Sri Lanka is best explored on a private tour! Build your own trip with private charter car!

Are you planning a trip to Sri Lanka and struggling to choose a tour?

Whether to book a package tour or arrange an independent trip yourself is quite a dilemma, isn’t it? Especially for those visiting Sri Lanka for the first time, it’s all the more confusing.。

We shall explain the reasons in detail, comparing them with the disadvantages of package tours.

Three Disadvantages of Package Tours

First, what are the drawbacks of package tours offered by major travel agencies and the like?

While package tours certainly have the advantage of being standardised and therefore cheaper, they have the following three disadvantages.

low degree of freedom

The tour schedule and destinations are fixed in advance, and it is not possible to tailor the itinerary to your personal preferences.

Fundamentally, as it is group travel, the reality is that there is no flexibility to change destinations mid-trip or extend the itinerary.

Even if you make the effort to travel all the way to Sri Lanka, you may well be left with a lingering sense of regret, thinking, “I really wanted to see that other ruin too…”

I want to see Sigiriya Rock! I want to ride the tea factory! I want to ride the Heritance Kandalama!

The fact that such aspirations cannot necessarily be fulfilled within a limited timeframe is also a significant drawback.

The food isn’t very tasty.

Package tours often include group meals, but one frequently hears the complaint that “tour meals aren’t very tasty”.

It often results in a safe, standardised menu provided uniformly to large groups, meaning you may not get to experience the truly delicious local cuisine.

Moreover, not being able to eat what you fancy whenever you fancy it is likely to feel stressful. When travelling, you want to enjoy your favourite dishes at your own pace, don’t you?

Unable to choose the quality of the hotel

The package also specifies the accommodation, meaning you cannot choose your preferred lodgings or a luxury hotel you’ve always fancied. It is not uncommon for the hotel standard to be disappointing, as tour operators often cut costs in this area.

Indeed, some point out that “hotels used on tours often have inconvenient suburban locations, as the nature of the product necessitates keeping costs down.” It’s a shame that travellers cannot control their own hotel selection, which significantly impacts their overall satisfaction.

As outlined above, the current reality is that standardised package tours struggle to meet the demand for ‘personalised travel’. The lack of flexibility is a significant drawback, leading to dissatisfaction such as ‘being unable to include desired destinations’ and ‘inflexibility regarding meals and schedules’.

The unique benefits of private tours

So, can these drawbacks be overcome by arranging your own travel?

Destination and schedule as you wish

You can tailor your itinerary to suit your preferences regarding the destinations you wish to visit and the length of your stay.

For instance, you could visit beach resorts after touring World Heritage sites, or opt to ‘skip Colombo and linger longer in the provinces’ – planning is entirely flexible.

If your itinerary allows, you can alter your plans on the spot, and this flexibility is arguably the greatest advantage of travelling independently.

Enjoy your favourite dishes whenever you like

If you are travelling independently rather than on a group tour, you can decide the content and timing of your meals yourself.

You can try popular local restaurants and street stalls, or opt for light snacks depending on your appetite – the way you enjoy food is entirely up to you. There’s no need to worry about being served dishes you don’t like on the tour.

Sri Lanka has many delicious things, including tea and curry, so please enjoy them at your own pace.

Stay at your dream hotel

When arranging your own trip, you can choose your hotel yourself. While considering your budget, why not give it a go with a well-regarded, comfortable hotel or that luxury resort you’ve always fancied trying?

For instance, unique lodgings unavailable through package tours—such as the resort hotel Heritance Kandalama, designed by architect Geoffrey Bawa—can be incorporated into independent travel itineraries. Tailoring your accommodation to your personal preferences should further enhance your travel satisfaction.

In this way, with a bespoke private tour, you hold the reins of your journey.

By reflecting your preferences in everything from the itinerary and dining to the hotels, you can realise your very own special Sri Lankan adventure.

