Car rental in Kandy: the Sacred Tooth Relic and the hill country gateway
Car rental in Kandy starts at $25 per day with 58 cars, all delivered to your hotel, no credit card required, and full insurance available on 32 cars. Kandy is Sri Lanka’s last royal capital and home of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It is also the launch point for the entire hill country road trip circuit.
All 58 cars are automatic. The temple is walkable, but a car opens Peradeniya (15 minutes), the three 14th century rock temples (20 minutes), the Knuckles Mountain Range (45 minutes), Nuwara Eliya (2.5 hours) and Adam’s Peak (2.5 hours). Ten cars are new. City delivery means the car comes to your Kandy guesthouse.
During Esala Perahera (July and August) city centre hotels charge 3 to 5 times normal rates and book out months in advance. Staying outside the centre and driving in each evening is the smart strategy. Car rental Kandy Perahera makes that possible.
Check availability and bookWhat’s included on every Kandy car
No deposit options
Low deposit
No credit card required
City delivery
Full insurance available
Unlimited mileage
58 cars availableWhy rent a car in Kandy? Because the hill country opens here
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is walkable from the city centre. The car opens everything else: Peradeniya Botanical Gardens 15 minutes west, the three rock temples 20 minutes south, the Knuckles Mountain Range 45 minutes east, Nuwara Eliya 2.5 hours south, Adam’s Peak 2.5 hours southwest. Kandy is the natural start for Sri Lanka’s hill country road trip.
Car rental Kandy is 58 cars, all automatic, all with city delivery and no credit card required. Full insurance is available on 32 cars. Ten cars are new. During Esala Perahera, staying in Peradeniya (8km west), Kundasale (5km east) or Katugastota (5km north) at normal rates and driving in each evening saves 3 to 5 times the hotel cost. Car hire Kandy Sri Lanka makes that strategy work.
Sri Dalada Maligawa: Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist site
Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, houses the left canine tooth of the Gautama Buddha, enshrined in a series of seven nested caskets of diminishing size. The innermost casket is gold and studded with gems. Only the outer casket is ever displayed publicly.
Three daily puja ceremonies take place at 5:30am, 9:30am and 6:30pm. During each puja the casket chamber opens and a white cloth screen is drawn back momentarily. Entry is 2,000 LKR for foreign visitors. No shorts or bare shoulders. Sarong wraps are provided at the gate. Within the same lakeside complex sit the last royal palace of Kandy (now the National Museum), the Audience Hall and the Natha Devale, the oldest intact building in Kandy, dating from the 14th century. A rental car parks in the main car park directly opposite the temple. Arrive before 8am in peak season to guarantee a space. Car rental Kandy Tooth Temple is a 5 minute drive from most city hotels.
The Esala Perahera: Asia’s greatest Buddhist procession
The Kandy Esala Perahera runs for 10 consecutive nights, culminating at the full moon of Esala in July or August. Dates follow the Sinhalese lunar calendar. What you see: Kandyan dancers, fire dancers with blazing torches, whip crackers (the cracking sound signifies the arrival of a deity), tom tom drummers, flag bearers and a line of caparisoned elephants. The grandest elephant carries the sacred golden casket on its back.
Kandy city centre hotels charge 3 to 5 times normal rates during Perahera and book out months in advance. Staying in Peradeniya (8km west), Kundasale (5km east) or Katugastota (5km north) at normal rates and driving in each evening is the smart strategy. City delivery means the car is at your guesthouse. Car rental Kandy Esala Perahera makes this possible.
Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke: three 14th century temples by rental car
Within 22km south of Kandy city centre sit three 14th century Kandyan temples that are rarely visited together because they require a car or tuk tuk. No public transport connects all three conveniently. A rental car from Kandy covers all three in a single morning circuit.
Peradeniya Gardens and the hill country road trip: Kandy is where it starts
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens is 8km west of Kandy city centre, about 15 minutes by rental car on the A1. It is Sri Lanka’s finest botanical garden: 147 acres, more than 4,000 labelled species, the giant Java fig tree (planted 1886, canopy spanning over 40 metres), the Royal Palm Avenue, the Orchid House and the Mahaweli River bending dramatically around the south boundary. Open 7:30am to 5:30pm. Entry is 3,000 LKR.
Kandy is the natural start for Sri Lanka’s hill country road trip, the circuit no bus or train can replicate in flexibility. Nuwara Eliya is 75km south, 2.5 hours, with Victoria Park, Gregory Lake and tea estates. Ella is 140km south, 4 hours, with Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak. Haputale is 130km south, 3.5 hours, with Lipton’s Seat viewpoint. Hatton is 80km south, 2.5 hours, for the Adam’s Peak midnight climb. Car hire Kandy hill country is the practical way to link all four. See the Ella, Haputale and Hatton pages for detail on each.
