Car Rental in Sri Lanka - The Best Choice for Traveling Around the Island. Where and How to Rent a Car?

Traveling around Sri Lanka is a unique experience full of bright impressions, magical landscapes, and extraordinary culture. One of the best ways to explore this picturesque island is to rent a car. Car rental provides freedom of movement, allows you to visit secluded corners, and gets you closer to local life than any other form of transport.

In our article, we will cover all aspects of car rental in Sri Lanka: from choosing the right car to tips for safe driving. We will also share tips from experienced travelers and consider alternative ways of traveling around the island.

Renting a car in Sri Lanka offers unique advantages for travelers:

1. Freedom in route planning: Full freedom of action, independent route planning, stops at any interesting places.
2. Convenience in exploring the island: The ability to visit many unique places in a short time, which is impossible with public transport.
3. Access to remote places: Exploration of secluded beaches, small villages, and hidden temples inaccessible to standard tourist routes.

Car rental is not only convenient but also an exciting way to travel for a full immersion in island life.

Who to Rent a Car From?

There are several major companies in Sri Lanka offering car rental services. One of the most convenient and popular ways to rent a car is through the Telegram channel "Car Rental 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka". By following the link to the channel, you will find an extensive list of over 100 cars for every taste and budget.

By choosing a suitable car, you can request its delivery to any point on the island. This is especially convenient for tourists arriving at the airport as the car can be delivered directly to your arrival location. Additionally, you do not need to worry about returning the car to the same place — company drivers are ready to pick up the car from any specified point.

Variety of Fleet

Wide selection of rental cars

The fleet includes a variety of cars to meet different needs and preferences. Here you can find sedans, minivans, SUVs, retro cars, and sports convertibles, making it easy and convenient to choose the perfect car for traveling around Sri Lanka.

Popular models and affordable prices

The most popular models in the fleet are the Honda Fit and Toyota Prius, with rental prices around 10,000 rupees per day. The Suzuki Wagon is also popular among tourists due to its affordable price of 9,000 rupees per day. For those who prefer a higher level of comfort, the Honda Vezel is offered at around 14,000 rupees per day.

Discounts for long-term rental

Long-term car rental comes with significant discounts. This makes a long stay on the island more advantageous and convenient in terms of mobility.

Car delivery conditions

The service provides car delivery to the airport for 5,000 rupees and to the south of the island for 3,000 rupees, ensuring convenience and time savings for customers.

Mileage limit system for car preservation

Most cars in the fleet are equipped with a daily mileage limit system of 100-150 kilometers. This helps control car usage and contributes to its preservation.

The full list of cars available for rent can be found on the channel Car Rental 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka.

What Information to Provide the Operator for Renting a Car?

To rent a car, it is important to provide the Operator with all necessary information for smooth and convenient service arrangement. Here is a detailed description of what information and why it is important:

1. Ad number from the channel 🚘 Car Rental 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: Each car in the channel has a unique number, which helps avoid confusion and ensures you get exactly the car you chose.
2. ⏰ Rental period (dates from - to): Knowing the exact rental dates allows the operator to guarantee the availability of the chosen car on the specified days and calculate the total rental cost.
3. 📍 Car delivery and return location: Specifying the exact delivery location (with geolocation) ensures timely and accurate car delivery. If the return location is already known, this helps the operator plan the vehicle logistics.
4. 📠 WhatsApp and Telegram contact number: These contacts are needed for quick and effective communication between you and the operator. In case of questions or changes, the operator can quickly contact you.
5. 🪧 Sign text for airport pickup + ✈️ Flight number: If you are arriving at the airport and need a pickup, providing these details will help you recognize your driver at the airport.
6. Driver's license photo for contract preparation: This point is important for preparing the car rental agreement.

Providing this information is key to a smooth car rental process.

How to Pay for Car Rental?

Paying for car rental in Sri Lanka can be done in several ways, making the process convenient and flexible for customers from all over the world.

Payment in cash in US dollars or rupees: You can pay for the rental in cash when receiving the car. For convenience, the current exchange rate of the US dollar to the rupee is used, which you can find via this link. When paying in dollars, you will also receive change at this rate.

