Madhya Pradesh, India · for visitors from abroad
Visiting Madhya Pradesh from abroad: hire a vehicle with a driver
Fly into Indore (IDR) or Bhopal (BHO), or Khajuraho for the temples, and post your trip once on Yippigo: verified operators quote a car, tempo traveller or Urbania with a driver for your whole stay. Compare itemised quotes and pay the operator you choose directly. Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar) is 57 km (35 miles) from Indore by road.
This site is in English. Prices are in Indian rupees (₹).
- Free to post
- Compare quotes
- 25% advance only after you choose
Photo: Marcin Białek, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
- Fly into
- Indore or Bhopal
- Indore to Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar)
- 57 km (35 miles)
- 2–6 people
- Car (SUV) or 12-seat tempo traveller with driver
- Best season
- October to March
- Prices
- In Indian rupees (₹); pay the operator directly
How many are travelling?
Slide to your group size: the vehicle that fits, with its day fare and the fare from Indore to the main sights.
Fits your group
SUV / Innova
6–7 seats
₹4,700–6,300 for a full day (250 km)
Indore → Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar)
₹4,700–6,300
SUV / Innova · 57 km one way · 1 day, round trip
Tap a route:
Indicative fares from the tables on this page (see the notes under them); operators quote the exact price.
Where to land
- Indore (IDR): Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport: the busiest in the state, with some international flights; the start for Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Mandu.
- Bhopal (BHO): Raja Bhoj Airport, domestic flights: the start for Sanchi, Bhimbetka and Pachmarhi.
- Khajuraho (HJR), Jabalpur (JLR), Gwalior (GWL): Domestic airports for the temples, the tiger reserves and the northern forts; many visitors connect through Delhi or Mumbai.
From Indore by road
One way, by road, from our route catalog. Plan 8–10 hours of driving a day at most.
| To | Distance | Drive, with stops |
|---|---|---|
| Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar) | 57 km (35 miles) | 1.5–2.5 h |
| Omkareshwar | 79 km (49 miles) | 2–3 h |
| Maheshwar | 95 km (59 miles) | 2–3 h |
| Mandu | 84 km (52 miles) | 2–3 h |
| Sanchi | 235 km (146 miles) | 5–6 h |
| Bhimbetka Rock Shelters | 242 km (150 miles) | 5–6 h |
| Pachmarhi | 370 km (230 miles) | 9–10 h |
| Khajuraho | 622 km (386 miles) | 12–14 h |
How it works
1. Post your trip
Arrival airport and date, the places you want to see, how many people and how much luggage. In English; it takes two minutes and costs nothing.
2. Verified operators quote
Operators near your pickup send itemised quotes: the vehicle, the driver's daily allowance, night halts, tolls and any state entry taxes, each on its own line.
3. Compare and ask
Ask each operator about the vehicle's model and age, whether the driver speaks English, and how they take payment.
4. Book and pay the operator
Accept the quote you prefer and pay the operator's advance directly, by a method you agree with them.
Is it safe to hire a driver?
- An operator sends a quote only with a vehicle whose papers (registration, insurance, permit and fitness certificate) our team has checked and approved.
- Every quote names the operator, so you can ask for the vehicle number and the driver's name and phone before the trip.
- Distances between Madhya Pradesh's sights are long: plan days of 6–8 hours of driving at most.
Travelling with a driver: what is usual
- Drivers on multi-day trips stay where you stay or in drivers' rooms; the quote shows the driver allowance and night halts.
- Tipping the driver at the end of a trip is common but optional.
- Most drivers speak Hindi and some English: ask in your request.
Paying
- You pay the operator directly; the quote says how much advance the operator asks.
- Payment methods depend on the operator: many take UPI and bank transfer, which may not work with a foreign card or bank. Agree on payment before you accept the quote.
- Prices on this site are in Indian rupees (₹).
Words you will hear
- Tempo traveller :
- a 12 to 26-seat van with a driver, the usual vehicle for groups of 10 to 25
- Jyotirlinga :
- one of twelve especially sacred Shiva shrines across India; two are in Madhya Pradesh
- Darshan :
- seeing and praying before the deity in a temple
- Bhasma Aarti :
- the pre-dawn ceremony at Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain, booked in advance
- Safari permit :
- the forest department's booking for a jeep ride into a tiger reserve
- Driver allowance (bata) :
- a daily amount for the driver's food, paid on top of the vehicle hire and listed on the quote
Questions groups ask
Can I book a vehicle with a driver from Indore airport?
Yes. Post the trip with Indore airport (IDR) as the pickup and your arrival date; operators quote the airport pickup and the whole tour.
Do I need an international driving licence?
Not for this: every vehicle comes with a local driver, so you do not drive yourself.
Can visitors from abroad enter the temples?
Most temples in Madhya Pradesh welcome visitors of any faith for darshan; dress modestly, remove shoes and follow the rules on phones and cameras.
How far are the main sights from Indore?
Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar) 57 km (35 miles); Omkareshwar 79 km (49 miles); Maheshwar 95 km (59 miles); Mandu 84 km (52 miles); Sanchi 235 km (146 miles); Bhimbetka Rock Shelters 242 km (150 miles); Pachmarhi 370 km (230 miles); Khajuraho 622 km (386 miles). Measured by road.
Which vehicle for my group?
2 people: AC Coach 50–56 seater; 4 people: Sedan; 7 people: SUV / Innova; 12 people: Tempo Traveller 12-seater + Force Urbania (luxury van); 17 people: Tempo Traveller 17-seater + Force Urbania (luxury van); 26 people: Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater.
How much advance do operators ask?
25% of the quote, paid to the operator to confirm. Payment methods depend on the operator; agree them before you accept. No Yippigo fee: free until 31 December 2026.
- Free to post
- Compare itemised quotes
- Pay the operator a 25% advance only after you accept a quote
- Operators quote only once their vehicle's papers are approved