How to Rent a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka in 2025 (With a Discount!)

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We recently spent a month actively traveling around Sri Lanka, covering over 1000 kilometers. But how to get around?

At first, we took taxis. Then, we switched to a scooter for more freedom to explore. However, fitting two people and four backpacks on a scooter proved difficult. At the time, we were already in Ella. There, we saw travelers driving tuk-tuks.

Shall we also rent a tuk-tuk? We saw the following advantages: saving money on transportation, exploring Sri Lanka the way we want, and above all, it would fit our luggage!

So, we decided to rent a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka. Two days later, we were driving around tea plantations on our own – what an unforgettable way to visit Sri Lanka!

In this travel guide, I share my own experiences about renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, including regulations, rental costs, the recommended tuk-tuk rental company, driving tips, and more.

Costs of Renting a TukTuk in Sri Lanka

Before renting a tuk-tuk, we compared our transportation costs against the tuk-tuk costs:
– A tuk-tuk per day costs ca. 21 USD (6270 LKR).
– However, during our first days, we spent daily ca. 33 USD (10000 LKR) on transportation already.

So far, so good: it even made financial sense to rent a tuk-tuk. 

Rent a TukTuk vs. Take a Taxi (Cost Comparison)

The comparison table below highlights the price differences between taking a taxi and renting a tuk-tuk, based on a typical travel itinerary.

Key Finding: Travelling around with a tuk tuk is the cheapest way to explore the country.
Note: Each location has several nearby attractions, so you’ll likely take multiple taxi rides per day. 

 

Route	Distance (KM)	Taxi Cost	Tuk Tuk Rental Fee	Tuk Tuk Fuel Cost	Total Tuk Tuk Rental + Fuel Costs	Savings with Tuk Tuk
Colombo – Unawatuna	130 km	18000 LKR	6165 LKR	2275 LKR	8540 LKR	9559 LKR
Galle – Tangalle	76 km	11000 LKR	6165 LKR	1330 LKR	7495 LKR	3504 LKR
Tangalle – Ella	137 km	19000 LKR	6165 LKR	2398 LKR	8563 LKR	10437 LKR
Nuwara Eliya – Kandy	95 km	13000 LKr	6165 LKR	1662 LKR	7828 LKR	5172 LKR

This cost comparison table has been verified by a local Sri Lankan.

How I calculated:
– Taxi Costs: Average fares based on the PickMe app (local Uber).
– Tuk-Tuk Rental Fee: Rates from TukTukRental, including a 5% discount with this booking link.
– Fuel Costs: 350 LKR per liter, with a consumption of 5 liters / 100 km.

Distances in Sri Lanka: Sample Itinerary

Sri Lanka is a fairly big country, with countless places to see. The map below shows a sample itinerary, covering the main highlights.

➝Here’s how I´d structure our tuk tuk travel route: 10 Days in Sri Lanka Itinerary

Becoming familiar with the distances, we were convinced that renting a tuk tuk is the best decision for a Sri Lankan adventure. 

We only needed to find the right rental company.

How to Rent a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka in 2025

In this section, I explain how we rented our tuk-tuk as first-time travelers in Sri Lanka.
I’ll share the company we chose and why, then walk you through the entire booking process. Let`s start!

Our Chosen Provider: TukTukRental

To rent a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, we chose TukTukRental. Why? At first, mainly because of their 4.9/5 rating and thousands of positive Google Maps reviews.

Diving deeper, we found that TukTukRental is a social business: they rent vehicles from low-income Sri Lankan families, providing an income for locals.

You’ll see: Sri Lankans are the kindest people, and they deserve the best. By renting a tuk-tuk from TukTukRental.com, you will support the locals, too. Last but not least, they are famous for renting out tuk-tuks only in great condition.

Online Booking with TukTukRental.com

The booking process is very easy to follow:

1. Add your Details:
   Enter rental dates, pick-up/return location, and use this TukTukRental Link for 5% Discount.
   
2. Select a Vehicle:
   Discount Prices are already shown.
   Choose from regular Bajaj, Electric, or Cabrio. We picked the regular Bajaj.
   Info: All tuktuks include USB chargers, phone holders, raincoats, spare tires, and emergency fuel tanks.
   
3. Confirm a Driving Permit Option:
   Either arrange it yourself in Colombo or have TukTukRental handle it. We let TukTukRental take care of it.
   
4. Extras: 
   Optional add-ons like Bluetooth speakers, surf racks, seat belts, etc.
   
5. Payment & Deposit:
   Proceed with payment, which includes a $150 deposit (refunded 7 days after rental ends). We had no problems; they refunded our deposit quickly after the rental.
   
6. Email Confirmation:
   You’ll receive an email with the next steps and final confirmation after payment.

Driving License, Mileage, and Insurance

To drive legally in Sri Lanka, you need a local driving permit. Before your trip, get an international driving license in your home country, with which you can use easily obtain your Sri Lankan driving permit. We did the same.

