Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Places
  4. / Asia
  5. / Sri Lanka

by Neil and Judy on July 31st, 2008

Neil and Judy

Question

Help answer this question below.

Has anybody used a car and driver in Sri Lanka? If so, any tips about etiquette? Do drivers expect tips each day? Is it usual to buy the driver a present? If so what kind of thing is appropriate?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 12 helpful answers below.

  • by joeuthaya on October 21st, 2009

    joeuthaya

    I welcome you to my beautiful Island.
    I welcome you to my beautiful Island, Sri Lanka.The Island’s proud history of over 2500 years and the Breathtaking diversity of scenery Will capture your heart and soul like no other destination. May the time you spend in our Island be filled with exciting Experiences- memories of which you Will carry long after you leave our shores. Sri Lanka a small island with many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors.

    The entire island is teeming with bird life, rolling hills to escape the heat of the plains in the cool of tea plantations and exotics like elephants and leopards are not uncommon. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low.

    Marco Polo considered Sri Lanka the finest island of its size in all the world, and you'll likely agree after exploring the country's fabled delights. The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as the eye can see. The Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil dances expose the culture of Sri Lanka. You'll find enough ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy that inner archaeologist.

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by lal on October 1st, 2009

    lal

    I went to Sri Lankatimes and we hire a car with driver. It's the only way to get around comfortably, especially if you have limited time and you wouldn't want to drive yourself. There are many big operators but I'd recommend ala family-run business who will give you very personal attention, make your hotel bookings and very importantly, give you free advice on your planned itinerary. Many people plan too much, not realising how long it takes to get anywhere on Sri Lankan roads. You can contact this family business through their web site,
    happy chapy sri lanka

    Jakiro

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by udayachandra on September 10th, 2009

    udayachandra

    Please add another driver to the office list of drivers available for
    airport pickups, tours, weekend wandering, rides between Colombo and
    Kandy, and so on. This man is very good.

    Maybe you know him, or have heard of him, already. Everyone knows him
    as Udaya. His complete name is Udaya chandra . He happens to live just
    down the road from me here, next door to his father-in-law -- who in
    fact is none other than Carl Muller.

    Udaya just drove me on a very pleasant trip to Trincomalee, with a stop
    at Polonnaruwa on the way back to Kandy, and he was more than
    excellent. Very smart, upbeat, friendly. His approach to the police
    and soldiers at the checkpoints seemed to be, "Either these guys are
    already my friends or they will be before we move on," and it works
    beautifully. They all like him, and he knows how to avoid any hassles
    either at checkpoints or at hotels. Also, he seems most definitely not
    to milk his customers for commissions at hotels, shops or restaurants.
    Also, he speaks fluent Tamil as well as Sinhala, and his English is
    about the best of any driver I've had here. And he charges less than
    anyone else whose services I've used. His E mail is michelleuthaya@yahoo.com
    Enthusiastically,
    John
    USA

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by udayachandra on August 23rd, 2009

    udayachandra

    Iam Udaya writing this mail from Center of Kandy Sri Lanka.
    I am doing the tourist hire for reasonable rates. I have served for many tourists and locals.
    My service starts at the Airport and a tour to the hill country, coastal areas, and its extended
    most popular tourist places and finally ends at the airport. I have a car and van -- air conditioned,and Fully insured ( with passengers }.Prices include car, Good experienced English speaking driver, Fuel and drivers meals
    Looking forward to serving you for a delightful holiday here in Sri Lanka, michelleuthaya@yahoo.com Call me any time+94 771660008
    Udaya

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Wind in the Willow on October 21st, 2009

    Wind in the Willow

    This was a lovely question to read. Seldom do I read all the answers to a question but this one had so much nice info about Sri Lanka that I had to read them all. I am thinking of one day moving from my country and moving in or near India. I think Sri Lanka might work for me.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Trash Street on July 31st, 2008

    Trash Street

    Its been a longtime. But when I was young man in the military back in the early 1980's. I did a lot of traveling in asian countries. I was in Sri Lanka but I dont recall ever getting a taxi there. I remember in all the other countries I was in I learned to be real careful as to who I picked as a taxi driver. If I had to do it all again. I would walk to the nearest church and ask the pastor or priest if they had any church members who were taxi drivers and ask them to recommend a good taxi driver. It takes a little longer to get a taxi this way. But, after all the times I got bad taxi drivers who try to rip me off or dump me someplace far from my destination. Its worth the extra time to try and get a taxi driver with some moral reasoning.

