Car hire in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Colombo

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Colombo car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Colombo pick-up location

There are 18 car hire providers in Colombo. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Colombo

Hiring a car in Colombo: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyGreen Motion
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$272
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Colombo

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Colombo car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Colombo

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Colombo and start your adventure for around $273 a day. From solo rides to full-family outings, we'll help you find a rental that suits your trip.

  • Lock in your ride in February and keep your spending in low gear. It's the cheapest month to rent a car in Colombo, with average daily rates of $95.

  • Get the timing right and book around two weeks ahead to score a cheap rental car in Colombo.

  • Find your perfect ride with Sr Rent A Car, Hertz or Green Motion. These are some of the most well-known providers offering car hire deals in Colombo.

  • The coverage Sr Rent A Car or another company offers for your Colombo car hire can differ, so always go over the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.

  • Booking a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for finding a deal. Check 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for rent in Colombo. Providers sometimes have to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can snag some great one-way prices.

  • Skip the sneaky refueling fees by choosing a car hire in Colombo with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.

  • Want to explore more without stressing about how many miles you rack up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra fees.

Compare car hire types in Colombo

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around busy cities or simply planning a quick trip, a cheap rental car in Colombo from this category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to good fuel efficiency and easy handling.

  • Medium: A reliable pick when you want something that's easy to drive but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a little extra leg room compared to smaller options.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the suitcases, the snacks, the lot. Large vehicles have got the space to fit it all without breaking a sweat. Great for longer journeys, this Colombo car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel fix for wanderlust. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and country routes alike.

  • Van: Choose this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Colombo that makes light work of heavy loads. Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to carry more, whether that's equipment, suitcases or big groups.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Adding excess insurance to your Colombo car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so check how each one stacks up.

  • Upgrade your ride with handy extras like a GPS unit and reverse camera. They can make your journey easier and more relaxed when you rent a car in Colombo.

Good to know

  • Age requirements often vary by supplier and even car type, so know the rules before you book. Some companies in Sri Lanka may rent to younger drivers for an extra fee. If you fall outside the typical age bracket, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.

  • If you're travelling with kids, check if you need to add a car seat to your Colombo car hire reservation. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Colombo

  • Line up an epic car hire deal in Colombo and then get ready to discover the city's biggest attractions, like Mt Lavinia Beach and Elephant House. Whether you drive or get there another way, you'll want to check out these highlights before you head out of town.

  • If you're after somewhere to stay in Colombo while touring around, consider The Kingsbury Colombo or Marino Beach Colombo.

  • Moratuwa has to be on your itinerary if you'd like to see Lunawa beach and Angulana Beach. This city is about 18 kilometres south of central Colombo.

  • Thotupola Lakeside Resort and Villa Bolgoda are reliable accommodation options in Moratuwa.

  • Add Negombo to your holiday plans too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Colombo and drive roughly 32 kilometres north to discover hot spots like Negombo Beach and Ettukala Beach.

  • Kick back after a day of exploring Negombo at Regal Réseau Hotel & Spa. Or spend your downtime at Goldi Sands Hotel.

  • Not done driving yet? Galle is another fun destination that's around 105 kilometres south of Colombo. Make a few pit stops at Galle Fort and Galle Dutch Fort.

  • Time to think about catching some z's. Radisson Blu Resort Galle and Le Grand Galle will have a room for you in Galle.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Colombo will set you back around $272 per day or $585 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Colombo is a compact estate (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Colombo are currently NU Car Rentals and Sr Rent A Car.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Colombo is currently February.
On average, around $585. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Colombo is $556.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Colombo for a whole month is $5,089. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Colombo, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Colombo that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Colombo.
Most places – Colombo included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $108 per day. The average price per day is around $272.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Green Motion, Localrent and Sr Rent A Car offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Sixt as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Colombo.