Two Ways to Obtain a Sri Lankan Driving License:

1. With TukTukRental: They can arrange it for $40. We chose this option since we were already in Ella.
2. Do It Yourself: Arrange it in Colombo for around $30 at the Automobile Association of Ceylon. You’ll need passport photos (a dedicated shop available on-site) and your international driving license. Expect to spend half a day arranging it.

Mileage & Insurance Policy:
TukTukRental includes unlimited mileage and full coverage insurance, with 24/7 emergency support.

Picking up and Returning the Tuk Tuk

Driving a Tuk Tuk In Sri Lanka

Many people fear driving tuk-tuks, and we were no exception. In fact, many sources online state it’s hard to drive a tuk-tuk.

Let me disagree: I found driving a tuk-tuk easy.
I got used to driving it after a few minutes, and my mother always says I`m not a talented driver. (Thanks, mom!)

A tuk-tuk has manual gears. If you can drive a manual car (like most Europeans), you’ll have no problem.
Don’t worry—you won’t be left to figure it out. You’ll receive a 15-25 minute driving lesson (or until you’re confident) from a local before taking the vehicle.

FAQs about renting a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka

Traffic & Driving Rules + Safety Tips

We were told to imagine Sri Lankan traffic as a wide, slowly flowing river with tree logs of all sizes. Bigger obstacles (cars, trucks, buses) go first, while smaller ones (tuk-tuks and scooters) move aside to let them pass.
Remember: you are not allowed on highways when driving a tuk-tuk.

Be very cautious around buses and always give them space—they tend to drive aggressively.

Keep these rules at all times to ensure your safety while driving in Sri Lanka:

• 1. Plan the day ahead and never drive at night.
• 2. Traffic might come from any direction. Be careful.
• 3. Never drink and drive. Sri Lanka has a zero-tolerance policy, and it`s also dangerous.
• 4. Don`t leave food inside when you stop. In certain areas (more on that later), monkeys might get in the vehicle and give you a headache.
• 5. Buses drive like crazy. Always get out of their way and be careful.
• 7. Enjoy your tuk-tuk adventure.

Police Checks

Personally, we weren’t stopped by the police. TukTukRental has a good reputation, and the police know that travelers who rent from them possess the required documents.

Remember: Tuk-tuks don’t go fast, so speeding tickets are unlikely. However, police checks can happen—if stopped, stay calm and be polite.

Driving Around Sigiriya & Dealing with Wildlife

Sri Lanka has one of the highest densities of wild animals in the world, and we saw them everywhere: large lizards, monkeys, peacocks, and other exotic creatures.

Monkeys: Especially around Sigiriya, monkeys are common. Fellow tuk-tuk drivers told us they can jump into the tuk tuks (only, if you stop the vehicle), steal food, and make a mess. Tip: Never store food in your tuk tuk.

Elephants: You might encounter wild elephants on roads like B35 near Yala National Park or around Sigiriya. Pass by quickly and never approach them. Tip: Again, don’t store food in your tuk-tuk.

Deers: We spotted deer around Sigiriya and Kandy. Some species are quite large.

Leopards: Rare, but they can be seen in certain areas.

Lizards/Water Monitors: They can be huge and found anywhere—drive carefully.

Crocodiles: Known to be shy, but don’t swim in lakes or rivers, and drive cautiously near signs. I didn’t spot any during my month in Sri Lanka. (And I was looking for them.)

Animals inside the tuk-tuk: Always check the vehicle before driving to ensure no animals are inside.

Extra Tip: For the night, cover your tuk-tuk with a raincoat (all are equipped with it).

Fuel, Gas Stations, Possible Defects, Local Help

• Fuel and Gas Stations: Use normal petrol. There is always a gas station nearby.
  
• What to do in case of a defect:
  Tuk-tuks are common in Sri Lanka, so repair shops are nearby. If you experience a defect, call your rental company. TukTukRental.com offers full coverage and will cover all repairs.
  Note: Most people won’t encounter any issues with their vehicles.
  
• Local Help and What to Expect:
  Sri Lankans are the kindest nation I have ever seen. I traveled extensively around Southeast Asia (including Thailand!), and I believe Sri Lankans might be the kindest of them all.
  
  In case you face any emergencies (if it´s with the tuk-tuk, follow the policy of your provider), locals will always be there to help you and take care of you.

Kandy-Ella Train: Do you have to Skip it?

Many travelers visit Sri Lanka to experience the Kandy-Ella train. If you don’t want to miss it but also want to drive your tuk-tuk, simply inform your rental company.

For example, TukTukRental can drive your vehicle to your destination while you enjoy the train ride.

In short, you don’t have to skip the Kandy-Ella train even if you’re driving a tuk-tuk.

Final Thoughts & Our Experience

Renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka was 100% worth it. Thanks to it, we could see the so many hidden gems in Sri Lanka.

The tuk-tuk kept us flexible, allowed us to store luggage, and helped us stay out of the midday sun. Plus, we saved money compared to other transportation options.

If you want to explore independently and see as much as possible, I highly recommend you to rent a tuk-tuk.