    Hope that helps.

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by cp9588 on September 25th, 2011

    cp9588

    Guest Book
    Reply Marc
    10:43 AM on August 29, 2011
    To the visitors of the website,
    If you are reading through this site, you are probably planning a trip to the beautiful country of Sri Lanka. Allow me to introduce you to one of it's greatest citizens: Udaya.
    He is 100% Sri Lankan, very pround about his country, loving his job and gratefull towards the tourists visiting.
    He helps with the planning of your tour, respects the timings and allows you to see the islands most valuable treasures, both known and hidden.
    He is a man of trusts, always honest and correct. A very reliable driver in the chaotic Sri lankan traffic. Always ready for his customers, entertaining us with a joke or funny story.
    His attitude is remarkable during the entire trip: you are on holiday and he won't go to sleep before he knows you are completely happy and satisfied.
    We realy enjoyed our 8 days together and made a lot of fun. He's a great guy, and we can heartily recommend him to anyone.
    Gary, Nina, Noor, Marc

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Macca on August 17th, 2010

    Macca

    I met a bloke from there once

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by milindavj7 on February 18th, 2011

    milindavj7

    contact me

    milinda - +94772346342
    milindvj7@gmail.com

    my vehicles are in very good conditions and rates also attractive....

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Nilushe_V on May 15th, 2011

    Nilushe_V

    After reading about many car+driver services in Sri Lanka, we contacted a few who seemed ok. Eventually we chose Sri Lankan Hires, as their quick responses to our email inquiries gave us a lot of confidence in them, and their price was very reasonable. We also appreciated that they didn't lowball the price and then tack on extras.

    They were great in every respect. In fact, the one time we had to call from the road (we'd lost our driver's cellphone number and needed to contact him) their staff was quick, courteous, and helpful. Once on the road, we had to make a number of changes to our itinerary due to flooding in the Anaradapura and Polonarruwa areas. From the first day, our driver, Thilanka, put our safety first, but also did his best to get us where we had hoped to go. In Anaradapura, he found a local expert who could identify which roads were still open, and we were able to visit much of the ruins. When leaving Anaradapura, many of the roads were impassable due to high waters; Thilanka patiently and calmly backtracked several times until he found a way to get us down to Kandy. He loaned us his cell phone and helped us to make changes to our hotel arrangements, and made suggestions for an alternative itinerary in the area around Kandy. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the area, and was a skilled and careful driver. A bonus for us was his engaging and friendly personality. Traveling with him was a true pleasure!

    We highly recommend Sri Lankan Hires to any visitor to Sri Lanka!

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Crishantha_P on June 6th, 2011

    Crishantha_P

    tet

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by performanz on August 17th, 2010

    performanz

    I have booked a driver for several days and was very happy about his service. His english was very good and he showed me all interestig things in an around Colombo.
    Actually i have been there for a short business trip but i had really much fun with this man. Most time we had lunch and dinner together and he brought me to restaurants, which i never would have found by myself. He told me, he also make tours round the island. He charged me around 5.000 Rupia a day -no matter where i wanted to go. I gave him no presents or tips and i think he didnt expect any. But when we had lunch together, i invited him. His name is Asela (drivesrilanka@gmail.com or +94 777 114069)

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Has anybody used a car and driver in Sri Lanka? If so, any tips about etiquette? Do drivers expect tips each day? Is it usual to buy the driver a present? If so what kind of thing is appropriate?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Anybody needing a driver in sri lanka
Sri lanka car and driver
Srilanka car with driver
Michelleuthaya yahoo com
Car with driver sri lanka

Answerbag

a Demand Media company