Payment in rubles via Sberbank: For those who prefer to pay for the rental in rubles, there is an option to transfer funds to a Sberbank account at the rate specified on the channel ♻️ Currency Exchange Sri Lanka.

Prepayment in some cases: Although usually prepayment for car rental is not required, in certain situations the operator may ask you to make a prepayment of 10% of the total rental cost. This mostly occurs if your booking falls during peak tourist season or if you book the car several weeks before the rental start date. Prepayment guarantees that the car you booked will be reserved exclusively for you and will not be offered to other customers.

What Else is Needed for Car Rental

In addition to the rental payment, there are a few other important points to consider when renting a car in Sri Lanka:

Refundable security deposit: You will need to make a security deposit of 200 US dollars. This deposit is standard practice for car rentals and serves as a guarantee to cover potential damages or losses that may occur to the car during the rental period. The deposit is fully refundable at the end of the rental period if the car is returned in the same condition it was provided.

Providing an international driver's license or a temporary Sri Lankan driver's license: To drive a car in Sri Lanka, an international driver's license or a specially issued temporary Sri Lankan driver's license is required. This is necessary to comply with local legal requirements and ensure legal protection in case of road incidents or police checks. A temporary driver's license can be obtained on-site in Sri Lanka or in advance through the operator.

These additional requirements ensure the safety and legality of the car rental process, as well as peace of mind and confidence while traveling around the island.

Driver's License Requirements in Sri Lanka

To drive a car in Sri Lanka, according to local legislation, you need to have one of the following types of driver's licenses. This is due to the fact that driving without the appropriate documents can result in fines and other legal consequences:

1. Sri Lankan national driver's license with a minimum of 3 years of driving experience (or 5 years for driving an SUV).

2. Temporary Sri Lankan driver's license.

3. International driver's license.

How to Get a Temporary Sri Lankan Driver's License

To legalize Russian driver's licenses in Sri Lanka, you need to contact the Department of Motor Traffic to obtain a Temporary Sri Lankan Driver’s License.

Address: Department of Motor Traffic DMT RMV, located at Department of Motor Traffic Rd, Boralesgamuwa. The license legalization department is in building N. (location on the map)

Contact phone: +94 11 251-89-26.

Working hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00.

Website: https://dmt.gov.lk/

Documents to bring with you:

• Passport.
• Copies of the first page of the passport and the visa page.
• Your driver's license and its copies.

Document copies can be made in the building opposite the entrance to the department. If you have any questions about the procedure inside the department, do not hesitate to ask the staff for help. Assistance inside the building is provided for free.

Temporary license issuance process: You take a ticket and approach the window labeled “Foreign Licenses”, where your documents will be processed, and then you will have your photo taken. You will then be directed to several other windows for further processing and payment. Upon exit, you will be issued an A4 format document with stamps. Processing time is about 1 hour, cost is 1,000 rupees.

Validity period of temporary licenses: Issued licenses are valid for the duration of your tourist visa. If you plan to stay in Sri Lanka for more than a month, it is recommended to extend your visa first and then contact the Department of Motor Traffic.

How to Get a Temporary Driver's License in Sri Lanka Remotely?

To obtain a Temporary Driver's License, you need to provide the operator with the following documents and information:

1. National driver's license: You need to provide clear photos of both sides of your valid national driver's license.
2. Photo of your face on a white background: You will need to provide a clear photo of your face taken on a white background. This can be done with a phone. This photo will be used as your photo on the temporary driver's license.
3. Photo of your passport: You need to provide a photo of the passport page with personal data. This is necessary to verify your identity and match the data in the driver's license.

💵 Processing fee: The driver's license will cost 60 US dollars.

The procedure for issuing the driver's license will take only 1 day.

🚘 License delivery: The issued driver's license will be delivered to you along with the rented car or by courier to the specified location.

These simple steps allow you to easily and quickly obtain the necessary documents for driving in Sri Lanka.

Best Route for Traveling Around Sri Lanka by Car

Traveling around Sri Lanka by car in 7 days will start from the south of the island, passing through scenic spots and cultural landmarks. Here is the optimal route for your trip:

Day 1: Galle Start your journey from the city of Galle, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed fort. Explore the old streets and visit the Galle Lighthouse. Stay overnight in one of the cozy hotels in the city.

