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Car Hire Guide Sri Lanka

You are allowed to drive a rental car in Sri Lanka as a non-resident, however you are required to obtain a temporary Sri Lankan driving license. An international driving permit is not sufficient. You can obtain the temporary licence from Colombo.

Driving in Sri Lanka can be challenging due to varying road conditions, traffic congestion, and different driving practices. It's advisable to choose a reliable vehicle like a compact car or SUV. Traffic can be busy, especially in urban areas, so driving with caution is essential. 
 

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with many attractions to explore. Here are some popular places to visit and their approximate distances from the main airport and resorts:

  1. Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport to Colombo): Colombo is the capital city and offers a mix of modern and historic attractions. It's about a 30-40 minute drive from the airport.

  2. Kandy (Colombo to Kandy): Kandy is known for its cultural heritage, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It's approximately a 3-4 hour drive from Colombo.

  3. Sigiriya (Kandy to Sigiriya): Sigiriya is famous for its ancient rock fortress. It's about a 2-3 hour drive from Kandy.

  4. Galle (Colombo to Galle): Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit. It's around a 2-3 hour drive from Colombo.

  5. Nuwara Eliya (Kandy to Nuwara Eliya): Known as "Little England," this town offers beautiful landscapes and is about a 2-3 hour drive from Kandy.

  6. Yala National Park (Colombo to Yala): For wildlife enthusiasts, Yala is known for its leopard population. It's approximately a 6-7 hour drive from Colombo.

  7. Ella (Nuwara Eliya to Ella): Ella is famous for its stunning views, hiking trails, and tea plantations. It's about a 2-3 hour drive from Nuwara Eliya.

  8. Dambulla (Kandy to Dambulla): The Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO site and is around a 2-hour drive from Kandy.

  9. Anuradhapura (Colombo to Anuradhapura): This ancient city has historic ruins and is about a 4-5 hour drive from Colombo.

  10. Trincomalee (Colombo to Trincomalee): Known for its beaches and natural harbor, Trincomalee is approximately a 5-6 hour drive from Colombo.

Please note that travel times can vary depending on road conditions and traffic. It's advisable to plan your itinerary and accommodations in advance for a smoother trip.


Cheapest car hire in Sri Lanka

Hyundai Eon

4 Adults, 3 Doors

From 50.49 EUR/day
Hyundai Eon

7 Days rental at 353.43 EUR from 11/12/2023

  2 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Hyundai Eon

4 Adults, 3 Doors

From 50.49 EUR/day
Hyundai Eon

7 Days rental at 353.43 EUR from 11/12/2023

  2 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Mazda Demio

4 Adults, 5 Doors

From 56.36 EUR/day
Mazda Demio

7 Days rental at 394.57 EUR from 11/12/2023

  2 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Nissan Sunny

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 63.83 EUR/day
Nissan Sunny

7 Days rental at 446.84 EUR from 11/12/2023

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Nissan Sunny

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 63.83 EUR/day
Nissan Sunny

7 Days rental at 446.84 EUR from 11/12/2023

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Mazda 3

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 63.83 EUR/day
Mazda 3

7 Days rental at 446.84 EUR from 11/12/2023

  3 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Suzuki Swift

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 56.36 EUR/day
Suzuki Swift

7 Days rental at 394.57 EUR from 11/12/2023

  2 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Nissan March

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 56.36 EUR/day
Nissan March

7 Days rental at 394.57 EUR from 11/12/2023

  2 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Suzuki Swift

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 56.36 EUR/day
Suzuki Swift

7 Days rental at 394.57 EUR from 11/12/2023

  2 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Toyota Previa

7 Adults, 5 Doors

From 144.10 EUR/day
Toyota Previa

7 Days rental at 1008.76 EUR from 11/12/2023

  1 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Toyota Previa

7 Adults, 5 Doors

From 144.10 EUR/day
Toyota Previa

7 Days rental at 1008.76 EUR from 11/12/2023

  1 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Toyota Previa

7 Adults, 5 Doors

From 144.10 EUR/day
Toyota Previa

7 Days rental at 1008.76 EUR from 11/12/2023

  1 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Toyota Corolla

5 Adults, 4 Doors

From 74.84 EUR/day
Toyota Corolla

7 Days rental at 523.94 EUR from 11/12/2023

  4 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Toyota Corolla

5 Adults, 4 Doors

From 74.84 EUR/day
Toyota Corolla

7 Days rental at 523.94 EUR from 11/12/2023

  4 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Toyota Corolla

5 Adults, 4 Doors

From 74.84 EUR/day
Toyota Corolla

7 Days rental at 523.94 EUR from 11/12/2023

  4 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 69.18 EUR/day
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

7 Days rental at 484.29 EUR from 13/12/2021

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Toyota Axio Hybrid

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 82.50 EUR/day
Toyota Axio Hybrid

7 Days rental at 577.52 EUR from 11/12/2023

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Toyota Prius Hybrid

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 82.50 EUR/day
Toyota Prius Hybrid

7 Days rental at 577.52 EUR from 11/12/2023

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Top tips when hiring a car in Sri Lanka

