The short answer
- Car with driver
- About US$50 to 70 a day
- Van for 5 to 8 people
- About US$75 to 100 a day
- Average road speed
- 30 to 40 km/h in the hills
- Tip for your driver
- About US$5 to 10 a day
Sri Lanka looks small on a map, but roads are narrow and winding outside the expressways, and a 100 km drive can take three hours. That is why hiring a car with a driver is the most popular way to travel: it is good value for two or more people, and your driver often doubles as a local guide.
Your options compared
| Option | Rough cost | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car with driver | US$50 to 70 a day | Couples and families; flexible routes | Commission stops at shops; agree the plan first |
| Van with driver | US$75 to 100 a day | Groups of 5 to 8 | Book ahead in peak season |
| Train | A few dollars | The hill country and the south coast line | Slow, and the hill line is only partly running |
| Bus | Under US$5 for most trips | Budget travellers | Crowded, fast drivers, little luggage space |
| Tuk tuk and apps | Short trips | Towns and short hops | Agree a fare or use PickMe or Uber |
| Guided tour | From about US$100 a day | Everything arranged, including hotels | Fixed dates on group tours |
Prices per vehicle per day for drivers, including fuel and the driver's food and lodging. Checked October 2026.
Hiring a car with a driver
- What is included: The vehicle, fuel, the driver, and the driver's meals and accommodation. Many hotels have driver rooms.
- What is not: Your meals and hotels, entry fees, safari jeeps and expressway tolls in some quotes. Ask.
- Driver or chauffeur guide: A licensed chauffeur guide can explain the sites; ordinary drivers usually do not go inside with you.
- Tipping: About US$5 to 10 a day is usual, given at the end.
How long will each drive take?
Realistic driving times between the main stops. Darker cells mean longer days on the road.
Swipe sideways to see every place →
| Airport | Colombo | Sigiriya | Kandy | Nuwara Eliya | Ella | Yala | Mirissa | Galle | Trincomalee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | 45 min | 3.5 h | 2.5 h | 5 h | 6.5 h | 5 h | 3 h | 2.5 h | 5 h | |
| Colombo | 45 min | 4 h | 3 h | 5 h | 6 h | 4.5 h | 2.5 h | 2 h | 5.5 h | |
| Sigiriya | 3.5 h | 4 h | 2.5 h | 5 h | 6 h | 6.5 h | 6.5 h | 6 h | 2.5 h | |
| Kandy | 2.5 h | 3 h | 2.5 h | 3 h | 5 h | 6 h | 5.5 h | 5 h | 4.5 h | |
| Nuwara Eliya | 5 h | 5 h | 5 h | 3 h | 2.5 h | 4.5 h | 5.5 h | 6 h | 7 h | |
| Ella | 6.5 h | 6 h | 6 h | 5 h | 2.5 h | 2.5 h | 4 h | 4.5 h | 7 h | |
| Yala | 5 h | 4.5 h | 6.5 h | 6 h | 4.5 h | 2.5 h | 2.5 h | 3 h | 7.5 h | |
| Mirissa | 3 h | 2.5 h | 6.5 h | 5.5 h | 5.5 h | 4 h | 2.5 h | 1 h | 8.5 h | |
| Galle | 2.5 h | 2 h | 6 h | 5 h | 6 h | 4.5 h | 3 h | 1 h | 8 h | |
| Trincomalee | 5 h | 5.5 h | 2.5 h | 4.5 h | 7 h | 7 h | 7.5 h | 8.5 h | 8 h |
Trains
Two railway journeys are highlights in their own right: the hill country line to Ella and the coastal line from Colombo to Galle. The hill country line is still only partly running after Cyclone Ditwah; see our train guide for what is open.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a driver cost in Sri Lanka?
About US$50 to 70 a day for a car, and US$75 to 100 for a van, including fuel and the driver's food and lodging. Tips are extra.
Is it safe to drive yourself in Sri Lanka?
It is legal with the right permit, but traffic is chaotic and roads are slow. Most visitors find a driver less stressful and similar in cost.
How long does it take to drive from Kandy to Ella?
About 5 hours by road, or 2.5 to 3 hours to Nanu Oya and then the train to Ella.
Sources we checked
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