Sri Lanka Destination Guide

Rent a Car in Tissamaharama: Self-Drive or With a Driver

Yala, Bundala and the south-east by car

Rent a car for Tissamaharama: the essentials

You can rent a car for Tissamaharama with H.B.S. Rent a Car from Rs. 12,000 a day. Tissamaharama is the usual base for the Yala safari, and Kataragama is close by. Yala is about 260 km from Colombo airport, a drive of 4.5 to 5 hours via the Southern Expressway. Drive yourself or take an English-speaking driver, and use a one-way rental if you want to leave the car in another city at the end of the trip. The table below shows the lowest rate for each type of car.

Why Rent a Car for Tissamaharama?

✔Safari timing: the morning and afternoon drives in Yala start at set times, and your own car gets you from the hotel to the gate on time.
✔Private cars stay outside: private cars are not allowed inside Yala National Park, so the rental car takes you to the gate and a registered safari jeep takes you into the park.
✔More than one park: Bundala National Park is about 250 km from Colombo airport, Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary about 230 km and the Buduruwagala carvings about 195 km, each on a different road.
✔The next leg of a south coast trip: Mirissa to Tissamaharama is about 2 hours, so the car you collect on the coast carries on to the park.

Car rental rates for Tissamaharama

The lowest daily rate of each type of car, in Sri Lankan rupees. The rate per day falls for rentals of two weeks or a month. Every car and its rate is on the rates page.

Daily car rental rates (LKR), from
Car	Per day	Per day, 2 weeks	Per day, 1 month	Best for
Small car (Honda Fit Shuttle, Suzuki Wagon R, Honda N Box)	Rs. 12,000	Rs. 11,500	Rs. 10,000	Couples, 1-3 bags, city and expressway
7-seat van (Suzuki Every, Mazda Scrum)	Rs. 14,000	Rs. 12,500	Rs. 9,500	Families and groups with luggage
Hybrid sedan (Toyota Prius, Allion)	Rs. 16,500	Rs. 14,500	Rs. 12,000	Long drives, lowest fuel use
Toyota Axio	Rs. 20,000	Rs. 18,500	Rs. 15,000	Comfortable sedan for 3-4 people
Honda Vezel, Toyota C-HR	Rs. 22,000	Rs. 20,000	Rs. 16,000	Higher seating for the hill country
Toyota Hiace KDH van (10 to 14 seats)	Rs. 25,000	Rs. 23,500	Rs. 17,500	Groups of 8 or more
Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar XF	Rs. 30,000	Rs. 28,000	Rs. 24,000	Business and VIP arrivals
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (7 seats)	Rs. 44,500	Rs. 42,500	Rs. 38,500	5 to 7 people, rough or hilly roads

Top Attractions & Highlights in Tissamaharama

Parks and wildlife

Yala National Park
Bundala National Park
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary

Rock carvings and pilgrimage

Buduruwagala Rock Carvings
Kataragama (close by)

Vehicle Recommendations for Tissamaharama

Vehicle Category	Best Suited For	Key Features
SUV (Prado / Fortuner)	The roads near the park	High ground clearance, 4WD
Hybrid sedan (Prius / Allion)	The Southern Expressway	Low fuel use, air-conditioned
Toyota KDH van	Groups of 8 or more	10 to 14 seats

Travel Tips for Driving to Tissamaharama

Book your hotel near the park gate and your registered safari jeep before you travel, and ask the hotel what time you must leave for the morning drive.
Do not plan a flight on the same day as a safari. The drive from Colombo airport to Yala takes 4.5 to 5 hours, and the drive back is about the same.
Foreign visitors need a valid licence from their home country and either an International Driving Permit or a temporary endorsement from the Automobile Association of Ceylon.

Places to visit near Tissamaharama by car

Each guide gives the distance from the airport, the entry fee and what to know before you go.

Yala National Park: private cars are not allowed inside, so you go with a registered safari jeep.
Bundala National Park
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary: visited by boat.
Buduruwagala Rock Carvings

Driving times to Tissamaharama

Approximate times in normal traffic, measured from Colombo airport. From Mirissa, Tissamaharama is about 2 hours.

Driving times to Tissamaharama
From Colombo airport to	Approx. distance	Approx. time
Buduruwagala Rock Carvings	195 km	4.5 to 5 hours
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary	230 km	4 hours
Bundala National Park	250 km	4.5 hours
Yala National Park	260 km	4.5 to 5 hours via the Southern Expressway

Choosing a car

A hybrid sedan is enough for the Southern Expressway. An SUV or a crossover is more comfortable on the roads near the park, and a Toyota KDH van suits a group. See the rate of every car, or read about car rental at Colombo airport if you are landing in Colombo.

Driving around Tissamaharama

Use the Southern Expressway for the long part of the drive. The roads to Tissamaharama and Kataragama are shared with buses, lorries and tuk-tuks.
Near Yala and Bundala, animals can cross the road at dusk. Slow down and keep your distance from elephants.
Leave the car at your hotel or at the gate while you are in the park, and keep valuables out of sight.
Expressway tolls and parking charges are paid by the hirer; see the terms and conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Tissamaharama from Colombo airport?

Yala National Park, which most visitors come for, is about 260 km from Colombo airport. The drive takes 4.5 to 5 hours via the Southern Expressway. Allow about 5-6 hours for the return from Tissamaharama to the airport.

How much does it cost to rent a car for Tissamaharama?

Cars start from Rs. 12,000 a day. The price depends on the car and on how long you keep it, and the rate per day falls for rentals of two weeks or a month. The table on this page lists the lowest rate for each type of car.

Can I rent a car in Colombo and return it in Tissamaharama?

Yes. A one-way rental between Colombo, Tissamaharama and the other main cities can be arranged when you book. Tell us the pick-up and drop-off places.

Can I hire a car with a driver for Tissamaharama?

Yes. An English-speaking driver can take you for a day or for the whole trip. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp at +94 777425008.

Can I drive a rental car into Yala National Park?

No. Private cars are not allowed inside Yala National Park. Drive to Tissamaharama, stay in a hotel near the gate and book a registered safari jeep for the morning or afternoon drive.

How far is Tissamaharama from Mirissa?

About 2 hours by road, so the south coast and the safari fit into one trip with the same car.