Car with driver · 7 days · ~803 km
7 days in Sri Lanka with a private driver
The classic loop in one week: the rock fortress at Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country, Ella, a Yala safari and Galle on the way back to the airport. You get one car and one driver for seven days; you choose the hotels.
| Sedan up to 3 | $555 | ≈ $79/day |
| Minivan (KDH) up to 6 | $695 | ≈ $99/day |
| SUV up to 4 | $1,015 | ≈ $145/day |
$79/day × 7 days = $555 · per car, all days
Best for a first visit from December to April, when the hill country and the south coast are both in season.
Day by day
- Day 1Airport → Sigiriya150 km · ~4 h
Pickup at CMB, drive to the cultural triangle; Dambulla cave temple on the way if you land early.
- Day 2Sigiriya & Dambulla60 km · ~2 h
Climb Sigiriya at 7:00, Dambulla caves or an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya/Kaudulla (jeep and tickets extra).
- Day 3Sigiriya → Kandy95 km · ~3 h
Spice garden at Matale, Temple of the Tooth in the evening.
- Day 4Kandy → Nuwara Eliya78 km · ~3 h
Ramboda pass, tea factory with tasting, Gregory Lake.
- Day 5Nuwara Eliya → Ella60 km · ~2 h 30 min
Drive, or take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella (running since June 2026) while the car brings the luggage. Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak.
- Day 6Ella → Yala90 km · ~2 h 30 min
Down to Tissamaharama; afternoon safari in a private jeep (jeep and park tickets extra, or take our safari combo).
- Day 7Yala → Galle → Airport270 km · ~5 h 30 min
Along the south coast, 2 hours in Galle Fort, then the expressway to CMB — or end at a beach hotel and book the airport transfer later.
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 7 days
- Driver's room and meals every night
- Fuel, expressway tolls and parking
- 1,050 km included (this route is about 803 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 7 days, all-in except hotels | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Axio / Prius / Premio | $555 ≈ $79/day · ≈ Rs 183,000 | $278 | $185 | — | — |
| Minivan (KDH) up to 6 Toyota HiAce KDH, high roof | $695 ≈ $99/day · ≈ Rs 229,500 | $348 | $232 | $174 | $116 |
| SUV up to 4 Prado / Montero class, leather, more legroom | $1,015 ≈ $145/day · ≈ Rs 335,000 | $508 | $338 | $254 | — |
| Coach up to 20 Toyota Coaster, up to 20 seats | $1,610 ≈ $230/day · ≈ Rs 531,500 | $805 | $537 | $403 | $268 |
Prices updated 20 October 2026.
Facts checked in October 2026; prices of tickets and parks change — check before you go.
Questions
How much is 7 days in Sri Lanka with a private driver?
$555 for a sedan (up to 3 people), $695 for a KDH minivan (up to 6), $1,015 for an SUV — per car for all 7 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, 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.