So why is private travel particularly recommended in a country like Sri Lanka? Let us explore the reasons.

Sri Lanka travel: comfort and peace of mind with a private car charter

In Sri Lanka, the public transport infrastructure is not as well developed as in Japan, and the choice of transport significantly affects the comfort of your journey.

Rail and bus services operate between major cities, but the route network is limited and delays are commonplace.

Relying solely on trains and buses is not a practical option, particularly when wishing to efficiently visit tourist spots within a short timeframe.。

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In Sri Lanka, many locations are difficult to reach by train or bus, whereas a private vehicle (chartered taxi) provides smooth door-to-door access.

For instance, the ancient fortress of Sigiriya Rock, a World Heritage Site, and the aforementioned luxury hotel, Heritance Kandalama, have no railway stations nearby and are also difficult to access by public bus.

When visiting these locations for sightseeing, hiring a private taxi is a practical option. A dedicated vehicle allows you to travel directly from your hotel entrance to your destination’s entrance without transfers, saving both time and energy.

Moreover, Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, making it extremely hot during the day. Travelling for long periods on buses without air conditioning, or waiting for buses or trains under the blazing sun while carrying luggage, can be quite trying, can’t it?

Moreover, chartered vehicles offer peace of mind in terms of safety.

Those apprehensive about driving in unfamiliar territory can entrust their journey to drivers well-versed in local conditions, thereby avoiding potential issues.

Risks such as pickpocketing or theft, which are concerns when using public transport, are mitigated when travelling by private vehicle, offering reassurance regarding luggage management.

To make the most of your limited travel time and explore safely and efficiently, chartering a taxi is arguably the best option.

You can even make spontaneous stops to sample local street food found at stalls. As your driver is also a local expert, they can often point you towards delicious eateries and scenic spots.

Experiencing the unwritten, off-the-beaten-track highlights is precisely the essence of a tailor-made journey.

The Tea Train offers the best of both worlds! Tailor your journey to perfection

Sri Lanka is also renowned for its highland railway running through tea-growing regions (commonly known as the ‘Tea Train’), which is immensely popular.

A train journey through the majestic tea plantations is an experience unique to this country, yet travelling the entire route takes over half a day and consumes considerable time.

Therefore, we recommend a combined rail and chartered car package.

For example, it is possible to arrange your journey so that you only take the train on the particularly scenic section of the Highland Railway between Gampola and Nanuoya (Nuwara Eliya), travelling by car before and after that section.

By entrusting a reliable local taxi charter company, you can rest assured they will handle station transfers and ticket arrangements. Leave bulky luggage in the car to enjoy the scenic train journey unencumbered, then find your driver waiting at your destination—such comfortable travel is truly the hallmark of bespoke arrangements.

Even if it’s your first time, you can feel at ease with English support

When travelling abroad for the first time, it’s natural to feel anxious about whether you’ll be able to communicate properly locally. Rest assured on that front too.

Our Sri Lanka Taxi Charter Service provides a comprehensive support system for European travellers.

You may enquire in English, and we can assist with everything from itinerary consultations to itinerary planning. We will support you in creating your itinerary, incorporating the perspective of professionals who have visited Sri Lanka multiple times.

Naturally, you may use a dedicated vehicle throughout your journey, from airport transfers to the very end of your trip, so you won’t have to struggle with large luggage whilst travelling.

Simply tell us in English where you wish to go and what you wish to do, and we shall guide you efficiently along the optimal route. As a means of “buying time and peace of mind”, we strongly encourage you to make use of a chartered vehicle.

Summary

Sri Lanka is a country where attractions are scattered throughout, making it perfectly suited to bespoke travel. Experience a journey tailored just for you in Sri Lanka – something you simply cannot achieve with rigid, pre-packaged tours.

We hope you will make the most of our specialised charter service to create unforgettable travel memories that are uniquely yours. Let us take care of the preparations and travel arrangements, so you can fully savour the delights of Sri Lanka!