Renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka is an amazing adventure and the best way to really discover the country. You have the ultimate freedom to go wherever you want and at the same time experience the country in a local way. Hiring a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka is really a fantastic addition to your trip in Sri Lanka. Below we give you all the detailed information about renting a tuktuk, the best routes and what else is involved in renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka. In short: all the practical information you need.
Content of this blog:
Where can I rent a tuktuk in Sri Lanka?
Renting your own tuktuk (or rickshaw or threewheel, whatever you lilke to call it) in Sri Lanka can be done at tuktukrental.com. This organization really helps you with everything you need to think about if you want to travel around Sri Lanka with your own tuktuk. After you have applied through the website you will receive automatic confirmation emails with the documents you need to submit to them. They then ensure that – when you land in Sri Lanka – your Sri Lanka tuktuk driving license is ready and you can leave immediately, ideal!
They also have a handy app where you can find a lot of information about scenic routes and garages, and they also offer direct support almost all day long via WhatsApp or by phone. The communication is clear and fast. You also get a good driving lesson, after which you feel safe and secure to drive the tuktuk yourself.
Types of tuktuks you can rent in Sri Lanka
At tuktukrental.com you have a choice of two types of tuktuks/rickshaws in Sri Lanka: one with a closed roof and a convertible version. With the latter, it is great that the roof can be opened. It can get very hot in Sri Lanka and the convertible tuktuk gives you a little extra wind. You can also see more with the roof open. The convertible tuktuk is a bit more expensive than the normal tuktuk. It costs $24 per day and a standard tuktuk costs $20 (prices 2025).
What are the best tuktuk routes to ride in Sri Lanka?
Driving your own tuktuk in Sri Lanka is great anyway, but there are a few routes that are absolutely worth driving yourself.
The B35 road: what should you do if you come face to face with an elephant by your tuktuk?
The B35 from Buttala to Kataragama is becoming a real household name in Sri Lanka. Indeed, this is the road in southern Sri Lanka that goes through the Yala National Park where you can come face to face with wild elephants. This is not without danger so you should always keep your mind and concentration here.
When there is an elephant on the road, it is wisest to drive behind another vehicle. So make sure you have enough speed and keep driving no matter what the elephant does.
You can drive the B35 road if you are traveling from Arugam Bay to Kataragama or Tissamahara (exit point for Yala National Park). If you’re coming from Ella, it’s also possible, but you’ll have to make a slight detour. You’ll probably be willing to do this for this cool experience in Sri Lanka. Read everything you need to know about the B35 road here.
The beautiful routes through the tea fields of Sri Lanka
The train journey from Kandy to Ella is known as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. But did you know that you can also travel this by tuktuk yourself? The cool thing about the tuktuk is that you can stop whenever and wherever you want and experience the landscape in a completely different way. We ourselves drove in 3 days from Kandy to Ella through the beautiful tea fields and would recommend this route to anyone. Below we give a brief overview of the days and the route:
Day 1: From Kandy you drive early in the morning to Ambuluwawa Tower, which you can climb. You leave your backpack/case at the entrance, because there are many monkeys at the parking lot. These jump into your tuktuk when you are not there to look for food, or things they can destroy. Therefore, store your things safely at the entrance. After climbing the tower, travel through the mountains to Kithulgala where you can go rafting, canyoneering and mountain biking in the afternoon.
Day 2: From Kithulgala to Nuwara Eliya. This is an insanely beautiful route through the mountains. On the way you can make a stop at Devon Falls and St. Clair Viewpoint. In the afternoon you will arrive in Nuwara Eliya and you can immediately do a nice hike at the Pekoe Trail. Read all our tips for Nuwara Eliya here.
Day 3: In the morning at 05:15 you will drive out of Nuwara Eliya, heading for Horton Plains National Park. You drive most of it in the dark, so here you have to pay close attention. Then you hike for several hours in Horton Plains, which is really beautiful. After this you drive via a beautiful forest route with meters high pine trees to the lovely mountain village of Ella. If you still want to take the train, you can go back and forth by train in Ella. That way you will still have experienced the world-famous train ride a little bit.
What should I pay attention to when driving a tuktuk myself?
It is especially important to pay close attention to other traffic. Most roads in Sri Lanka are really not that busy, but buses always have (or rather take) the right of way everywhere. The bus is the largest means of transportation and here the law of the jungle applies. So always keep driving on the left (yes, in Sri Lanka you drive on the other side of the road, but you quickly get used to that).
Also, you should always be on the lookout for stray dogs along and on the road. There are so many stray dogs in Sri Lanka that run into the road without looking back. This is dangerous for both the dog and you in the tuktuk. As soon as you see a dog near the road, you should honk your horn loudly to make it move aside. Unfortunately this cannot always be prevented and that is the reason why you will see many crippled dogs during your trip in Sri Lanka.
What should I do if I rent my own tuktuk and I am stopped by the police?
When the police want to give you a fine you should always say that you want to pay the fine at the police station. If you pay the so-called fine to the policeman in cash, the policeman will put it in his own pocket and he will have a little extra. You avoid this by saying that you want to pay the fine at the police station, where he has to show a legitimate reason to fine you.
Furthermore, you will also notice that there are many police officers on the side of the road. This is for safety and to check trucks. You do not have to stop at these places – unless they indicate otherwise. Give a friendly wave to the police and then drive on (not too fast).
