How To Get Around Sri Lanka
When booking our trip to Sri Lanka we made a silly mistake in thinking two weeks would be enough time to see and do everything we wanted. We didn't realise just how much the country had to offer and weren't willing to compromise when it came to seeing everything we wanted to see!
It quickly became apparent that we would need to find the best mode of transport in order to maximise the amount we could fit in. Unfortunately transportation in Sri Lanka is still rather dated so no matter which option you go for, getting around will always come with its challenges. We decided to go for the self drive option and whilst it suited us, it really isn't for everyone as driving can be quite dangerous if you aren't used to driving in Asia already. There are quite a few options though you really just have to decide what suits you and at the same time your budget.
1. Self driving:
For us self driving was great, so convenient, we loved the flexibility and also a having break from carrying our bags around with us. It was reasonably affordable, the hire company dropped the car to our resort and met us at the airport at 4am to pick it up. However it definitely had its downsides, the roads in some areas were quite poor, the other drivers can be quite intimidating and sometimes dangerous overtaking on blind corners etc and you always had to be on the lookout for the next person, dog, goat or cow running into the road. All of this meant Nick had to pay 100% attention to the roads which did become pretty exhausting for him. But overall an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Tip - if you decide to drive get a tourist sim and google maps, the signal is good in most areas and Google maps works out there! We originally got a sat
2. Hiring a driver:
Whilst this is the most expensive option it is still a lot cheaper then it would be in other countries so is still worth considering. Now whilst this almost has all the same benefits in terms of convenience, without having to worry about the roads yourself, it does still have its downsides. When you hire a driver you are expected to provide accommodation for them, now a number of more expensive hotels do offer free accommodation for them but if they don't then you will have to cover the expense. We did also see a few occasions where the driver was sat at lunch/dinner with his passengers which did look quite awkward (not sure if they invited him or this is what is expected). Finally you are also putting your trust in a random person who has probably become accustomed to the Sri Lankan way of driving, this could be a positive or a negative.
3. Travel by train:
Train travel in Sri Lanka can be a tourist attraction in itself. While most routes are known for their beauty, the route between Kandy and Ella usually forms a part of many tourists itineraries. Unfortunately the infrastructure is still rather dated and only runs on a few set routes which ruled it out for us, but if you are sticking to a few main towns you might be fine. Whilst we didn't travel by train from what we read 3rd class carriages can get quite cramped and hot but if you pay the extra and go for 1st or 2nd the carriages are reasonably spacious and sometimes airconditioned! A tip we read somewhere is be prepared and book your tickets in advance for the first and second class seats, during peak seasons they can get booked up early!
4. Travel by bus:
Photo credit: @jenek69
Buses run quite regularly, between most routes and as the locals use them they are very affordable! If you are a backpacker looking to travel a lot, very cheaply this may be your solution, but with that said, from what we saw travelling by bus can be dangerous. The buses we encountered had us emergency stopping as they were coming around a corner so fast they were tipping over, they forced
us into the middle of the road by pulling straight into us on a dual carriageway and double overtook on a blind corner in the middle of the mountains. As the buses are also overcrowded there is the possibility that you won't always get a seat, now from the driving we saw I can't imagine it's a very comfortable ride!
4. Get a Tuk Tuk:
Photo credit: @jeby0070
Now this is something we can't advise on in the slightest, but at the same time something we both came away thinking that it might have been a better option for us. Tuk Tuks travel everywhere so whilst it could get uncomfortable on some rides, usually we found our longest journey would have been about 3-4 hours a day (if we hadn't got lost), so for the lack of stress caused to the driver this may work out the more sensible option.
If anyone has or does choose to do this let us know, we would be really interested to hear!
Hope this helps, if you have any questions let us know.
To see our journey traveling across Sri Lanka in thirteen days, check out our video below..
