Taxis and tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka

The simplest way to get around Sri Lankan towns fairly is a ride app. PickMe is the homegrown leader and covers the most ground, including metered tuk-tuks as well as cars; Uber operates in Colombo and some larger cities. Both show the fare up front and let you pay by app or cash, which takes the negotiation out of it entirely, the single best thing you can do to avoid tourist pricing.

Download PickMe before you arrive and add a payment method, and you will rarely need to argue about a fare.

Flagging a tuk-tuk on the street is part of the fun, but it is where overcharging happens. Many Colombo tuk-tuks have meters, so look for one and ask the driver to use it. If there is no meter, agree the fare before you climb in, and have a rough idea of the going rate from a quick app quote first.

The common lines are that the meter is broken, or a flat tourist price several times the real fare. It is rarely a lot of money, but a quick PickMe check keeps you honest and unbothered.

At Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) near Colombo, use the official airport taxi counter for a set fare, or book a PickMe or Uber from the app at the designated pickup area. Both are fine, and the counter is simplest late at night.

Do not agree a ride with a tout who approaches you inside the terminal. If your hotel offers a fixed-price airport transfer, that is also a safe, easy option, just confirm the price in advance.

For getting between towns, many visitors hire a car and driver for a day or several, which is affordable and common in Sri Lanka; agree the daily rate, and whether fuel and the driver's meals are included, up front. Trains and buses are cheap and scenic but cash-only and often crowded.

For how money works more broadly, and what to tip a driver, see the Sri Lanka money guide.

Common questions

Quick answers.

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