Hiring a driver for a cricket tour of Sri Lanka

A cricket tour of Sri Lanka has more travel than most holidays. Fans following a series may need airport transfers, a move from Colombo to Kandy for Pallekele, a drive from Kandy to Galle for the Tests, and day trips to Sigiriya, Yala or Mirissa on rest days. Public transport covers some of this, but with luggage, tight timings and late finishes, a private driver is much easier.

A driver also solves match-day problems: dropping you near the gate, waiting during a rain delay, and meeting you at an agreed point after a night game, when tuk-tuks are scarce and roads are jammed.

For fans staying in Galle Fort for a single Test, a driver is less necessary; for anyone following a series across venues, it is the simplest choice.

There are two kinds of driver in Sri Lanka. A driver simply drives, while a chauffeur-guide, licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, can also guide at sites such as Sigiriya, Kandy and Polonnaruwa. Both usually speak good English.

For a cricket tour, a chauffeur-guide is useful on rest days and for the Cultural Triangle, while a driver is enough for transfers and match days. Some fans hire a chauffeur-guide for the whole trip, and add local site guides at the bigger monuments.

Lankan Stays & Trails provides licensed chauffeur-guides who know the grounds, the drop-off points and the match-day traffic.

The right vehicle depends on the group. A car suits two or three people with luggage. A minivan suits four to six, and a larger van suits groups of up to about twelve, with room for cricket bags and luggage. Air-conditioning is standard.

For long tours, comfort matters: choose a vehicle with good seats and enough luggage space, because some drives, such as Kandy to Galle or Ella to Colombo, take five hours or more.

On match days, agree the drop-off point and the pickup point and time with your driver the evening before. Drivers know the roads near each ground and which approaches are least crowded. For Tests, many fans walk or take tuk-tuks in Galle, and use the driver only for day trips.

After a day-night game, the driver waits at the agreed point, usually a short walk from the gate, so you avoid the queues for tuk-tuks. Keep the driver's number saved, and message when you leave your seat.

The cost of a private driver depends on the vehicle, the number of days and the distance covered. Long venue moves and multi-day trips cost more than a few transfers. Prices change, so ask for a clear quote that includes fuel, tolls on the expressways, the driver's food and accommodation, and parking.

Tipping is customary. For a multi-day trip, a daily tip given at the end is usual, adjusted for the quality of the service.

Hotels across Sri Lanka usually provide driver accommodation, sometimes for a small fee, so your driver stays at or near your hotel. Check this when booking boutique hotels and villas, which may not have driver rooms.

Give your driver regular rest: avoid asking for very early starts after late finishes, and plan venue moves for the morning after a game.