The Kadugannawa Pass and Bahirawakanda Buddha: two car only experiences
The Kadugannawa Pass on the A1 from Colombo descends into Kandy valley through a series of dramatic hairpin bends. It is one of the most scenic sections of highway in Sri Lanka. Use low gear on the descent, especially with passengers or luggage. Allow 3 to 4 hours from Colombo total.
Bahirawakanda Buddha is a giant white Buddha statue above Kandy Lake, 3km from the temple. It is accessible by a narrow road from near the clock tower. The sunrise view over the entire Kandy valley from the Buddha’s base is one of the finest in the Central Province. You can only get there by car at 5:30 to 6am. Car rental Kandy Kadugannawa Pass and Bahirawakanda sunrise are both car only experiences.
The perfect Kandy day by rental car
This day is only practical with a rental car based in Kandy. No arranged tour combines sunrise, the botanical gardens, the temple and the rock temples circuit this efficiently.
If you are visiting in July or August, the evening Esala Perahera procession is the reason to be in Kandy. Park at Kandy City Centre Mall before 6:30pm and walk to the route. Total driving for the day is approximately 1.5 hours. Car rental Kandy hill country and culture is the most rewarding single day in the Central Province.
Where to go from Kandy by rental car
No other Sri Lanka city sits at the junction of the Cultural Triangle, the hill country circuit and Adam’s Peak simultaneously. From a rental car picked up at your Kandy hotel, Asia’s greatest Buddhist procession is 10 minutes, the world’s finest botanical garden 15, and the island’s highest summit 2.5 hours. All with city delivery and no credit card required.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahirawakanda Buddha | 3km | 8 min | Sunrise valley viewpoint, narrow road, car only |
| Peradeniya Botanical Gardens | 8km | 15 min | 147 acres, giant Java fig, orchid house |
| Embekke Devale | 16km | 22 min | Finest medieval wood carvings in Sri Lanka |
| Gadaladeniya Temple | 15km | 20 min | 14th century hilltop temple, South Indian architecture |
| Lankatilaka Temple | 15km | 20 min | Cliff face image house, 1344 AD, 9m Buddha |
| Knuckles Mountain Range | 30km | 45 min | UNESCO cloud forest, 34 endemic plant species |
| Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage | 40km | 1hr | World’s largest captive elephant herd |
| Hatton / Adam’s Peak | 80km | 2.5hr | Sacred pilgrimage mountain, midnight drive to Dalhousie |
| Nuwara Eliya | 75km | 2.5hr | Little England colonial hill station |
| Sigiriya Lion Rock | 88km | 2.5hr | UNESCO fortress, Cultural Triangle |
| Dambulla Cave Temples | 72km | 2hr | UNESCO, 153 statues, 2,100 year sanctuary |
| Ella | 140km | 4hr | Nine Arch Bridge, hill country |
| Colombo | 115km | 3 to 4hr | Capital, via Kadugannawa Pass A1 |
No other Sri Lanka city sits at the junction of the Cultural Triangle, the hill country circuit and Adam’s Peak simultaneously. From a rental car picked up at your Kandy hotel, Asia’s greatest Buddhist procession is 10 minutes, the world’s finest botanical garden 15, and the island’s highest summit 2.5 hours. All with city delivery and no credit card required.
Self drive or with driver from Kandy?
Self drive works well for Peradeniya, the rock temples circuit and the Knuckles day trip. The roads are good and navigation is manageable. All 58 cars are automatic. An IDP is recommended.
With driver adds value for Colombo transfers via the Kadugannawa Pass in heavy rain or at night, for Esala Perahera evenings when parking and road closures are complex, and for the Sigiriya and Cultural Triangle circuit where guide commentary adds genuine value. Filter with driver on Rentrals. Car rental Kandy with driver is available on request. City delivery is standard on every car.
Car rental prices in Kandy, what to expect
58 cars, all city delivery, all no credit card. Full insurance available on 32 cars. 10 new cars. Prices depend on the car selected and the season, and they update daily. Book ahead for Esala Perahera season in July and August.
All cars in Kandy include city delivery and require no credit card. Full insurance is available on 32 cars. Ten cars are new. Book well ahead for July and August Esala Perahera season: Kandy is Sri Lanka’s most in demand rental destination during this period and supply tightens significantly 2 to 3 weeks before the festival. The Suzuki Wagon R at $25 per day is the cheapest confirmed option. Cheap car rental Kandy Sri Lanka starts here.
Driving in Kandy: the Kadugannawa Pass, city parking and Perahera nights
Sri Lanka drives on the left. All 58 Kandy cars are automatic. An IDP (International Driving Permit) is strongly recommended. Arriving from Colombo on the A1 involves the Kadugannawa Pass, where you should use low gear on the descent. The gradient is steep and the bends are tight, especially in rain. Allow 3 to 4 hours from Colombo to Kandy.
