Frequently Asked Questions

Trip Sri Lanka is a locally owned travel company specialising in private chauffeur-guided tours, tailor-made holidays, airport transfers, and authentic travel experiences across Sri Lanka. Our itineraries are personalised to your interests, travel style, and budget, allowing you to experience the island comfortably with experienced local chauffeurs who know Sri Lanka inside and out. Learn more About Us.

Private tours give you complete flexibility. You travel at your own pace, choose the attractions that interest you most, spend more time where you want, and enjoy a dedicated chauffeur without sharing your holiday with strangers.

Absolutely. Every itinerary can be fully customised based on your travel dates, interests, accommodation preferences, activity level, and budget.

Most travellers choose one of the following:

• 5–6 Days – Highlights
• 7–9 Days – Classic Sri Lanka
• 10–14 Days – Complete Island Experience
• 15+ Days – Luxury & Hidden Gems

We’ll recommend the ideal itinerary based on your available time. Take a look at our 7-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary for an example of a well-paced first visit.

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. Different regions experience different weather patterns, allowing visitors to enjoy beaches, wildlife, mountains, and cultural sites throughout the year. We will recommend the best route based on your travel dates — see our Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka Guide for a month-by-month breakdown.

Most visitors require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival. Requirements can change, so please check the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration website before booking your flights.

Yes. Your chauffeur guide will meet you at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) holding a Trip Sri Lanka welcome sign, ready to start your journey as soon as you land.

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) is the official currency. Major credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and larger shops, but it’s useful to carry some local cash for smaller purchases, tips, and rural areas.

Australian dollars are not widely accepted for everyday payments in Sri Lanka. We recommend exchanging AUD (or USD/EUR) into Sri Lankan Rupees at a bank, licensed money changer, or the airport on arrival.

Yes. Bandaranaike International Airport has currency exchange counters and ATMs in the arrivals area, so you can exchange money or withdraw Sri Lankan Rupees as soon as you land.

Yes. Airport transfers are available to and from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), as well as pick-up and drop-off at hotels in Colombo, Negombo, and surrounding areas. See our full Sri Lanka Airport Transfer Guide for more detail.

Yes. Your chauffeur guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals area holding a Trip Sri Lanka welcome sign with your name, ready to assist with your luggage.

Yes. Flights arrive at all hours, so airport transfers are available regardless of your arrival time, day or night.

Your chauffeur will be holding a sign with the Trip Sri Lanka name and your name on it. Your driver’s name and contact details are also shared with you in advance of your arrival.

We actively monitor your flight schedule. If your flight is delayed, your chauffeur guide will adjust their arrival time accordingly, with no extra waiting charges.

Your rate includes your private, air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking chauffeur guide, fuel, highway tolls, and parking fees — so there are no hidden transport costs during your tour. See our Vehicle Fleet & Pricing page for rates by vehicle type.

Yes. All our chauffeur guides are licensed, experienced, and speak English fluently, so they can share local knowledge, recommendations, and destination information throughout your trip. Learn more on our Private Chauffeur Services page.

Yes. Every vehicle is air-conditioned and covered by passenger liability insurance, so you can travel comfortably and with peace of mind.

Yes, complimentary bottled water is provided daily throughout your journey.

Child seats can be arranged on request. Please let us know the age of your child when booking so we can prepare the right seat in advance.

Yes. Every tour package is a starting point — we can adjust the route, pace, and stops to match your interests and travel dates. Browse our current tour packages for inspiration.

Of course. If a stop doesn’t interest you, we’ll remove it and use the extra time elsewhere in your itinerary, or shorten your travel day.

Yes. Let us know which destinations you’d like to include and we’ll rework your itinerary and quote to fit them in. Browse all the places we cover on our Locations page.

Yes, hotel categories can be upgraded on any package, from comfortable 3-star stays through to luxury resorts and boutique properties, subject to availability.

Yes. Many guests combine elements of different packages — for example, a cultural triangle route with a beach extension. Tell us what you’d like and we’ll design a combined itinerary.

We arrange everything from comfortable 3-star hotels to luxury 5-star resorts, boutique heritage properties, and nature or safari lodges — matched to your budget and travel style.

Yes, we work with luxury resorts across the hill country, cultural triangle, and coastal areas for guests looking for a premium stay.

Yes. Boutique heritage hotels are especially popular in Galle, Kandy, and Colombo, and can be included in your itinerary on request.

Yes. We can select family hotels with suitable room configurations, pools, and facilities for travelling with children.

Yes. We can arrange romantic stays including beach resorts, private villas, and boutique honeymoon suites for couples celebrating a special occasion.

Yes. We arrange private jeep safaris in Yala, Udawalawe, and Minneriya, as well as whale watching excursions from Mirissa during the season.

Yes. We can include surf lessons at beaches like Arugam Bay or Weligama, and arrange tickets for the scenic Kandy to Ella hill-country train journey.

Yes. Village tours and traditional Sri Lankan cooking classes can be added to your itinerary for a more authentic, hands-on cultural experience.

Yes. We can arrange guided hikes in the hill country, as well as tickets to traditional Kandyan cultural dance shows.

Yes. Tea factory and plantation tours in the hill country, along with traditional Ayurveda spa treatments, can be added to your itinerary on request.

Yes, a deposit of __% of the total tour cost is required to confirm your booking, with the balance due before arrival / on arrival. Contact our team to start your booking.

We accept bank transfer, credit/debit card, and other methods here. Full payment details are shared once your itinerary is confirmed.

Cancellations made more than __ days before your tour start date are eligible for a full / partial refund. Cancellations closer to the travel date may incur charges — please contact our team for full details based on your booking.

Refund eligibility depends on how far in advance you cancel and which services have already been booked on your behalf (such as hotels). Our team will confirm the exact refund amount for your specific itinerary.

Yes. Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a written confirmation along with an invoice covering your full itinerary and payment schedule.

Yes. Your chauffeur guide can adjust the day’s plan for weather, energy levels, or a change of interest, as long as it’s practical within the day’s timing.

Absolutely. Stop whenever it’s safe and practical — scenic viewpoints, roadside markets, or a spontaneous photo opportunity are all part of the private-tour experience.

Yes. Your chauffeur guide can recommend local restaurants along the route, but you’re always free to choose where you’d like to eat.

Most hotels and many cafes along your route offer Wi-Fi. A local SIM card or portable Wi-Fi device can also be arranged if you’d like to stay connected throughout your journey.

Yes. Your chauffeur guide knows the island well and is happy to suggest local restaurants, viewpoints, and hidden gems beyond the standard itinerary.

We’d love to hear about your trip. After your tour, we’ll send you a link where you can share your experience and leave a review, or you can browse other guests’ experiences on our Testimonials page.

Of course. Many of our guests return for a different route or to explore parts of Sri Lanka they haven’t seen yet — browse our Sri Lanka Travel Guide for ideas, then get in touch whenever you’re ready to plan your next trip.

We’re happy to discuss options for returning guests when you enquire about your next trip — reach out to our team directly for details.

We’d really appreciate that. Word-of-mouth recommendations mean a lot to a locally owned business like ours, so feel free to share your experience with anyone planning a Sri Lanka trip.

Yes. Our team remains available by email if you have follow-up questions, want travel advice for a future trip, or simply want to share your photos with us.