying an advance.
Diwali Trip Ideas From Pune
Pick a destination that fits your days off. Distances are approximate.
One Day Outings
Lonavala, Lavasa, Mulshi and Sinhagad are easy day trips for a family gathering. Our one day group tour guide explains the planning and the budget.
Two Day Trips
- Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani (about 120 km): Cool mornings, valley views and strawberry stalls. See our Mahabaleshwar page for the route.
- Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur (about 185 km to Shirdi): A peaceful trip for families who want darshan. Read our Shirdi group trip guide.
- Nashik and Trimbakeshwar (about 210 km and 240 km): Temples, the Godavari ghats and vineyards. See our Nashik page.
Three Day Trips
- Konkan coast (Diveagar, Harihareshwar and Ganpatipule): Beaches, temples and fresh seafood. Our Konkan trip plan from Pune covers the route and timings.
- Kolhapur and nearby temples (about 230 km): The Mahalakshmi Temple, Jyotiba and Rankala Lake make a popular family circuit.
- Ashtavinayak darshan: The eight Ganesh temples, which many families plan around festivals.
Four Day Trip
- Goa: A longer holiday, usually 450 km or more each way, so plan an early start and a night halt on the way if needed. See our Goa page.
If you want more ideas for the season, read our guide to the best places to visit in November in Maharashtra.
Planning Around the Diwali Rush
- Book early. Diwali week is peak season, and good buses go first. Contact us as early as you can, even a few weeks ahead if you are planning next year.
- Start before 6:30 AM. Roads fill up quickly, especially around Lonavala and the Expressway.
- Avoid the last evening for the return. Return traffic builds up in the evening of the last holiday. Plan to be back by early afternoon if you can.
- Plan the pickup order. If family members live in different parts of Pune, fix an order in advance and keep it to a few pickup points.
- Keep luggage organised. Label bags, and keep a small bag with water, medicines and snacks within reach.
- Plan rest stops. For groups with elders and children, a break every two hours makes the trip more comfortable.
- Share the driver’s contact with every family head, so nobody is left searching at a stop.
A Sample 2 Day Family Plan: Pune to Mahabaleshwar
Day 1
- Leave Pune at 6:00 AM with a breakfast halt on the way
- Reach Mahabaleshwar by late morning and check in
- Visit Arthur’s Seat and Wilson Point in the afternoon
- Evening at Venna Lake, early dinner and rest
Day 2
- Sunrise at a viewpoint if the group is up for it
- Breakfast, then Pratapgad Fort or Panchgani
- Shopping for chikki and strawberry products
- Start the return by 1:00 PM to beat the evening traffic
Family Trip Checklist
- ID cards for all adults and a contact card for children
- Medicines and a small first aid kit
- Light layers for hill areas, since evenings are cool
- Water bottles, snacks and faral to share
- Power banks and chargers
- Gifts and shopping bags kept separate from main luggage
- A printed list of every person’s phone number
- A simple plan shared with the whole family
Why Plan Your Diwali Trip With Shelke Travels?
- More than 30 years of family and group travel experience in Pune
- Rated 4.4 on Google by travellers
- Verified drivers who know the Expressway, ghats and temple routes
- Clean AC vehicles with GPS tracking
- A clear written quote before you pay
- A real person on the phone, 24/7
You can find more route ideas on our travel blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bus better than cars for a family trip?
For groups of 20 or more, yes. A bus keeps everyone together, costs less per person and removes the stress of parking and coordinating several drivers.
How much does a bus cost for a Diwali trip from Pune?
A 2 day package for a 32 seater bus starts around ₹30,000 as a base fare, which is about ₹940 per person when full. Toll, parking and night charges are extra, and festival dates may be priced differently.
Which bus size is best for a joint family?
A 32 seater is the most popular for large Diwali family trips. A 27 seater suits smaller joint families, and a 40 or 50 seater is better for big gatherings.
How early should I book for Diwali?
As early as possible. Diwali week is one of the busiest of the year. Last minute bookings depend on availability, so call us to check.
Is a bus comfortable for elders and children?
Yes. It is AC, has more room to move than a car and gives elders a smooth, relaxed ride. A driver also removes the stress of driving after a festive week.
What is included in the bus rent?
Fuel, AC, a verified driver and GPS tracking are included. Toll, parking, state permit and driver night charges are extra at actuals.
What if our group is smaller than 20?
A Force Urbania or a tempo traveller is usually a better fit. We will suggest the best option for your headcount.
Can we go to Goa for Diwali by bus?
Yes, but it is a long journey of around 450 km or more each way. Plan an early start, comfortable rest stops and at least three to four days.
wali Group Trip With Us
A family trip should leave you with good memories, not planning stress. Tell us your group size, destination and dates, and we will recommend the right bus and send a clear written quote. Call +91 84840 68364 or send your details on our booking page.
