Question 1

What does a private driver in Sri Lanka cost per day?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle class drives the price more than the distance: a comfortable sedan typically works out around US$60–90 per day including fuel and driver, and a van or SUV around US$85–130 per day. These are indicative figures — the firm price for your exact route, dates and vehicle is always confirmed on your written quotation. Whatever we quote, it states clearly what is included and what is not.

Question 2

Is it safe to hire a private driver in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Travelling with your own driver is one of the calmest ways to see Sri Lanka, and our drivers are experienced professionals we know personally. Sri Lankan roads are busier than most visitors are used to — tuk-tuks, buses and overtaking on single-carriageway roads are part of daily life — so we take road safety seriously. Our drivers pace journeys carefully, take proper rest breaks and avoid night driving wherever possible, and we ask everyone to wear seatbelts at all times.

Question 3

Do your drivers speak English?

Accepted Answer

Yes — English-speaking drivers are standard across our service, which is all most travellers need to plan days, ask questions and hear stories along the way. If you would prefer a driver who speaks another language, ask when you enquire and we will do our best to arrange it, though we cannot guarantee every language on every date.

Question 4

Can the itinerary change once we've started?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that is the whole point of a private tour. Small changes such as longer stops, skipping a sight or taking a scenic detour are usually easy on the day; just talk it through with your driver. Major changes, such as a different region or significantly more driving, may affect the cost, and your driver will always be upfront about that before you set off.

Question 5

Where does the driver stay and eat on multi-day tours?

Accepted Answer

Your driver's accommodation and meals are included in the rate we quote you, so there are no surprise bills at checkout. Sri Lanka's tourist areas have dedicated driver accommodation that drivers use while guests stay in their own hotels. If somewhere has no driver facility, we handle the arrangement ourselves — and in the rare case a supplement could apply, it is shown on your quotation in advance.

Question 6

Do you provide child seats?

Accepted Answer

Yes — child seats are available free of charge on request. Tell us when you book how many seats you need and your children's ages, and appropriate seats will be fitted before pickup. Please give as much notice as you can, because seats are prepared specially for your trip and last-minute requests are not always possible.

Question 7

How do we pay?

Accepted Answer

We take a deposit to confirm the booking, with the balance payable during your trip — exact amounts are printed on your quotation. At present we accept payment by bank transfer in the currency of your quotation. Secure online card payments will follow once our payment gateway is live, and we will announce that clearly on the website rather than quietly changing the terms.

Question 8

What happens if our flight is delayed?

Accepted Answer

For airport pickups your driver tracks your flight, and every transfer includes a waiting-time buffer for immigration and baggage collection. If your flight is badly delayed we simply reschedule the pickup to your new arrival time. A quick message from you always helps, but even without one we will be tracking your flight.

Question 9

Do we tip the driver?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is never obligatory — the price on your quotation is the price you pay. That said, if your driver has looked after you wonderfully, a tip of around US$5–10 per day is a customary way to show appreciation. It is entirely your choice, and our drivers never ask.

Question 10

Can you book hotels for us?

Accepted Answer

We are happy to advise which areas suit your route and what style of stay fits your budget, and we can assist with bookings where you would like us to. Many guests prefer to book their own accommodation and simply tell us where to collect them — either way you keep full control of where you stay. If we do assist, we are always clear about what is included in the price and what is not.

Question 11

What's the best time of year to visit?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka has two monsoons that affect different halves of the island at different times, so somewhere is always in season. The south-west coast, Colombo and the hill country are at their best roughly December to March, while the east coast around Trincomalee and Arugam Bay shines from about April to September. Tell us the months you are considering and we will give you an honest picture of what to expect.

Question 12

How far in advance should we book?

Accepted Answer

For the December-to-March high season, and around the Kandy Perahera festival in July or August, enquire two to three months ahead if you can. Outside those peaks we can often put a trip together with a week or two of notice. Airport transfers are frequently possible with just 24–48 hours' notice, and we regularly arrange next-day pickups.

Question 13

Are your tours private or group tours?

Accepted Answer

Fully private: your party, your vehicle and your driver for the whole trip — no joining strangers, no fixed schedule, no waiting for a coach of thirty. You set the pace each day with your driver, and the itinerary in your quotation is a plan rather than a contract. Larger parties travelling together are welcome too, arranged through our coach partners.

Question 14

What is NOT included in your quotations?

Accepted Answer

Unless your quotation says otherwise: entrance tickets to sights and national parks, your accommodation, your meals and drinks, and personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs. Tips are always voluntary and never added automatically. Every quotation lists inclusions and exclusions item by item, so you always know exactly what you are paying for.

Question 15

How do I book a driver or tour with Lanka Chauffeur?

Accepted Answer

Send us an enquiry through the booking form, WhatsApp or email with your travel dates, rough route and party size. We reply — usually within 24 hours — with a suggested itinerary and a transparent quotation. Nothing is confirmed until you approve the details in writing.

Question 16

Do I have to pay in advance?

Accepted Answer

For most tours we take a modest deposit to secure your driver and vehicle, with the balance payable during your trip. Exact terms are always stated clearly on your written quotation before you commit to anything.

Question 17

How far in advance should I book?

Accepted Answer

For travel in the December-to-March high season and around the August Kandy Perahera, enquire 2–3 months ahead if you can. Outside those peaks we can often accommodate bookings with a few days' notice, and we regularly arrange next-day airport transfers.

Question 18

Can you collect us from the airport at any hour?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Flights land into Colombo around the clock and we schedule pickups for every arrival time, including red-eye arrivals. Your driver tracks your flight and waits in arrivals with a name board.

Question 19

How much does a private driver cost per day in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Indicatively, a sedan with driver starts around US$60–90 per day and a minivan around US$85–130, including fuel, tolls and the driver's accommodation — with exact pricing confirmed in your written quotation based on season, route and vehicle class. Our driver-cost guide explains exactly what shapes the number.

Question 20

Can the driver also guide us at the sights?

Accepted Answer

Your driver will orient you at every stop, share context and stories, and help with tickets and timing. Formal guiding inside certain archaeological sites is done by licensed site guides — your driver can arrange one wherever it genuinely adds value.

Question 21

Do we pay anything to the driver during the trip?

Accepted Answer

No. Your quotation covers the vehicle, fuel, tolls, parking and the driver's accommodation and meals. Meals you invite your driver to join are your choice. Tipping is appreciated if you are delighted, but never obligatory.

Question 22

What about long drives and night travel?

Accepted Answer

We plan realistic driving days and avoid night driving wherever possible. Where a long transfer is unavoidable (for example a late-night arrival), we schedule it safely and comfortably with advance notice.

Question 23

What is the difference between a driver and a chauffeur?

Accepted Answer

Think of it as a higher tier of the same service: chauffeur bookings use our most senior drivers and premium vehicles, with added protocols — meet-and-greet, flight tracking, presentation standards and a more concierge-like manner. Standard driver hire remains excellent; chauffeur service is exceptional.

Question 24

Can you support a business trip with multiple meetings?

Accepted Answer

Yes — multi-stop days are a chauffeur speciality. Share your meeting schedule and we plan routing, waiting time and meal breaks so you can focus on work while we handle the road.

Question 25

Do you provide this service outside Colombo?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. While Colombo and the airport corridor are the busiest, our chauffeur service covers the whole island — including hill country and southern coast itineraries.

Everything travellers ask us

The essentials

Costs, drivers and the journey

Booking and payments

About our services

Still wondering something?

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