Day 2: Mirissa Head to Mirissa Beach, known for its surfing opportunities and whale watching. Here you can also enjoy magnificent sunsets and beautiful beaches. Spend the night in Mirissa.

Day 3: Yala Next, head to Yala National Park, where you can go on a safari and see leopards, elephants, and many other animals. We recommend staying overnight in a hotel near the park.

Day 4: Ella After Yala, head to Ella, a picturesque mountain town. Be sure to visit the Nine Arch Bridge and the Ravana Falls. Spend the night in Ella, enjoying the mountain air.

Day 5: Kandy The next stop is the city of Kandy, known for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Also visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Stay overnight in one of the many hotels in Kandy.

Day 6: Dambulla and Sigiriya From Kandy, head to Dambulla to explore the cave temple, then visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. We recommend staying in this area overnight.

Day 7: Negombo End your journey in the city of Negombo, located near the international airport. Here you can relax on the beach and sum up the trip before heading home.

This route is convenient for car travelers. The distance between cities and key stops varies from about 100 to 150 kilometers, making the trips comfortable and not tiring. Such distribution allows you to enjoy the road without rushing and leaves enough time to explore each place. This is the ideal option for those who want to see the best that Sri Lanka has to offer without spending too much time on the road.

Car Rental with a Driver in Sri Lanka

Renting a car with a driver is a convenient and popular option for traveling around Sri Lanka, especially for those who prefer comfort and do not want to drive in an unfamiliar country.

Cost of Renting a Car with a Driver

The average price for renting a car with a driver is about 130 rupees per kilometer. This cost includes the daily driver fee of 3,000 rupees. This amount includes both the rental cost of the vehicle and the driver's services, including their knowledge of the area, driving experience, and help with route planning.

How to Order a Car with a Driver?

To rent a car with a driver, you need to contact the company operator. The specialist will help you choose a suitable car according to your wishes and needs. After selecting the car, the operator will prepare a request including the travel route and rental dates.

Advantages of renting with a driver

• Knowledge of the area: Drivers are well acquainted with local roads and traffic features, ensuring safe and efficient travel around the island.
• Time and effort saving: You do not need to spend time studying routes and navigating, the entire route will be planned for you.
• Comfort and convenience: You can relax and enjoy the trip without worrying about driving and parking.
• Flexibility in planning: The driver can suggest interesting places to visit and help adapt the route according to your interests and wishes.

Renting a car with a driver in Sri Lanka is not only convenient but also an opportunity to get a deeper travel experience thanks to the local knowledge and experience of the driver.

Taxi and Transfer in Sri Lanka

You can order a taxi at the airport, but expect a high fare. You can also write to the Telegram group Taxi and Transfer 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka and inform them about your upcoming trip. They will offer you various transfer options with different prices and cars. You can also find fellow travelers there and arrange a shared trip with other tourists. This option will be significantly cheaper.

From the operator Taxi and Transfer 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka you can order a taxi in advance, at a convenient time for you, especially this is in demand upon arrival at the airport, this will help you avoid unnecessary hassle and extra costs at the beginning of your trip.

Conclusion

Renting a car in Sri Lanka opens up a world of independence and convenience for travelers, allowing you to explore the island on your own terms. With a variety of available cars, everyone can choose the best option for their needs and budget. Car rental gives a unique opportunity to enjoy scenic routes and the unparalleled beauty of Sri Lanka.

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Rental in Sri Lanka

Question: Can I rent a car in Sri Lanka without a driver?

Answer: Yes, you can rent a car without a driver if you have an international driver's license or a temporary Sri Lankan driver's license. However, keep in mind the complexity of local road conditions and traffic rules.

Question: What is the average cost of renting a car in Sri Lanka?

Answer: The cost of renting a car in Sri Lanka varies depending on the type of car and the rental period. On average, prices start from 10,000 rupees per day for an economy class and can increase depending on the car class and additional services.

Question: Can I return the rented car in a different place from where I picked it up?

Answer: Yes, many companies offer a car return service at a different location. However, an additional fee may be charged for this service. It is recommended to clarify the conditions and cost of this service in advance with your rental company.