So, you’ve decided to make Sri Lanka your next holiday adventure. (Great choice!) Your flights are booked and your itinerary is taking shape. The question remains, how do you get around this amazing island?
Well, there are some destinations that can be reached by air or rail but for the most part exploring Sri Lanka means travelling by road. And if you’re going to travel by road what better way than in a chauffeur driven car? That way you can sit back, relax, take in the scenery and arrive refreshed, ready to explore your destination!
Ok, I can hear you saying that the luxury of a chauffeur is out of your price range. Not in Sri Lanka. For a modest 50c-80c (USD) a kilometer you can hire a comfortable sedan or SUV and driver. That’s less than a DIY (drive it yourself) car in most other parts of the world.
Where do you begin? There are dozens of car hire companies here, most of whom like to call themselves ‘tour and travel companies’. (In some cases the business may offer travel services as well). So how do you choose which one to use?
Here are 4 things you should know to help you choose:
1. PRICE
As I mentioned earlier, the going rate is between Rs. 0.70 and Rs. 1.20 per kilometer depending on a number of factors:
a. Car size. Most companies will supply a sedan or town car (a Toyota Prius or similar) for parties of 2-3 people. Even if it is a slightly larger sedan, car hire companies are only licensed to take a maximum of 3 people a standard car. Forget the licensing restriction, it makes sense to stick to 3 if you’re hiring a sedan - no one wants to be stuck in the middle seat in the back for a 2-3 hour stretch! Expect to pay Rs 7,000 a day
The bigger the vehicle the higher the cost (although only slightly). Vans are most popular for 4-8 people. Mini busses are available for larger groups – although do bear in mind they don’t do so well on the “up-country” roads which can be narrow, with sharp steep turns. Expect to pay 7,500-9,000 per day
The most expensive car (apart from a luxury Merc or Beemer) is a good 4WD. Having said that, if you plan to travel extensively by car, I’d recommend spending a little extra on the SUV (A Toyota Prado will set you back around Rs12,000 or USD80 per day). For a few dollars more you’re assured of being able to go anywhere in comfort (some roads can be challenging for a town car) and being higher off the ground you’ll have much better views.
b. Length of Hire. Pricing will vary depending on whether you are hiring for a block of time (eg a number of days) or for a one-way drop off.
Long term hire: You should get a quote for a daily rate including a kilometer cap of usually 80-100km and a price per km after that (the per km price should be less then the daily rate divided by the km allowance . . . confused? Here’s and example: If your daily hire is Rs. 7,000 for 100km or Rs 70 per km then the amount per km after that should be Rs 60 or less). Do ensure you negotiate a cumulative km contract. In other words if you hire the car for 7 days (or 700km) then you should be able to travel 60km one day and 140km the next without incurring an extra charge for day two. IMPORTANT: Remember to take the Odometer reading at the beginning and end of each day and keep a note. Your driver may use the car for personal when you are not with him and you don’t want to pay for km’s you haven’t used.
One way hire: will see a higher km rate as the car is likely to have to ‘return to base’ and the price to do so is factored in.
c. Driver Accommodation. If you have chosen the long-term hire option, then ensure the price includes driver accommodation. Car hire companies will often dismiss this query as trivial. This is because up until recently the larger properties used to offer to accommodate drivers free of charge in dormitory style accommodation. This is becoming less and less common now and most smaller, boutique properties will offer drivers quarters at a nominal cost (say USD10-15 per day including meals). You will be asked to pay this charge and you need to ensure that your car hire company is willing to pay the fee (or if not, that you factor this charge into the quotation).
2. PAYMENT
As tempting and convenient as it may be, do not pay for your car hire up front. Should the car or driver not be ‘up to speed’ (more about that in the points below) and you’ve pre-paid you’ll find it difficult (if not impossible) to get a refund and change your provider.
By all means, pay a deposit (no more than 20%) and pay the rest at the end of your trip (less any deductions such as driver accommodation – see point 1c above).