What is the advantage of renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka?
As far as we are concerned, the big advantage is that you really experience ultimate freedom. You can literally go wherever you want and also see and experience the local way of life much better. You can stop somewhere, drink a coconut or have breakfast among the locals. You have many nice, spontaneous encounters and experience the real Sri Lanka.
In addition, of course, it is also very relaxing that you can drive yourself to everything whenever you want. You are not dependent on the local buses that sometimes only go a few times a day, or on expensive (in our eyes unnecessary) cabs.
Finally, driving a tuk-tuk is also a lot of fun. It is quite an experience to drive around Sri Lanka in this beautiful little machine made in India and discover all the beauty that this wonderful country has to offer.
What does it cost to rent a tuktuk in Sri Lanka?
Through tuktukrental.com, you pay $20 per day to rent a tuktuk in Sri Lanka. If you go for the cool convertible tuktuk, you pay $24 per day (prices 2025). This includes insurance and in addition, you can also reach them almost 24 hours a day by phone or WhatsApp if you have questions or need help with the tuktuk.
To thank you as a loyal reader of our blog The World Trippers for your support, we were able to arrange a 5% discount code for you. If you use this link to rent your tuktuk from tuktukrental.com, you will automatically get 5% off the price. And don’t forget to send us a message or photo when you’re cruising around in your own tuktuk, because we really enjoy seeing that 🙂
Frequently asked questions about renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka
What do I do with my backpack or suitcase when I get out of the tuktuk to visit something?
You can buy a handy cable lock online in advance. You can tie this around your backpack, or maybe even your suitcase and attach it. That way no one can just take your stuff. To make it even more secure, you can always ask a local to keep an eye on you for a few hundred rupees. From experience we can say that at most places you should be more careful that the monkeys don’t take anything out of your bag, than you should be afraid that the locals steal something.
It is also advisable to close the tuktuk’s side flaps if you park the tuktuk somewhere where you can’t see it. This way, passersby are less likely to see the items in your tuktuk and it also protects your luggage from those cheeky macaques.
In addition, you won’t visit very many sights where you are far from your tuktuk as you are traveling from place to place. When you go for lunch or eat some fruit on the side of the road, park your tuktuk so that it is in your view.
Can I have my tuktuk delivered somewhere or transported in between?
Yes, this is definitely possible! You can fill out a form at tuktukrental.com with your pick-up and drop-off location. If this is not at the airport or Negombo, you do have to pay extra for this.
If you want to have your tuktuk transported on an interim basis – for example, because you want to experience the beautiful train journey from Kandy to Ella – this is also possible. To do this, you fill out a form at tuktukrental.com indicating the date and time that your train is going. Then an employee from tuktukrental will come and pick up the tuktuk and make sure it is ready for you again at your destination. Again, you have to pay a (small) fee for this.
What should I do if my tuktuk suddenly stops working?
As soon as you stop by the side of the road because something is wrong with your tuktuk, within 5 minutes a number of locals will stop to ask if everything is okay. Wherever you are, everyone stops to help each other. Most locals know a thing or two about a tuktuk. If they really can’t manage it, they will take you to a garage if necessary where the tuktuk can be looked at further. You really don’t have to worry about this.
Is it difficult to drive a tuktuk yourself?
The first 2 days will be a bit uncomfortable. You have to shift gears with your left hand, with a kind of brake held down while you accelerate with your right hand as if you were on a motorbike. Also, handling and cornering will be a little challenging at first. After all, you are riding on 3 wheels so you cannot take very sharp turns and especially not too fast. Yet after a day or 2 you will soon notice that it starts to get used to and after 5 days everything goes automatically and you tear across the road like a real Sri Lankan.
What are the roads like in Sri Lanka? Can you easily drive yourself here?
In general, we found the roads in Sri Lanka to be surprisingly good. Of course the roads in the mountains and around the tea fields are bumpy, full of large stones and unpaved, but if you follow the main roads then it is really okay. Most of your tuktuk journey through Sri Lanka you will also drive on paved roads. The traffic in Sri Lanka is the biggest challenge as the buses drive like crazy and you always have to give them the right of way. Otherwise they push you right off the road. This is very uncomfortable for us, but for your own safety you should follow this rule.
How fast can I drive my tuktuk?
You are officially allowed to drive 40 kilometers per hour everywhere in Sri Lanka by tuktuk. In some parts this is not possible, because you often only reach 20 kilometers per hour uphill. If you drive on the normal road you will notice that you are driving too fast. Be aware that in Sri Lanka there is a lot of police on the side of the road and that you – even as a tourist – can get a fine for this, besides it can be dangerous.
Can I get a discount on renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka?
Yes! As a reader of The World Trippers, we have arranged a 5% discount code on your booking with tuktukrental.com. When you rent your tuktuk through this link, you will automatically receive 5% off your total.
Enjoy beautiful Sri Lanka and renting your own tuktuk. You are going to have an insanely beautiful adventure in this wonderful country. We couldn’t think of a better way to experience this country. Leave a comment below if you have any questions or tips, or send us a message on Instagram. Read all of our Sri Lanka blogs here for more tips and comprehensive travel guides. Have fun!
Extra tip from flip: did you know you can also rent a tuktuk in Cambodia through Tuktukrental.com? Again, our 5% discount applies if you book through our link.
