Even though there is a fine amount of car rental agencies and travel companies who would engage with travellers for transport purposes from, say the airport and hotel, there no doubt is a setback when deciding on how to arrive safely to one’s destination when you’re in a strange land. Not to mention that Sri Lanka is far from strange, with lovely beaches, cool waterfalls, breezy monsoons and not to keep out the mouth-watering food that has to be savoured.
In order to ensure one reaches the destinations that would showcase what Sri Lanka has to offer, you should probably take some time before you travel down and do a little research on hiring a private car with a driver who will drive you around safely and at a reasonable cost.A careful analysis will get you in touch with the right person. And most of the time, a service via a travel agent comes out as the most common finding.If you hire your car though a trusted travel agent, you are bound to receive an interactive, well-defined and well-organized service from them. Another advantage you will get from patronizing a travel agency is the security and the personal service that comes with it.
Why not just go with public transport? It’s cheap.
It is cheap. And…that’s about it. Sri Lanka’s public transport network is quite vigorous mainly for the fact that it’s chaotic, clammy and if you’re looking for a comfortable ride, you might not get it entirely unless you keep travelling around in an A/C bus or intercity bus as it’s known in Sri Lanka. Bus punctuality, well, there hardly is such a thing. So, if you’re in a hurry to get somewhere by bus, you will have to brace yourself for late advents. Anyhow, the budget perspective is highly evident. But, since your aim is to secure a trustworthy driver who will also act as your travel guide with the added advantage of securing a driver who will speak all chief languages; from English, German, French and Hindi to Arabic, Chinese, Dutch and Spanish to name a few.
Sri Lanka’s road network has improved Big Time!
After the end of a turmoil in the form of a nearly 30 year civil war, Sri Lanka has come a long way since 2009. Developments in the country’s road network and infrastructure has seen an amazing improvement with foreign investments coming in at a fast pace. So, as a traveller, Sri Lanka sure has got quite an abundance of places to visit, of which major face-lifts has taken place. It’s no wonder major travel sites had gone to the lengths to promote Sri Lanka as amongst the best places to visit around the world. Expressways have sprung up shortening the length of long trips by atleast 3 hours. Now and then you might bump into a bumpy road somewhere if you’re being driven across a remote village. As for the traffic, weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) are much quieter and you’ll find a less amount of vehicles on the road.
Analyzing the travel cost
Most of these services would commence at a fair Rs. 45 per km. This cost would include vehicle and river charges as well. So, if you do a search, make sure your findings would lead you to this type of price range per km. Some of these services, if provided through a travel agent, would require you to make an upfront booking of 10% after an analysis of the amount of trips from your itinerary. Additional trips made during your visit would be added depending on the distance travelled. However, getting details such as this clarified through your travel agent is important.
Beware of the tuk driver, if they shy away from the meter machine
The tuk of course, is a three-wheeled vehicle found in great numbers almost everywhere in Sri Lanka. They are quite efficient when it comes to travelling short distances. But, these drivers sometimes tend to scam you off by dictating imaginary costs especially when they have a full functioning meter machine that surprisingly ceases to activate once it witnesses a tourist. No harm done, tuk drivers earn a living this way but many drivers do attentively utilize the meter machine once the journey commences. But sadly, there are times when one of them, if hailed by a foreign traveller, tends to abuse the moment and charge the passenger a higher rate in advance. So, if you’re travelling alone on the road, keep this in mind and turn down meter machines that ‘don’t work’.
To book a private car with a driver in Sri Lanka, contact us here:
https://www.olankatravels.com/contact-us.php