3. ROADWORTHY CHECK
Before you confirm your booking advise the hire company that you intend to complete a roadworthy check before you accept the vehicle. You don’t need to be a mechanic just a simple check of:
a. Tires: Are they in good shape with plenty of tread?
b. Windscreen wipers: Are they in working order?
c. Brake, fog and head lights: Are they working?
d. Service record: Can they show when the vehicle was last serviced?
Perhaps you think I’m paranoid? When you have spent 3 hours on the side of the road in blazing hot sun waiting for brake pads to be sourced and changed; or when you have driven through blinding monsoon rain with one windscreen wiper and no demister . . . then you’ll appreciate the importance of checking your hire car out before you start your journey.
If the company you’re dealing with shies away from your request to complete the check, then you can be pretty well assured their cars are not in the best nick. Find another who is willing to provide a car that will pass this simple inspection.
4. YOUR DRIVER – what you should know
The barriers to entry into the world of tourist car driver are virtually non-existent. The Sri Lankan Tourist Board has an accreditation program for Tour Guides, Chauffeur Guides and for Tourist Drivers however it is not mandatory to hold a license to practice. So, what are some of the key things you should know about your driver (even if he is accredited) ?
a. He’s very likely to be working on commission.
Whether it’s a free lunch at a restaurant, a % of your purchases at the batik factory, a cup of tea and a piece of cake at the tea factory or a fuel voucher for taking you the handloom outlet; it is virtually guaranteed that your driver will recommend places thay are giving him an incentive to do so.
This may not seem so bad, except you will more often than not be taken to places that are not “best in class” but “best in commission” and the price you pay will be inflated by that commission amount. I was chatting with my jeweler recently and he told me that drivers receive a staggering 60% commission from some jewelry shops. So that lovely blue sapphire just more than doubled in price! It’s hard enough to determine what the true price of anything should be without having to take into account the amount added on for commission. My advice? Do your homework, pre-determine where you want to go (ask at the hotel or local restaurant; better still work it out whilst your'e in the itinerary planning stages) and don’t be guided by your driver.
b. He’s your employee
If you have chosen the long-term car hire option, you are going to be spending a lot of time with your driver. Naturally you will want to build a positive relationship with him; your trip will be all the more pleasant as a result, but do remember he is your employee. I can sight many cases where the driver has become a little too friendly towards his guests and they have been too embarrassed or felt awkward asking him not to encroach on time when they would rather be alone (lunch, dinner, etc). As I said, you are going to be spending a lot of time with him in the car as it is; you are entitled to your own time. Set the scene early and you shouldn’t have an issue; and if you don’t think twice about saying something!
c. Check his credentials
Easier said than done. Driving records, demerit points etc. are not a matter of course in Sri Lanka, so other than ensuring he has a driver’s license (and I’d ask to sight it) that is about all you can do. Mostly the roads are in good condition (although there is a 20km stretch of the A4 I was on the other day that left a lot to be desired) but they are two way (single lane in either direction) and are shared with motorbikes, tuk-tuks, busses, pushbikes, pedestrians, roadside vendors (who often encroach onto the road) and tractors. Yes, tractors pulling a trailer are a popular form of transport and have replaced the old ‘bullock cart’ which although rare can still be seen from time to time. So you need a driver who is alert and confident (you’ll need to overtake a lot). If you plan on going ‘off the beaten track’ he’ll also need to be able to negotiate sharp turns and steep hills, dirt roads and some which are narrower than usual. Check that he is experienced with up-country tea estate roads if you plan to head to the hills (highly recommended) and if you’ve gone to the expense of hiring an SUV, check he knows how to drive it in 4WD mode should you need to do so. If your driver isn’t making the grade, don’t hesitate to contact your provider and ask them to provide someone you are more comfortable with. After all, you don’t want your holiday marred by a driver who makes you feel unsafe.
Looking for help?
Keep these 4 things in mind when you are working with a car hire company and you're holiday will be in good shape. If you'd like some help planning an itinerary that will have you enjoying the sights more than being on the road, my itinerary service will be up and running in a few months - sign up now and I'll be in touch as soon its ready to roll. Meanwhile all questions and comments are welcome.
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