By the H.B.S. Rent a Car team · Published · Updated
Australian drivers start with an advantage: you already drive on the left, in a right-hand-drive car. Sri Lanka's difficulties are different ones: dense traffic, narrow roads and distances that take much longer than you expect. This guide covers what Australian visitors need to arrange and how to plan a trip that suits the Australian travel calendar.
Licence and International Driving Permit
Under our rental terms a foreign driver must hold a valid national licence and a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) or obtain a temporary endorsement from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC). In Australia, IDPs are issued by the state and territory motoring clubs. Apply before you leave, and take your licence and passport. Rules for foreign drivers in Sri Lanka have changed more than once, so confirm the current steps with the AAC or the Department of Motor Traffic. See driving licence rules for tourists.
How the roads compare with home
The biggest surprises for Australians are density and speed. Even main roads pass through villages and towns, and there are few places to overtake. A 100 km trip on an Australian highway takes about an hour; in Sri Lanka allow 2.5 to 3 hours. The Southern Expressway is the exception: it is modern and fast, with a maximum of 100 km/h.
| Topic | Australia | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Side of the road | Left | Left |
| Typical highway speed | 100-110 km/h | 40-70 km/h on ordinary roads; up to 100 km/h on expressways |
| Distance covered in an hour | 80-100 km | 30-50 km |
| Animals on the road | Kangaroos and livestock at dusk | Dogs, cattle, monkeys and sometimes elephants |
| Other road users | Mostly cars and trucks | Buses, three-wheelers, motorbikes, cyclists, pedestrians |
When to go
Many Australians travel in December and January and around Easter. Sri Lanka has two monsoon systems. The south-west monsoon (roughly May to September) brings rain to the west and south coast and the hills. The north-east monsoon (roughly October to January) affects the east and north. The west and south coasts and the hill country are usually at their best between December and March, which is the busiest period for rentals, so book early. Check conditions close to your dates.
A two-week family route
Family trips from Australia are usually two weeks. Use a larger vehicle for the luggage; a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado seats 7 and a Toyota Hiace KDH van seats 10 or more. Keep daily driving short while children adapt.
- Days 1-2: Negombo or Colombo to recover from the flight
- Days 3-4: Sigiriya and Dambulla, with Habarana wildlife safari
- Days 5-6: Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth
- Days 7-9: Nuwara Eliya and Ella for tea country and train rides
- Days 10-11: Yala or Udawalawe for a safari
- Days 12-14: Galle, Mirissa or Bentota on the coast, then back to the airport
Practical advice
- Child seats can be arranged on request; ask when you book.
- Avoid driving after dark outside the expressways.
- Carry your travel insurance details; see our travel advisory guide and check the Smartraveller advice for Sri Lanka before you go.
- Think about a driver for the first two days, to recover from the long flight; see chauffeur-driven tours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Australian licence in Sri Lanka?
Is driving in Sri Lanka similar to Australia?
Can I get a car that seats a family of five or more?
What is the best time for a trip?
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