After securing flights and hotel accommodation for Sri Lanka, many travellers then face the dilemma of whether to hire a local guide.
LilyGiven that this is a country dotted with World Heritage sites and Buddhist ruins, the desire to tour them with proper explanations only grows stronger.
On the other hand, we often hear that tours with English-speaking guides are expensive, leaving people torn over whether they fit within their budget.
This article covers the benefits and costs of hiring a local guide in Sri Lanka, the country’s unique ‘chauffeur-guide’ system, and LankaMe’s Platinum Plan offering taxi charters with tourism qualifications.
DilshanI shall outline step by step how to access English-speaking guides at the most reasonable cost.
What role do local guides play in Sri Lanka?
When visiting a country for the first time, it’s natural to feel uneasy about even minor travel or sightseeing, not only due to unfamiliarity with the terrain but also because of differences in language and culture. Sri Lanka is no exception.
There are many attractions such as ruins, temples and national parks, but if you attempt to visit them independently using public transport, it can be difficult to predict travel times, and you may find yourself confused by signs in Sinhala.
LilyIn that respect, having a local guide allows you to explore while understanding the history and cultural background of the attractions, and you can also leave ticket purchases and admission procedures to them.
During travel, itinerary adjustments can be discussed, allowing for flexible rescheduling based on the day’s weather or physical condition. Should any issues arise, they may handle communications with hotels or shops on your behalf, providing considerable peace of mind.
DilshanOn the other hand, when considering whether to hire a guide, the cost inevitably becomes a concern. Let us examine the specific figures to see what additional expense would be incurred by using an English-speaking guide.
How much more does it cost to have an English-speaking guide with a major travel agency?
To give you a clearer picture, please see GoWithGuide’s 14-day guided charter plan. At $750 per person, the cost for two participants would be $1500.
LilyAdding a guide really sends the price skyrocketing, doesn’t it!
DilshanAs I shall explain shortly, our LankaMe Platinum Plan allows us to arrange drivers with tourist licences, enabling us to significantly reduce costs!
Below, we outline a way to enjoy Sri Lanka at a low cost and on a deeper level than hiring individual guides.
What exactly is the qualification for a ‘chauffeur guide’, unique to Sri Lanka?
Reading this far, the dilemma emerges: “To truly understand Sri Lanka, you need a guide, but hiring an English-speaking guide is costly.” This is where the “chauffeur-guide” system, unique to Sri Lanka, comes into play as an alternative.
A chauffeur guide, in a nutshell, is a ‘tour guide who can also drive’. A standard tour driver is a professional driver well-versed in road conditions, whose primary job is to safely transport passengers to hotels, airports, and the entrances of tourist attractions.
In contrast, a chauffeur guide is a higher-level qualification, having passed the examinations and training set by the government for tourist guides, and is officially authorised to accompany visitors within ruins and temples to provide commentary.
Drivers holding this qualification will not only drive you to your destination by car, but will also accompany you around the tourist site, explaining the points of interest, history, and religious background.
They can handle everything independently, including ticket purchases, recommendations for local restaurants, and schedule adjustments, meaning there is no need to hire a separate guide. In other words, for the cost of one driver’s labour, both the ‘driver’ and ‘guide’ roles are covered.
LilyWhen tabulated, the differences from a standard driver can be summarised as follows
| Item | General tourist driver | Chauffeur Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Safe Driving and Transport Services | In addition to driving, providing guidance and commentary at tourist attractions |
| Accompanying visitors inside tourist attractions | As a rule, up to the entrance | Accompany visitors inside, guiding them along the viewing route and pointing out the highlights |
| Tourism Knowledge and Conversation | Often limited to a simple explanation | Explanations based on systematic knowledge are possible |
| Required qualifications | Tourist Driver Licence, etc. | Government-accredited chauffeur guide licence |
Chauffeur guides are in limited supply. Therefore, to secure one for your desired dates, it is important to book well in advance, paying a certain additional fee.
Explanation of LankaMe’s Platinum Plan
Within Sri Lanka, our company LankaMe is a local charter company that can arrange chauffeur-guides.
Lanca-Mei provides comprehensive private car transfers, covering airport pick-ups, day trips, and multi-day tours. We offer pre-trip consultations in English, allowing you to discuss your itinerary via email or messaging to create a tailored plan that meets your requirements.
DilshanEven with the standard charter plan, safe driving and courteous service are highly regarded. However, for those prioritising sightseeing guidance in the UK, the Platinum Plan is worth considering.
The Platinum Plan requires that your assigned driver holds relevant tourism qualifications, such as a Chauffeur Guide Licence. They will accompany you inside historical sites and temples, providing expert commentary.
In terms of cost, it is priced at approximately USD 10 per day more than the standard charter plan, allowing you to utilise this service. This offers a completely different experience to ‘hiring an English-speaking guide separately’, providing you with a proper guided tour conducted in English.
Comparing the cost estimates of LankaMe and major travel agencies
Based on the information provided thus far, we shall compare the major travel agencies’ offerings with LankaMe’s Platinum Plan, assuming a four-day private car charter.
While the figures are merely indicative, they should give a clear picture of the overall trend.
| 14-day plan | Content | Price Guide (per vehicle) |
|---|---|---|
| Major travel agency English-speaking guide tours | Private vehicle + English-speaking guide | $1500 |
| LankaMe Platinum Plan | Private vehicle + chauffeur-guide (English-speaking) | $1050 €870 £740 |
When compared to the English-speaking guide plans offered by major travel agencies, it is clear that LankaMe’s Platinum Plan is considerably more economical in terms of the total cost.
Particularly when used by multiple people, the cost per person becomes even smaller, and many will feel that “for this price, having a guide is perfectly acceptable”.
Summary: Guided private tours also become a realistic option.
Whether to hire a local guide in Sri Lanka ultimately comes down to balancing peace of mind with cost. Booking a private car tour with an English-speaking guide through a major travel agency often costs around ¥150,000 for a few days, making it by no means a cheap option.
However, by making good use of Sri Lanka’s unique chauffeur-guide system, one can combine the roles of driver and guide into a single person. This allows for high-quality guidance while keeping costs down.
Lanca-Me’s Platinum Plan, which provides taxi charters with tourist guide qualifications, is precisely the service that embodies that concept.
For just around $10 per day on top of the standard charter plan, an English-speaking chauffeur guide will accompany you in the vehicle, providing comprehensive support from transfers to sightseeing. Consequently, this makes it easier to achieve a highly satisfying and reassuring trip at a considerably lower cost than tours with English-speaking guides offered by major travel agencies.
Those who consider a local guide a luxury option may well change their minds once they understand the system and available choices. If you wish to fully experience Sri Lanka’s attractions within a limited timeframe, a chauffeur-guide charter is certainly an option worth considering.
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