It is generally easier to get around Sri Lanka than first-time visitors anticipate. There’s no need to hire a private driver for each trip, and it is by no means necessary to spend your holiday bargaining with tuk-tuk drivers every time you want to go somewhere. Tuk-tuk drivers on the street tend to charge too much; even though I am a local, I make it a point to use ride-hailing apps in Sri Lanka whenever I can.
These ride-hailing apps have now become a regular part of transportation in Sri Lanka. They work well in Colombo and other urban areas, as you can order a tuk-tuk or car from your smartphone, get an estimate of your fare, and track your driver.
The ride-hailing app most helpful for tourists in Sri Lanka is PickMe, while Uber comes in second. You can also use local taxi providers like Kangaroo Cabs and YOGO (though YOGO isn’t very popular).
Here is what you need to know before using ride-hailing apps in Sri Lanka.
Which Ride-Hailing App Is Best in Sri Lanka?
If you’re only going to download one app, I would suggest downloading PickMe.
PickMe is a Ride-Hailing App in Sri Lanka that offers tuk-tuks, cars, vans, and other transport options based on your location. It’s especially helpful if you are travelling in Colombo and other populated areas.
It’s also good to have Uber as an alternative. It is accessible in Colombo and other places in Sri Lanka such as Negombo and Kandy.
PickMe: The Best Overall App for Tourists
When asking locals about the best ride-hailing app to use in Sri Lanka, chances are high that PickMe will be one of the names they give. PickMe is a Sri Lankan app with a wide range of local drivers. PickMe offers ride services including tuk-tuks, cars, minivans, and vans, depending on where you are.
Why Tourists Like PickMe?
The app is especially helpful if you are not familiar with local prices. It saves you from a rather unpleasant process of bargaining with drivers over prices.
Let’s say that you’ve just arrived at your hotel in Colombo and would like to go to Galle Face Green. You can walk out into the street and ask a tuk-tuk driver for the cost of the journey. Alternatively, you can launch PickMe, enter your destination, and see an approximate cost before booking. Many street tuk-tuk drivers will say a higher price, seeing you are a foreigner. Even as a local, I recently paid double the price in Kandy as it was a busy day and no PickMe drivers were available.
Another benefit of using PickMe is access to different types of vehicles. A single traveller who has a small bag will most likely feel comfortable in a tuk-tuk. A whole family with lots of luggage will feel more comfortable in a car or a van.
Can You Use PickMe Outside Colombo?
Yes, but you need to set your expectations correctly. PickMe isn’t limited to Colombo; you can use it in many other parts of Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, driver availability varies widely. In Colombo, you can usually find a few drivers nearby at any time of day. But you may have to wait a long time in smaller towns.
This is especially true if you are staying in a rural area. And sometimes you’ll have to walk a couple of blocks to get into the tuk-tuk, as the Pickme drivers are scared of the normal tuk-tuk drivers in some rural areas. Keep that in mind; the tuk-tuk price mafia is still present in some areas of the country.
Uber: A Good Backup
If you already use Uber/Grab in your home country, you will feel comfortable using the app in Sri Lanka. The biggest benefit of Uber for tourists is having an alternative if there is no suitable driver on PickMe. It can also be an opportunity to compare prices. You just need to check the same route on both applications and choose the best variant.
Kangaroo Cabs: Useful for Airport Transfers
Kangaroo Cabs has been providing taxi rides for quite a while now in Sri Lanka and could come in handy when you are looking for a little bit more organisation than an instant ride.
Kangaroo provides bookings for cars, sedans, minibuses, and vans to suit your requirements. They provide airport transfer services, among others. This could be an ideal choice if you are travelling with your family, with heavy baggage, or simply prefer to have everything sorted out before landing at the airport. For a short trip within Colombo, I would still prefer PickMe or Uber, but for my airport pick-up, I would prefer a Kangaroo Cab. You can book the airport transfers on their website.
How to Use Ride-Hailing Apps in Sri Lanka
Download the Apps in Advance; do this before you arrive. You surely don’t want to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport exhausted from a long flight and find out you have to download an app, verify your phone number, and choose a payment method.
Buy a Local SIM Card or an eSIM Card.
To use ride-hailing services, you will need a stable connection. Although airport Wi-Fi can help you, it’s better to have your own connection as soon as you step out of the terminal building. A local SIM card or travel eSIM lets you call a ride, contact the driver, and check the map without Wi-Fi.
Double-Check Your Pickup Location
This is especially important when using services at airports, shopping centres, or hotels. Double-check the map before calling the ride, and make sure the pin shows where you are standing. Sri Lanka roads are rather busy, and your driver may not be able to stop right outside some doors.
Make Sure of the Registration Number
When your driver arrives, don’t just check whether the car matches the image in the app. Check the registration number, vehicle, and driver information against your booking.
Can Tourists Make Payment Using Cards?
PickMe offers cash and online payment methods, and some taxi providers, such as Kangaroo Cabs, also accept cards and other payment methods.
Even though it is easy to pay with a credit card, I suggest you keep some money in Sri Lankan rupees. Drivers may call you requesting cash or card payments and cancel when you say card.
It’s simple to keep a little money on hand, just in case.
Are Ride-Hailing Applications Safe in Sri Lanka?
These apps offer several useful safety features because they let you see the driver’s details and track your journey.
For instance, PickMe offers features such as live trip sharing and an SOS button. Uber also offers safety features.
When travelling alone, particularly in the evenings, you may share your trip with a family member or friend. Uber has an option to record audio at night; it automatically records the audio from your trip. You don’t have access to it, but in an emergency, they can access the audio.
What If Your Driver Asks You to Cancel the Booking?
Occasionally, the driver might ask you to cancel the booking from the app and pay directly.
As a tourist, I will always be very careful when this happens. The moment you cancel the booking, the records and the tracking system that come with it will go out of the window. If the pricing seems off or the driver changes the arrangements initially agreed upon, it is advisable to cancel through the app and book another vehicle.
Should You Use PickMe or Uber for Long-Distance Travel?
This is one area where you should not rely on the apps. A ride from your hotel in Colombo to a nearby restaurant is one thing. A ride of about 150 kilometres to another part of the country is an entirely different ballgame. PickMe has started doing long-distance trips, but to limited destinations.
In some cases, the driver might agree to make the long-distance booking. Still, you may face availability issues, cancellations, or even an inability to find another vehicle for the return ride.
Are Tuk-Tuks Safe for Tourists?
Tuk-tuks are among the most convenient ways to get around Sri Lankan urban areas.
Tuk-tuks are cheap, readily available, and easier to navigate through traffic and narrow streets compared to cars. A couple with small luggage will find a tuk-tuk ideal for a short ride. When travelling with big luggage or kids, it makes more sense to book a car. Booking through an app will give you a reference for how much the ride should cost.
Otherwise, when booking a tuk-tuk on the spot, make sure to discuss the price before you start.
Final Verdict
For tourists, the best ride-hailing app in Sri Lanka is PickMe. This localised app offers different types of transportation and is perfect for daily trips around the country. The best alternative is Uber, especially when you stay in Colombo and other locations where Uber is available. It is unnecessary to download all of the transport applications out there. Most likely, PickMe and Uber will meet most of your needs for daily rides during your holiday.
The best strategy is to use apps where they work properly, keep money in your pocket, and arrange local or private transportation when exploring remote destinations.
Then you can enjoy ride-hailing services without being too dependent on your mobile phone.