  • Drive on the LEFT side of the road in Sri Lanka, the steering wheel is on the right side of the car
  • The majority or rental cars in Sri Lanka are automatic, making driving just that little bit easier for most
  • The alcohol limit to drive in Sri Lanka is 60mg (0.06% BAC)
  • Speed limits are posted in KM/H, the maximum on the island is 120km/h
 

Popular car hire destinations in Sri Lanka

Laws and rules of the road when driving in Sri Lanka

  •  

    L

    Road Driving Side

  •  

    50kph

    Urban speed Limit

  •  

    70kph

    Rural Speed Limit

  •  

    100kph

    Motorway Speed Limit

  •  

    LKR  232.48/Ltr

    Current Petrol Price

  •  

    60mg

    Drink Drive Limit

  •  

    LKR

    Currency

  •  

    YES

    Tolls

  •  

    21

    Min Rental Age

    18

    Min Driving Age

  •  

    Front and Rear

    Seatbelts

  •  

    Fixed and Mobile

    Speed Cameras

  •  

    Hands Free Only

    Mobile Phones

Average prices per day for car hire in Sri Lanka

ItemPercent
January€ 71
February€ 73
March€ 62
April€ 51
May€ 52
June€ 54
July€ 62
August€ 61
September€ 47
October€ 48
November€ 61
December€ 79
ItemPercent
January€ 56
February€ 57
March€ 50
April€ 40
May€ 40
June€ 42
July€ 45
August€ 47
September€ 34
October€ 37
November€ 48
December€ 75
ItemPercent
January€ 135
February€ 123
March€ 123
April€ 101
May€ 104
June€ 101
July€ 114
August€ 112
September€ 108
October€ 107
November€ 110
December€ 129
ItemPercent
January€ 112
February€ 100
March€ 94
April€ 73
May€ 75
June€ 76
July€ 92
August€ 90
September€ 77
October€ 74
November€ 87
December€ 104
ItemPercent
January€ 200
February€ 167
March€ 169
April€ 137
May€ 138
June€ 140
July€ 153
August€ 155
September€ 147
October€ 147
November€ 144
December€ 194
ItemPercent
January€ 53
February€ 53
March€ 48
April€ 40
May€ 41
June€ 43
July€ 46
August€ 47
September€ 37
October€ 36
November€ 45
December€ 72
ItemPercent
January€ 164
February€ 146
March€ 149
April€ 118
May€ 120
June€ 121
July€ 127
August€ 135
September€ 128
October€ 127
November€ 126
December€ 162
ItemPercent
January€ 171
February€ 163
March€ 161
April€ 152
May€ 166
June€ 152
July€ 153
August€ 157
September€ 163
October€ 147
November€ 136
December€ 174

Select category to see average car hire prices in Sri Lanka

*average daily rates based on 7 day rental, search for today's best prices.

Fuel prices in Sri Lanka

DieselUnleaded
Dec , 2022

€ 1.12

€ 1.33

Jan , 2023

€ 1.03

€ 1.29

Feb , 2023

€ 1.03

€ 1.30

Mar , 2023

€ 1.18

€ 1.49

Apr , 2023

€ 0.92

€ 1.06

May , 2023

€ 0.92

€ 1.08

Jun , 2023

€ 1.09

€ 1.24

Jul , 2023

€ 0.89

€ 1.06

Aug , 2023

€ 0.87

€ 1.07

Sep , 2023

€ 0.99

€ 1.21

Oct , 2023

€ 1.00

€ 1.23

Nov , 2023

€ 0.98

€ 1.17

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Nov , 2023 0.98 1.17
Oct , 2023 1.00 1.23
Sep , 2023 0.99 1.21
Aug , 2023 0.87 1.07
Jul , 2023 0.89 1.06
Jun , 2023 1.09 1.24
May , 2023 0.92 1.08
Apr , 2023 0.92 1.06
Mar , 2023 1.18 1.49
Feb , 2023 1.03 1.30
Jan , 2023 1.03 1.29
Dec , 2022 1.12 1.33

Car rental price statistics in Sri Lanka

  • Average Price Icon
    € 353.43
    Average price:
    (per week)
  • Highest Daily Price Icon
    € 209.44
    Highest daily price:
    Mitsubishi Montero
  • Total Vehicles Icon
    106
    Total cars available
     
  • Most Popular Car Model Icon
    12
    Most popular model:
    Nissan Sunny
  • Locations with Most Cars Icon
    26
    Location with most cars:
    Colombo Bandaranayake - Airport
  • Cheapest Daily Price Icon
    € 50.5 per day
    Cheapest daily price:
    SIXT - Colombo Bandaranayake - Airport
FAQs - How can we help?

There are always some points on which you are not sure when hiring a car, so we have done our best to answer the frequently asked questions. Just click this link and you will find the questions are sorted by category for easy navigation.

Useful links if renting a car in Sri Lanka

Other Car Hire Locations in Sri Lanka

We specialise in car rentals throughout Sri Lanka to find you the best price and that's a promise...

Colombo
€27.6
 
 
Mini 5 4 2 from €27.6 per day
Compact 3 5 3 from €36.0 per day
Economy 5 4 2 from €31.4 per day
Colombo Airport
€27.6
 
 
Mini 5 4 2 from €27.6 per day
Compact 3 5 3 from €36.0 per day
Economy 5 4 2 from €31.4 per day