Sri Lanka car hire with driver

Sri Lanka car hire with driver

Sri Lanka car hire with driver

A large proportion of visitors opt to tour Sri Lanka by hiring a car and driver, which offers unlimited flexibility and can be less expensive than you might think. The main caution is that drivers (and the travel companies they represent) work on commission, which they receive from some, but not all, hotels, plus assorted restaurants,  jewelers ,shops and  spice gardens

This means that you and your driver’s ideas might not always agree as to where you want to stay and what you want to do .Some drivers will always want to head for wherever they get the best rewards. Unfortunately, despite the fact that you’re the customer, it’s often not as easy to get your own way as you would imagine .

It’s best, of course, to find a decent driver in the first place .it pays to go with a reputable company which employs only properly qualified guides. Make sure your driver speaks at least some English and emphasize from the outset where you do and don’t want to go. Some drivers enforce on their clients’ good nature to the point of having meals with them and claiming on acting as guides and translators throughout the tour. If this is what you want, fine; if not, don’t be afraid to make it clear that you expect to be left alone when not in the car.

Cars and drivers can be hired through any of the Colombo tour operators ,or from many other tour companies and travel agents around the island . Alternatively, most hotels and guesthouses can fix you up with a vehicle, or you could come to some arrangement with a taxi driver. One of the island’s largest and most reliable car-hire companies are based in Colombo .These companies have a variety of modern and well-maintained vehicles which can be hired with or without driver.All their drivers speak at least basic English and operate according to a code of conduct, while some have also been trained in defensive driving techniques. Rates are  extremely competitive, and are sometimes published on their website.

All top-end hotels provide meals and accommodation for drivers either for free or for a small additional charge. If you’re staying in budget or mid-range places, you’ll have to pay for your driver’s room and food.it’s best to try to establish a daily allowance for this at the outset of your trip to avoid confusions and arguments later. Your driver will also expect a tip per day, depending on how highly trained they are.

You’ll also probably have to pay for fuel , which can add significantly to the overall cost. In addition, most companies only offer a decidedly mean 100 km per day free mileage, which doesn’t go far on the island’s twisty roads, so you may well have to base up for some excess mileage as well.

Finally, if this all sounds too stressful, you could always just hire vehicles by the day as you go round the island. This is likely to be a bit more expensive, but you won’t have to worry about having to house and feed your driver, and they’re less likely to insist on supplementing their income by forcing you to visit their favorite shops, restaurants and spice gardens.

Sri Lanka Travel Deals offers a variety of car hire options with a driver to suit travelers’ needs. Feel free to send us a message, and we’ll get back to you promptly!

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