Among the thousands of travelers who visit Sri Lanka, some are enthusiastic about getting experiences they never had. So, if you’re such a curious traveler, this guide on tuk-tuk rental in Sri Lanka will be one of the most important episodes from our magazine.
Renting a tuk-tuk has been the latest trend for foreigners visiting Sri Lanka. There are a few operational service providers in the country. Especially, in Colombo, you can count on a reliable service. Driving a tuk-tuk through the island and exploring the country on your own is an adventurous thing to consider. You can collect so many memories to take home.
So, read along to learn what companies are ready to provide you with this service. And, what you should know about renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka.
What Is Meant By Renting A Tuk-Tuk in Sri Lanka?
Traveling by tuk-tuk is very popular in Sri Lanka. You will find tuk-tuk stands at almost every junction in the country. Major taxi services like PickMe and Uber also have tuk-tuks in them. Locals refer to this vehicle as the “three-wheeler”, which makes sense!

They find it convenient to travel by tuk-tuk since the vehicle is compact enough to slip through even major traffic jams. Due to these reasons, some companies in Sri Lanka introduced the tuk-tuk rental facility. Foreigners who come to Sri Lanka to spend their vacation can enjoy this service.
Travelers can rent a tuk-tuk for as long as they want, learn to drive, and use the vehicle to explore the country at their own pace. This suits anyone regardless of whether you’re a solo traveler or traveling with your family.
Why Should You Rent A Tuk-Tuk In Sri Lanka?
Travelers rent tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka for many reasons. But generally, it is because of the freedom they get when they need to explore the country. Sri Lanka is habitually a very independent country where travelers have the ultimate freedom to discover everything that the country has to offer.
And if you take one specific area, there are plenty of things to observe and places to visit that you can’t cover up in just one day. Therefore, transportation is genuinely important at this point and sometimes you could find it hard to transfer from bus to bus or visit train stations if you’re using public transport.
Moreover, hiring a vehicle could be a little heavy on your pocket because they charge per mile and include the waiting charges at the end of the trip, making it a huge final sum. So, when all the facts are taken into concern, we can say that renting a tuk-tuk can be one of the best choices you make!
The Experience is the Best Thing You Cannot Forget!
Do you know how cool is it to drive a tuk-tuk? Apart from the wonderful experiences you can have on the paradise island of Sri Lanka, driving a tuk-tuk along the roads of this country will give you a distinctive taste of life that you have never had before.
Driving a peculiar little vehicle along with other vehicles on the road while the country breeze hits you from two sides will be truly amazing! Traveling by tuk-tuk also makes excellent road trips.
You can stop at your own pace, observe the surroundings, click pictures, or eat out at small eateries and drink a cup of warm Ceylon Tea. And, you can also explore the country to your heart’s content. Apart from the fact that renting a tuk-tuk is convenient and effective, it also saves you a ton of time and money.
You can rent this vehicle for a reasonable price by contacting a good service provider. You don’t have to wait for buses, walk to train stations, or keep calling the local taxi services. While enjoying the ultimate freedom to go wherever you want, experience a unique adventure to keep yourself engaged throughout your stay in Sri Lanka.
How to Get Started in Renting a Tuk-Tuk in Sri Lanka?
It would be best if you could plan everything. That is, you should do your research and arrange everything ahead of time when you land in Sri Lanka. For this, you can contact the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) or check their official website:
- Website- https://www.sltda.gov.lk/en
- Telephone- +94 112426800 / +94 112426900 / 2437055/59/60
- Email- [email protected]
In addition to this, you may also collect the required information at the tourist inquiries counter at the airport. You could also gather information from trustworthy locals like your tour guide or the hotel management you accommodate.
There are a few companies that provide this service:
- https://tuktukrental.com/
- https://pickandgotravels.com/
- https://www.ceylontusker.com/tuk-tuk-Rent-Sri-Lanka.php
What to Expect From Them?
When it comes to this new experience, many questions might cross your mind. If you join a good service provider, you will not have to worry about anything since they take care of everything on your behalf.
You’ll only be given a good quality tuk-tuk as the people who register their tuk-tuks at these companies should meet their quality standards. Therefore, the risk of your tuk-tuk getting crashed in the middle of your trip is very low.
Lessons and Training
Most service providers will train and teach you how to drive this interesting vehicle with comprehensive lessons, taking you along the Sri Lankan roads. In addition to this, you will get sophisticated knowledge about how this vehicle works.
Lessons will be provided on troubleshooting and other functionalities of it. The service providers will be in touch with you 24/7. They will also give you a fully detailed guide on service points and garages, depending on the route you travel.
Thus, you can easily get their service if your tuk-tuk causes any trouble. All their vehicles are insured and you’ll be guided on how to use Google Maps to find your way to your destination. This will ensure a safe ride throughout your journey.
Eligibility and The License Requirement to Drive a Tuk-Tuk in Sri Lanka
It is important to remember that you cannot drive a vehicle in Sri Lanka with the driver’s license you have in your country. Most tuk-tuk rental companies in Sri Lanka may request a copy of your passport, driver’s license, IDP, and possibly a deposit.
Check with the service provider to comprehend their specific terms and requirements. However, to drive legally in Sri Lanka, foreign drivers with valid driving licenses from their home country must get a temporary Sri Lankan driving license. This provisional license can be obtained from either the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the Automobile Association of Sri Lanka (AA). This will take some time and call for some documentation work where you will have to visit certain offices.
Prices and Packages
Most tuk-tuk renting companies in Sri Lanka offer vehicles for months so that you can explore the country and complete your Sri Lankan itinerary. They also have day packages and the prices are fixed accordingly.
You should keep in mind that these prices may be subject to change due to any drastic changes in the dollar date. Thus, it is always a better idea to contact the relevant service provider and get the information you need.
Things You Should Remember Before Renting a Tuk-Tuk in Sri Lanka
To begin with, we should insist that traveling by a self-driven tuk-tuk is not only one of the most convenient. But, it is also one of the safest ways to explore the country.
Once you are confident to drive the vehicle on your own, as long as you know that you have someone else in the back seat and know the road rules, a tuk-tuk ride will be the coolest thing you do in Sri Lanka.
Tuk-tuk Rental Tips
- Choose a better service provider- First things first, everything begins and depends on whom you choose. Therefore, use our guide, do your research, and pick the best service provider who will offer a genuine, reliable service.
- Beware of scammers- This, once again, points back to the service provider you choose. Some newly opened companies will provide you with a much cheaper service. But, they can be dangerous since some are up to scams focusing on foreigners.
- Keep in check your health condition- The roads in Sri Lanka are not ordinary roads in your home country. Therefore, you might sometimes find it hard to drive along some roads so your health should be always in check. Avoid renting out a tuk-tuk if you are not feeling fit enough to drive on your own.
- Avoid driving at night and exceeding the speed limit. This way you can ensure a safe ride.
- Check the tires, oil level, and any damage in your tuk-tuk every day before heading out onto the road.
- It would be best to avoid or drive a little while it is raining.
- Sri Lankan people often come to your help if you meet with any trouble on the road. So, always be nice to other drivers and especially watch out for the buses and big lorries while driving.
Final Thoughts About Renting a Tuk-Tuk in Sri Lanka
As you see, renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka is not at all a tough job if you get in touch with a great service provider. Renting a tuk-tuk and driving it on your own will allow you to enjoy an adventure that you never had in your life before while giving you the chance to explore the country at your own pace. So, we hope this article was super helpful for you to get started if you were interested in renting out a tuk-tuk during your next trip to Sri Lanka.