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Car hire in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Colombo

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Colombo car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Colombo pick-up location

There are 15 car hire locations in Colombo. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Colombo

Hiring a car in Colombo: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companySr Rent A Car
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$138
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Colombo

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Colombo car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Colombo

Finding cheap car hire deals in Colombo is straightforward with our search features. Skyscanner offers over 10 pickup locations for your convenience. Take advantage of options with free cancellation to keep your plans flexible. Opt for 'full to full' deals to save money on fuel, as you'll return the car with a full tank just as you received it. Consider keyless pick-up options to bypass the queues and start your journey sooner. Search on Skyscanner to find the perfect car hire for your Colombo trip.

The best time to book a car in Colombo

Booking your car hire in Colombo about two weeks in advance usually gets you the best deal. September tends to be the cheapest month. Events and festivals, like the Vesak Festival, can influence availability, so it's recommended you book earlier during these times.

What you'll need when hiring a car in Colombo

To explore Colombo and beyond, consider hiring a car through Skyscanner for flexibility and convenience. The minimum driving age in Sri Lanka is 18, but most car hire providers require drivers to be at least 21 to rent. Different companies may have varying rules, and young driver surcharges may apply if you are under a certain age. Ensure you have all the necessary documentation; a valid driver's licence is essential, and sometimes an international driving permit is required in Sri Lanka. Skyscanner lists options from multiple providers, helping you find the best deal for your needs.

Car hire in Colombo: top tips for driving in Sri Lanka

Remember that traffic in Colombo flows on the left side of the road. Speed limits vary: 100 km/h on highways, 70 km/h on country roads, and 50 km/h in city areas. With comprehensive Google Maps coverage available, navigating around Sri Lanka is straightforward. For a day trip, consider driving to Kandy, which is about 115 km away and takes roughly 3 hours. Alternatively, Galle is approximately 120 km from Colombo and can be reached in about 2.5 hours. For a longer journey, Nuwara Eliya is around 170 km away, taking nearly 5 hours to drive.

Frequently asked questions

The cheapest car to rent in Colombo is a compact estate (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Colombo are currently Keddy By Europcar and Hertz.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Colombo is currently February.
On average, around $373. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Colombo is $80.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Colombo for a whole month is $4,586. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Colombo, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Colombo that have free cancellation. 
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Colombo.
Most places – Colombo included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $75 per day. The average price per day is around $138.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Sr Rent A Car, Hertz and Ace Rent a Car offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Hertz as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Colombo.

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