Pre-Booked rickshaw rides for events and tours

Hire out a rickshaw and rider for weddings, festivals, corporate days and private sightseeing tours.

A pedal rickshaw waiting for passengers on a busy city street.
Startup costA$4k to A$15k
Monthly revenueA$800 to A$4k
Time needed6+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$4k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

Instead of waiting on a street stand, you take bookings for set times and places. Examples are bridal arrivals, festival shuttles, hotel guest rides and private city tours with a bit of local commentary.

Your first three steps

  1. Check with your council and state transport authority what approvals you need to carry paying passengers, including on private land and at events
  2. Make a simple package list with prices and photos, then contact local wedding planners, venues and hotels
  3. Ask event organisers and markets about their rules for approved transport providers and how to get on their supplier lists
Who pays

Couples and wedding planners, event organisers, hotels, wineries, councils and tour groups.

How it makes money

A hourly or per-event hire rate, sometimes with a package price for tours or decorated wedding rides. Income is lumpier but each booking pays more reliably.

Skills that help
  • Reliable and well presented
  • Clear communication with clients and organisers
  • Basic marketing and social media
  • Safe riding with passengers in dressy clothes or at slow crowd speeds
Watch out for
  • Permits, road rules and event-site approvals that vary by council and state
  • Public liability and passenger cover, and whether event organisers ask to see a certificate of currency
  • Bookings that depend on weather, so set a clear cancellation and wet-weather policy
  • Seasonal demand, with busy summer and wedding months and quiet periods in between
  • Keeping the rickshaw clean and well maintained for client photos

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: pre-booked rickshaw rides for events and tours

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a rickshaw hire business for events?

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on the rickshaw you buy, any branding or decorations, and your insurance and marketing.

How much can a pre-booked rickshaw business earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many bookings you win, your pricing and the season. Wedding and summer months tend to be busier, with quieter periods between.

What permits and insurance should I check for rickshaw event hire?

Check permits, road rules and event-site approvals, which vary by council and state. Also check public liability and passenger cover, whether organisers want a certificate of currency, and set a clear cancellation and wet-weather policy.

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Photo: Eyefays on Pixabay

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