Colombo car hire information
| Pick-up location | Colombo |
|---|---|
| Car types | Commercial, Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size SUV, Intermediate SUV, Passenger van, Premium SUV, Standard, Standard SUV |
| Hire locations | 42 |
| Airport locations | 5 |
| Popular agencies | SR RENT A CAR , Sri Lanka Rent a Car, Hertz, Sixt |
Cheap car hire in Colombo
| Economy | £22/day |
| Compact | £20/day |
| Standard | £34/day |
| Full-size SUV | £68/day |
| Passenger van | £72/day |
| Premium SUV | £120/day |
| Intermediate SUV | £59/day |
| Commercial | £72/day |
| Standard SUV | £104/day |
| Compact SUV | £104/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Colombo
- 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 £28 or less
- Book your car hire in Colombo at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport car hire locations in Colombo are around 31% cheaper than airport locations on average
- Compact car hire in Colombo are around 42% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car hire in Colombo
What type of car is recommended for driving in Colombo?
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.
What’s the speed limit in Colombo?
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.
Where are the best places to park in Colombo?
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.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Colombo?
On average a car hire in Colombo costs £36 per day.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Colombo?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Hertz (£20/day), Sri Lanka Rent a Car (£22/day) and Sixt (£68/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest hire car price was found at Hertz Lvl 1 130 Nawala Rd 00500 (4 miles from the city centre).
How much is the price of fuel in Colombo?
The average price of fuel in Colombo is £3.84 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £46 and £61, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Colombo?
Compact (Perodua Axia or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Colombo.
Which car hire agencies are at Bandaranaike Intl airport (CMB)?
Car hire companies onsite at Bandaranaike Intl airport include SR RENT A CAR and Sri Lanka Rent a Car.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Bandaranaike Intl airport (CMB)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Bandaranaike Intl airport to off-airport locations include Casons Rent A Car, Europcar, Kings Rental Corfu and Sixt.
How can I find car hires near me in Colombo?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Colombo?
A Compact car hire in Colombo costs £26 per day, on average.
How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Colombo?
A Full Size car hire in Colombo costs £37 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Colombo?
An Intermediate car hire in Colombo costs £34 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in Colombo?
In Colombo, cars are most frequently hired at SR RENT A CAR Colombo Airport (17 miles from city centre).
How much does a car hire in Colombo cost for a week?
On average a car hire in Colombo costs £250 per week (£36 per day).
How much does a car hire in Colombo cost for a month?
On average a car hire in Colombo costs £1,070 per month (£36 per day).
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Colombo?
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.
Colombo car hire reviews and directory
Hertz
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
Cleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
10.0
One location in Colombo
Sixt
4.7
Mediocre
No reviews available
Cleanliness
6.3
Comfort
3.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.7
Value for money
3.9
2 locations in Colombo
keddy by Europcar
6.4
Okay
No reviews available
3 locations in Colombo
GREEN MOTION
4.1
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Colombo
SR RENT A CAR
No score available yet
22 locations in Colombo
Casons Rent A Car
No score available yet
8 locations in Colombo
Kings Rental Corfu
No score available yet
2 locations in Colombo
Europcar
No score available yet
One location in Colombo
Sri Lanka Rent a Car
No score available yet
One location in Colombo
Car hire locations in or near Colombo
Good to know
Most popular agency | SR RENT A CAR |
|---|---|
Most popular car type | Compact |
Average price | £36/day |
Good deal | £28/day |
When to book a car hire in Colombo
Car hire insurance in Colombo
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver
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 being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Colombo.
Deductible
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Colombo car hire.