Helen and Mick said they could not imagine leaving it behind.
A British couple have shipped a tuk-tuk back to the UK after spending 75 days travelling across India in the three-wheeler.
Helen and Mick became so attached to their red-and-black Bajaj auto-rickshaw, nicknamed Timmy the Tin Can, that they could not bear to leave it behind when their adventure came to an end.
The couple travelled 4,218 kilometres across India with Timmy, visiting several destinations, including Agra and the iconic Taj Mahal.
With cartoon eyes and a cheerful smile painted on its front, the vehicle became a distinctive companion throughout their journey.
The rickshaw became a treasured part of their travel experience. Instead of coming home with conventional souvenirs, Helen and Mick arranged for Timmy to be shipped by sea to Britain.
But bringing the rickshaw to the UK involved a six-month wait.
On October 23, 2026, Timmy arrived at London Gateway Port, marking the end of its lengthy journey from India to the UK.
Sharing the milestone on Instagram, Helen and Mick said they could not imagine leaving it behind. They also expressed their excitement at finally having Timmy arrive in Britain.
Although Timmy has now made it to Britain, there are still a few hurdles before Helen and Mick can take their beloved three-wheeler home.
The couple have indicated that they need to complete some formalities before the vehicle can be driven on UK roads, leaving its next adventure dependent on the necessary paperwork.
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Their story has also prompted amused and affectionate reactions on social media, with many users delighted by the decision to ship an auto-rickshaw across continents.
One person wrote:
“That’s amazing. How can you leave him in India?”
Meanwhile, others joked about the prospect of spotting a familiar-looking Indian three-wheeler on British streets.
For Helen and Mick, Timmy the Tin Can is clearly much more than an unusual holiday souvenir.
After 75 days and thousands of kilometres travelling together, the tuk-tuk has become part of their story, and they are determined to give it a new lease of life in the UK.
If the remaining formalities go to plan, British roads could soon have a rather unusual addition.
