Renting a standard tuk tuk in Sri Lanka costs approximately €19 per day. A convertible tuk-tuk costs around €22 per day and an electric tuk-tuk costs around €27 per day. Other costs and options:

• Applying for a driving license = €37,-
• Return to another location = €14 – €172 (varies per location)
• Extra options: cool box, Bluetooth speaker, baby seat, surfboard rack = €1 per day

Yes, you need a Sri Lankan driver's license to rent a tuk tuk. You can easily apply for a driving license via the website Tuktuk Rental. Your driver's license will be ready for you when you pick up the tuk tuk. After receiving your driver's license, you will receive a driving lesson. The driving lesson takes approximately 1-2 hours.

The short answer, no. Drive yourself in a tuk tuk Sri Lanka is not difficult. However, it may take some time before you get used to shifting gears, traffic and driving on the left. You switch gears with your hands. In car terms: With your left hand you operate the gear lever, with your right hand you operate the gas pedal and you use your feet to operate the clutch and brake. You will experience that the first day will take some getting used to and after that it will become increasingly easier to drive this iconic means of transport.

If you book through Tuktuk Rental you are very flexible, because you can decide where you pick up and drop off the tuktuk. This flexibility can also be annoying because there are so many options! Need inspiration? View our varied itinerary through Sri Lanka here. We traveled by tuk tuk, train and bus.

It is possible to rent a tuk tuk and take the train route between Ella and Kandy to drive. The tuktuk can take you in the middle of your journey to Kandy, Hatton, Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) or Ella. Then you can take the train yourself. The costs for this extra service do not include fuel costs of €45.

A standard tuk tuk fits 3-4 people (excluding luggage). The driver sits in the front and the other three people sit in the back. Including luggage, a maximum of 3 people can fit in a tuk tuk. With two people you have enough space and with three people you will be a bit more cramped in the back seat.

According to Tuktuk Rental, there is a 95% chance that customers will have no problems with the tuktuk. If you are unlucky and fall within the 5% category, then there is nothing wrong with it. About a million tuk tuks drive on it Sri Lanka around, almost every local knows something about tuktuks. Sri Lankans are super helpful and happy to help you with problems. The parts are cheap and all repairs are covered by insurance. There are garages all over the island that repair tuk tuks.

So, you're still here. Here are 6 reasons why Tuktuk Rental is the best option to rent a tuktuk:

1. Tuktuk Rental is a professional company (comparable to a Dutch company).
2. Easily book via the Tuktuk Rental website.
3. Choice of different pick-up and drop-off locations.
4. Tuktuk Rental has an app with a map of more than 1000 useful locations, such as: garages (in case something is wrong with your tuktuk), recommended restaurants, recommended accommodations and nice spots.
5. Fully insured. Coincidentally, we had a broken battery. This was fully insured and we received good help.
6. Tuktuk Rental does not have its own tuktuks, but rents the tuktuks from locals. They pay the locals 5 times more than normal. So when you book with Tuktuk Rental, you are also helping the local population.

Driving a tuk tuk through Sri Lanka is an adventure in itself. Renting a tuktuk is more expensive than traveling by public transport. But what you get in return is a mountain of freedom and a unique opportunity to drive this iconic means of transport. The first day it takes some getting used to the controls of the tuktuk, the traffic and driving on the left. So take it easy on the first day. Driving a tuk tuk is a special experience that will stay with you forever!