Colombo car hires from £22/day

Driving in Colombo traffic involves almost constant vying for space on the road, which is why a compact vehicle might be the best choice for getting around the inner city. That being said, those travelling in larger groups or with plans on exploring the rural areas would be better suited to a bigger vehicle, such as an SUV.

For your car hire in Colombo, it is important to be aware of the speed limits imposed across Sri Lanka. For urban areas, this is 60km/h (roughly 40mph) for cars and light vehicles, which rises to 70km/h (roughly 45mph) outside the city. Of course, going at such speed will only be possible when the traffic permits it and it is always wise to reduce your speed while getting used to Colombo’s roads.

Much of the car parking in Colombo is operated by Tenaga, which not only provides private multi-storey car parks, but also operates the smart parking meters that can be found at the side of the road. A Touch Parking Card can be bought for about Rs.200 (roughly £1.97) and can be used throughout the network, you simply need to top up your balance to ensure you always have money on your card. Parking can also be found in commercial areas, but be aware that use is usually limited to customers only.

On average a car hire in Colombo costs £37 per day.

Car hire companies onsite at Bandaranaike Intl airport include SR RENT A CAR, Sri Lanka Rent a Car and keddy by Europcar.

Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Bandaranaike Intl airport to off-airport locations include Europcar and Sixt.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

A Compact car hire in Colombo costs £28 per day, on average.

An Economy car hire in Colombo costs £30 per day, on average.

A Mini car hire in Colombo costs £41 per day, on average.

In Colombo, cars are most frequently hired at Hertz Lvl 1 130 Nawala Rd (4 miles from city centre).

Most car hire providers in Colombo offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Colombo, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.