Some Colombo car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Colombo.
Keep in mind that car rental insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your rental. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Colombo car rental.
The vibrant city of Colombo has plenty to offer, making it loved by locals and visitors alike. However, car hire in Colombo means you can get your own vehicle and discover the riches of the surrounding area as well. For example, you can drive out to the various Buddhist temples dotted around the region, take a trip down the coast to Wellawatte Beach (5 miles from city centre), or visit the Archaeology Museum Kotte (5 miles from city centre) for an insight into the rich history of Colombo.
Bandaranaike International Airport CMB is Sri Lanka’s premier airport, offering international flights and sitting just 20 km (18 miles) from Colombo city centre. At the airport building, you can find car hire representatives from companies such as Sixt and Sri Lanka Rent a Car, so it’s easy to organise Colombo car hire alongside the rest of your journey. In the centre itself, there are plenty of other car hire companies operating, making it easy to find the perfect deal.
Experienced drivers or those who have previously driven in Sri Lanka should be able to deal with the roads in Colombo: plenty of traffic and a variety of vehicles, from ox carts to mopeds, make it a challenge, but this is mainly limited to the urban centres. Don’t be afraid to use your horn if you want to let a fellow driver know you are there and, of course, remember that in Sri Lanka you drive on the left like in the UK and Australia.
There is plenty of traffic throughout the day in the inner-city of Colombo, so you should take this into consideration when planning any journey. However, it is important to be careful when driving at night as well; while the roads are less busy, they can be dangerous for those not familiar with the city. The weather in Colombo is generally manageable, but on particularly hot days or during the wet season, you may need to consider ways of avoiding extreme conditions.
25% of our users found a car hire in Colombo for £30 or less
Book your car hire in Colombo at least 7 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Mini car hires in Colombo are around 34% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car rentals in Colombo
Some car hire companies in Colombo which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Europcar and Hertz
On average a hire car in Colombo costs £36 per day.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Sixt (£32/day), SR RENT A CAR (£43/day) and Sri Lanka Rent a Car (£110/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest hire car price was found at Sixt Canada Frienship Road 11450 (16 miles from the city centre).
The average price of fuel in Colombo is £3.22 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £39 and £52, depending on the car size.
Mini (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Colombo.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
A Mini car hire in Colombo costs £23 per day, on average.
A Economy car hire in Colombo costs £27 per day, on average.
A Compact car hire in Colombo costs £34 per day, on average.
In Colombo, cars are most frequently hired at Europcar Canada Friendship Rd (16 miles from city centre).
On average hiring a car in Colombo costs £250 per week (£36 per day).
On average a car hire in Colombo costs £1,069 per month (£36 per 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.