This ultimate guide is about renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, including getting a local driving permit, rental costs and comparisons, driving tips, and more.
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 fellow 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
– fitting our luggage
So, we decided to go for it. Two days later, we were driving around tea plantations on our own – what an unforgettable way to visit Sri Lanka!
Arriving at Elephant County A Tuk Tuk is a Local Transportation Method
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Renting a Tuk Tuk at a Glance
Advantages of Renting a Tuk-Tuk:
– Saves money and time
– You can discover places you wouldn`t see otherwise
– Flexibility to travel around
TukTukRental Process:
– I chose tuktukrental.com & had a great experience
– The Code Wanderer gives you -5% Discount at TukTukRental.com
– Tuktukrental can take care of your driving permit
– They teach you how to drive it (it`s easy)
Best Places to Visit with the Tuk-Tuk:
– Sinharaja Forest Reserve
– Hidden Gems in Sri Lanka
– Rekawa Beach
Costs of Renting a TukTuk in Sri Lanka
Before booking a tuk tuk, we compared our daily transportation costs against the tuk tuk rental costs:
– A tuk-tuk per day costs around 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.
Note: Each location has several nearby attractions, meaning 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 |
Cost Breakdown:
– Taxi Costs: Average fares based on the PickMe app (local Uber).
– Tuk-Tuk Rental Fee: Rates from TukTukRental, including a 5% discount with the code “Wanderer”.
– Fuel Costs: Calculated at 350 LKR per liter, with a fuel consumption of 5 liters per 100 km.
– Fact-Checked: This cost comparison table has been verified by a local Sri Lankan.
Key Finding: Travelling around with a tuk tuk is the cheapest way to explore the country.
If you book with TukTukRental.com, the Coupon Code “Wanderer” gives you 5% Discount!
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 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?
Mainly because of their 4.9/5 rating and hundreds of positive Google Maps reviews, which gave us the confidence to trust them.
Diving deeper, we found out 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 can make a difference and support the locals, too.
Last but not least, their tuk-tuks are in great condition.
If you book your tuktuk with TukTukRental.Com: the Coupon Code “Wanderer” gives you a 5% Discount!
Morning Coffee at Dalawella Beach All I could wish for: Elephant Encounter
Online Booking with TukTukRental.com
The booking process is very easy to follow:
- Add your Details:
Enter rental dates, pick-up/return location, and apply coupon code “Wanderer” for a discount. - 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. - Confirm a Driving Permit Option:
Either arrange it yourself in Colombo or have TukTukRental handle it. We let TukTukRental take care of it. - Extras:
Optional add-ons like Bluetooth speakers, surf racks, seat belts, etc. - Payment & Deposit:
Proceed with payment, which includes a $150 deposit (refunded 7 days after rental ends). - Email Confirmation:
You’ll receive an email with the next steps and final confirmation after payment.
Don`t Wait! Tuk Tuks sell out quickly in high season.
Coupon Code for my Readers: 5% Discount
I reached out to TukTukRental.com, and they’ve agreed to offer my readers a special 5% discount!
Discount Code: “Wanderer”
How to Apply:
- Visit the TukTukRental.com homepage.
- Select your dates, pick-up, and drop-off locations.
- Enter the code “Wanderer” (see picture).
- Click “Search.”
- The discount will be applied automatically.
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, which you can use to obtain your Sri Lankan driving permit.
Two Ways to Obtain a Sri Lankan Driving License:
- With TukTukRental: They can arrange it for $40. We chose this option since we were already in Ella.
- Do It Yourself: Arrange it in Colombo for around $30 at the Automobile Association of Ceylon. You’ll need passport photos (dedicated shop available on-site) and your international driving license. Expect to spend half a day to arrange it.
Mileage & Insurance Policy:
TukTukRental includes unlimited mileage and full coverage insurance, with 24/7 emergency support.
Picking up and Returning the Tuk Tuk
Pick-Up
Typically, tuk-tuks are picked up at the main offices in Colombo or Negombo.
If you’re outside the capital, they can be delivered to 15+ locations (Mirissa, Arugam Bay, etc,) for an extra fee.
We got ours delivered to Ella.
Return
The return happens at the same place, one of the main offices in the capital.
While the team inspects the vehicle upon return and prepares your checkout documents, you can relax in the air-conditioned waiting area.
➝ Need help with what to pack for Sri Lanka? Check out this Sri Lanka Packing List.
TukTukRental Community
The TukTukRental chat group was a real highlight! They have an active community where travelers share tips, insights, elephant sightings, and more.
Through the app, you can connect with others and exchange travel tips on the best beaches, restaurants, hidden gems, and wildlife spots. We used it to learn about Sri Lanka’s hidden wildlife locations – such as the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
You can join the community once your booking is complete.
Roaming the streets of Sri Lanka Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Kandy
Driving a Tuk Tuk In Sri Lanka
Many people fear driving tuk tuks, and we were no exception. It’s natural to avoid things we’ve never done, and many sources say it’s hard to drive. 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 a good driver.
Hint: A tuk-tuk has manual gears. If you can drive a manual car (like most Europeans), you’ll have no problem.
Driving Lesson: 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.
FAQ-s about Driving a Tuk Tuk
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 tuktuk.
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 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 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.
Deer: 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.
If you decide to book with TukTukRental.com, the Coupon Code “Wanderer” gives you 5% Discount!
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.
I hope this Sri Lanka Tuk Tuk Guide answers all of your questions. If you have further questions, feel free to rach out to me.
This article is fact-checked by a local.
What a fabulous way to travel Sri Lanka. I love to travel like a local too and the fact it also holds your luggage is a big plus.
Sri Lanka is on my bucket list and I had never thought of renting a Tuk Tuk to drive myself around the country – I always thought a driver came with them. What a great transport option.
This looks like a great way to explore Sri Lanka. I always see Tuk Tuk tours when we travel, but rarely Tuk Tuk rentals.