Car with driver · 10 days · ~953 km
10 days in Sri Lanka with a private driver from Colombo airport
The same classic loop at a human pace: an extra day for Polonnaruwa and an elephant safari, a full day in Kandy, and a night on the beach at Mirissa before Galle and the flight home.
| Sedan up to 3 | $765 | ≈ $77/day |
| Minivan (KDH) up to 6 | $960 | ≈ $96/day |
| SUV up to 4 | $1,405 | ≈ $141/day |
$79/day × 10 days − 3% for 10+ days = $765 · per car, all days
The most popular length. December to April for the full loop; in May–September consider the east coast instead of Mirissa.
Day by day
- Day 1Airport → Sigiriya150 km · ~4 h
Pickup at CMB, drive north to the cultural triangle.
- Day 2Sigiriya & Dambulla40 km · ~1 h 30 min
Sigiriya rock at sunrise, Dambulla cave temple, Pidurangala for sunset.
- Day 3Polonnaruwa & Minneriya130 km · ~3 h 30 min
Ruins of the medieval capital by bicycle or car, afternoon elephant safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla (jeep extra).
- Day 4Sigiriya → Kandy95 km · ~3 h
Via Matale spice gardens; evening at the Temple of the Tooth.
- Day 5Kandy30 km · ~1 h
Peradeniya botanical gardens, the lake, a Kandyan dance show. Short-distance day.
- Day 6Kandy → Nuwara Eliya78 km · ~3 h
Ramboda pass and a tea factory.
- Day 7Nuwara Eliya → Ella60 km · ~2 h 30 min
By car, or the train Nanu Oya → Ella while the driver takes the luggage.
- Day 8Ella → Yala90 km · ~2 h 30 min
Morning in Ella, afternoon safari in Yala (jeep and tickets extra).
- Day 9Yala → Mirissa90 km · ~2 h
To the beach; whale watching season is roughly November to April.
- Day 10Mirissa → Galle → Airport190 km · ~4 h
Galle Fort for lunch, then the expressway to CMB.
Train status (checked 18 October 2026): after Cyclone Ditwah the hill-country railway is reopening in stages. Nanu Oya – Ella – Badulla has run since 20 June 2026 and Colombo – Peradeniya/Gampola since 2 October 2026, but trains still do not reach Kandy (Peradeniya bridge rebuild) and nothing runs between Gampola and Nanu Oya. So the classic Kandy–Ella train is not possible yet — the driver takes you to Nanu Oya, you ride the most scenic part to Ella, and the car meets you there with the luggage.
Included
- Private car and English-speaking driver for all 10 days
- Driver's room and meals every night
- Fuel, expressway tolls and parking
- 1,500 km included (this route is about 953 km)
- Airport pickup on day 1 with a name sign; drop-off on the last day
- Changes to the route on the way
Not included
- Hotels — you book them (we can suggest options along the route)
- Entrance tickets: e.g. Sigiriya about $35, Temple of the Tooth about Rs 2,000, Yala about $45 per adult with taxes
- Safari jeeps (about $40–60 per jeep for a half day)
- Your meals and tips
Price per car
| Car | Per car 10 days, all-in except hotels | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Axio / Prius / Premio | $765 ≈ $77/day · ≈ Rs 252,500 | $383 | $255 | — | — |
| Minivan (KDH) up to 6 Toyota HiAce KDH, high roof | $960 ≈ $96/day · ≈ Rs 317,000 | $480 | $320 | $240 | $160 |
| SUV up to 4 Prado / Montero class, leather, more legroom | $1,405 ≈ $141/day · ≈ Rs 463,500 | $703 | $468 | $351 | — |
| Coach up to 20 Toyota Coaster, up to 20 seats | $2,230 ≈ $223/day · ≈ Rs 736,000 | $1,115 | $743 | $558 | $372 |
Prices updated 20 October 2026.
Facts checked in October 2026; prices of tickets and parks change — check before you go.
Questions
How much is 10 days in Sri Lanka with a private driver?
$765 for a sedan (up to 3 people), $960 for a KDH minivan (up to 6), $1,405 for an SUV — per car for all 10 days, including the driver's lodging, fuel and tolls. Hotels and tickets are extra.
How is the price calculated?
Our daily rate times the number of days, minus 3% for a hire of this length, rounded to $5. Planning your own route for the same number of days costs the same.
Why are hotels not included?
We sell transport only, so you keep full control of where you stay and pay hotels directly — usually cheaper than a package mark-up. Tell us your budget and we suggest hotels along the route.
Can we change the route?
Yes. This is a suggested route; swap, add or skip places. As long as the total stays within the included kilometres, the price does not change.
What about the Kandy–Ella train?
Train status (checked 18 October 2026): after Cyclone Ditwah the hill-country railway is reopening in stages. Nanu Oya – Ella – Badulla has run since 20 June 2026 and Colombo – Peradeniya/Gampola since 2 October 2026, but trains still do not reach Kandy (Peradeniya bridge rebuild) and nothing runs between Gampola and Nanu Oya. So the classic Kandy–Ella train is not possible yet — the driver takes you to Nanu Oya, you ride the most scenic part to Ella, and the car meets you there with the luggage.