As of spring 2016, depending on whether you find a private driver on the street or book a transfer in advance online, a personal transfer, for example, to Bentota, ranges from $40 to $60 per car. To Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna – from $70 to $90, to Weligama and Mirissa – $80-100. The farther, the more expensive.
The reason is quite simple: car prices in Sri Lanka are excessively high due to taxes. For middle-class cars, for example, it is 300% of the cost. Therefore, even a very simple minivan, 15-20 years old, costs about $50,000, and new minivans exceed $100,000.
There is only one alternative: public transport, which, alas, is not very comfortable. A regular bus only runs on the highway from the suburbs of Colombo and further south, but you have to get to it by changing vehicles. Since the bus travels on a toll road, it does not leave the highway at intermediate towns, and goes either to Galle or to Matara. And then – again either by bus or tuk-tuk. There is also a train option, but it does not run often, and again – you have to get to and from the station by changing vehicles. The train line only exists from Colombo to Matara; if you need to go further, you have to transfer again to tuk-tuks and buses.
Thanks to social networks and travel forums, especially active tourists try to find travel companions to save money and take a car collectively. This is perhaps the most labor-intensive method, but the result is worth it. And it is called Car/Taxi Share. If you manage to find travel companions and agree, then there is a chance that everything will be fine.
This very idea underlies the group transfer service in Sri Lanka, recently offered by the travel company "Moya Lanka". The company itself is quite well-known; the entire team has been living and working in Sri Lanka since 2009, which allows them to quickly respond to market conditions.
Anyone who wishes can absolutely free of charge add the required transfer time from point A to point B. The system automatically checks all previously added requests, taking into account travel time and cities along the way, gathers the group and notifies all participants at what time the transfer will pick them up. After all participants confirm their desire to participate in the transfer, an automatic invoice for the ticket purchase is issued.
The transfer prices are really pleasing. To Bentota – only $12, to Unawatuna $15, and to Weligama $18. For comparison, a trip by changing vehicles, tuk-tuks and buses will not be much cheaper. It is important to understand that the earlier you submit your request, the greater the chance of finding travel companions.
Have a great vacation, and remember that "Moya Lanka" is a great vacation in Sri Lanka!
PR