How does the Force Traveller 26 compare as a long distance tour vehicle with the newer alternatives?
India tour operators have long used the Force Traveller 26 for their budget travel packages. Nevertheless, with newer, more refined tour vehicles coming up on the market, there's a question of whether the Traveller can last out on long distance drives. A cause of great contention is comfort, particularly Traveller's basic suspension and seating for longer journeys. Newer vehicles are often talked about as being more fuel efficient and faster on highways. But some operators say the Traveller's durability and low maintenance costs still make it a worthwhile option on routes where the roads are poor. Discussions also include passenger preferences, with some travellers enjoying the 'authentic' Indian travel experience that Traveller offers, and others demanding more modern amenities.
I’ve done plenty of long trips in a Traveller and it’s not that bad. It’s not luxury, but it’s part of the adventure. Great big windows for sightseeing and can handle rough roads better than fancier vans.
These days I'd never choose a Traveller for a long tour. It’s slow, uncomfortable, and downright unsafe at highway speeds. In every way, modern tour buses are so much better. The Traveller has no place on long distance routes, but in a museum.
Some tours are really route dependent. Despite the bad roads, the Traveller still makes a great choice for off beat destinations. For highway tours, however, there are certainly more comfortable options now.
If it’s set up right, the Traveller can be a great long trip. Some of them have nice custom interiors. It's not bad at all, add some good seats, better sound insulation, maybe a small fridge and you've got something.
I still use Travellers as a tour operator for some routes. Tourists actually like the "authentic" feel and they're cheap to run. I wouldn't use them for premium tours or on very long distances, but… Basically, it’s about finding the right market for the right vehicle.
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Discussions and Questions How Does The Force Traveller 26 Compare As A Long Distance Tour Vehicle With The Newer Alternatives
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