Sri Lanka is a big island country lying in the Indian Ocean just under India. The country has a maximum length of 432 km and a maximum width of 224 km and all the tourist attractions are spread all over the country, therefore if you are planning to visit Sri Lanka you have to travel all around the island. The question is how and what is the best way to travel in Sri Lanka? The answer is hiring a private driver in Sri Lanka.
In this post you will find and learn everything about hiring a private guide who can also drive in Sri Lanka.
Why Do I Need a Private Driver?
In order to see all tourist attractions in Sri Lanka you have to travel more than 1000 km within the island. Unfortunately the roads are narrow and not in perfect conditions. There is a terrible traffic jam and all traffic flows from left. Sometimes elephants can block the roads. Bus and train options are not flexible and not very much comfortable. Tuk tuk is another way to travel, it will cost less in terms of money but much more in time.
Considering all above, the best way to travel in Sri Lanka is with a private driver, so that you can enjoy the country and make the most out of your vacation.
The best driver and tour guide in Sri Lanka
Advantages of Hiring a Private Driver in Sri Lanka
- A private driver is not only a driver as you may think but also a tourist guide.
- They have special licenses in order to become a driver guide and it is all controlled by government.
- They speak English.
- They pick you up from the airport and accompany you until you leave Sri Lanka.
- They keep an eye on you and your personal belongings in car.
- They prevent you from paying through the nose.
- They provide the best itinerary for you and give best lo cal tips.
- They know best photo spots and take photos of you.
How to Hire a Private Driver in Sri Lanka
In order to find best driver in Sri Lanka you have to make some researches, find couple of altenatives, read comments about them and get in contact. However the best way is much easier: use the same driver that a friend used before and was happy with him.
Good news, I can help with it and suggest someone great. He has been our hero during our whole time in Sri Lanka. For years I have been suggesting his service to all my community and more than 100 of guests had their trips with him after me. All of them were very happy and said that he took care of them like a brother or father, they even cried when saying good bye to each other. Just like we did. That is why I would like to connect him with more guests anyway.
Just send me an email to [email protected] and I will share his contact information with you. Then you can discuss the dates, prices and all other details with him.
Local foods: Rice & Curry
Cost of Private Driver in Sri Lanka
Let me talk about the conditions and prices of this private service. The cost of private driver in Sri Lanka depends on the length of your itinerary and it will probably start at $ 70 per day. You do not care about any of the driver’s needs such as car, gasoline, accommodation, food; all are considered within the agreed fee.
Probably you may find better rates at the airport. There will be lots of drivers trying to catch your attention with lower prices. However it is risky and at the end they may charge you some extras. If you prefer to set it from scratch yourself instead of the driver I recommend, don’t forget to make sure that the driver is informed about the itinerary and you can keep your route flexible so as not to change the mileage to avoid any bad surprises .
Since our driver was a super nice guy, we didn’t need to do anything extra.
How Much Do You Tip a Driver in Sri Lanka
The amount of the tip depends on the level up satisfaction of the service that you have paid for. In general it is fair to give 3$ per day. If you book the driver for a longer period daily tip is going to be around 3$ to 5$. However if you hire the driver for shorter terms you may consider to tip more. At the end it is not weaselly, if you are happy with the driver and service pay as much as you like or nothing at all, up to you
Considering what I have mentioned above, make sure that you and the driver are agreed on the itinerary and the prices before you go. It can be preferred as a practical solution in terms of getting comprehensive local information about Sri Lanka, not being received about prices, and not wasting time with public transportation, which can be considered insufficient for hours-long trips. So, after you have bought your flight ticket, you can contact me via email through h[email protected] or on my Instagram or Facebook page that I have given links at the end of the article, and I will give you the communication of my driver & tourist guide in Sri Lanka.
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