What you need to rent a car in Kandy
Car rental in Kandy, frequently asked questions
Stay outside the city centre. Kandy hotels charge 3 to 5 times normal rates during Perahera and book out months in advance. Stay in Peradeniya (8km west), Kundasale (5km east) or Katugastota (5km north) at normal rates and drive in each evening. City delivery means the car comes to your guesthouse. Park at Kandy City Centre Mall, 200m from the lake, or the main paid car park opposite the temple and walk to the procession route. The area around the Temple of the Tooth closes to vehicles approximately 6:30 to 10:30pm on procession nights.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens is 8km west of Kandy city centre, about 15 minutes by rental car on the A1. It covers 147 acres with more than 4,000 labelled species. The giant Java fig tree was planted in 1886 and its canopy spans over 40 metres. The Royal Palm Avenue and Orchid House are the other highlights. Open 7:30am to 5:30pm. Entry is 3,000 LKR. A rental car parks at the main gate and city delivery makes the early start easy.
Yes. All three 14th century temples are within 22km south of Kandy city centre and can be visited in a single morning circuit. Gadaladeniya is 15km south, 20 minutes, a hilltop temple with South Indian architectural influence. Lankatilaka is 15km south, 20 minutes, built into a cliff face with a 9 metre Buddha image and fine Kandyan murals. Embekke Devale is 16km south, 22 minutes, famous for its carved wooden pillars. No public transport connects all three conveniently. A rental car from Kandy is the practical way to see them in one morning.
The Kadugannawa Pass on the A1 from Colombo descends into Kandy valley through a series of hairpin bends. It is one of the most scenic sections of highway in Sri Lanka. Use low gear on the descent, especially with passengers or luggage. The gradient is steep and the bends are tight, particularly in rain. Allow 3 to 4 hours from Colombo to Kandy. All cars in the Kandy fleet are automatic, which makes the descent easier. An IDP is recommended.
Yes. All 58 cars include city delivery to your hotel or guesthouse in Kandy. You do not need to pick up the car from an airport or depot. Give your accommodation address at booking and the car comes to you. This is especially useful for Perahera season when city centre parking is difficult. City delivery car rental Kandy is standard on every car. It also makes early starts to Peradeniya or the rock temples circuit easy.
Ella is 140km from Kandy, about 4 hours by rental car through the hill country. The drive passes Nuwara Eliya (75km, 2.5 hours) and the tea estates of the central highlands. Ella has the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak. Car rental Kandy to Ella is a popular hill country route. The drive is scenic but winding, so allow extra time. Fuel is available in Kandy before the long south run.
Self drive works well for Peradeniya, the three rock temples circuit and the Knuckles day trip. The roads are good and navigation is manageable. With driver adds value for Colombo transfers via the Kadugannawa Pass in heavy rain or at night, for Esala Perahera evenings when parking and road closures are complex, and for the Sigiriya and Cultural Triangle circuit where guide commentary adds genuine value. Filter with driver on Rentrals. All cars are automatic and an IDP is recommended.
December to April is the best season for Kandy, with dry, clear and comfortable weather. The Esala Perahera in July or August is the peak cultural event, and the city is at its busiest. Hotel rates are 3 to 5 times normal and book out months in advance. Book your car well ahead for Perahera season. Car rental Kandy is available year round. The temple, Peradeniya gardens and the rock temples are accessible in all seasons. Full insurance is available on 32 cars.
58 cars are available in Kandy on Rentrals. All 58 have city delivery. All 58 have no credit card required. Full insurance is available on 32 cars. 10 cars are new. Yes, book ahead. Kandy is Sri Lanka’s most in demand rental destination during Esala Perahera (July and August). Supply tightens significantly 2 to 3 weeks before the festival. Cheap car rental Kandy Sri Lanka starts from $25 per day with the Suzuki Wagon R. The Toyota Raize new car starts from $45 per day.
Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist site. It houses the left canine tooth of the Gautama Buddha, enshrined in a series of seven nested caskets of diminishing size, the innermost of gold and studded with gems. Only the outer casket is ever displayed publicly. Three daily puja ceremonies take place at 5:30am, 9:30am and 6:30pm. Entry is 2,000 LKR for foreign visitors. No shorts or bare shoulders. Sarong wraps are provided at the gate. A rental car parks in the main car park directly opposite the temple.
Within 22km south of Kandy city centre sit three 14th century Kandyan temples. Gadaladeniya is 15km south, a hilltop temple with South Indian architectural influence on the entrance portico and a Sinhalese Buddhist interior. Lankatilaka is 15km south, built into a cliff face, a dramatic four storey image house from 1344 AD with a 9 metre Buddha image and fine Kandyan murals. Embekke Devale is 16km south, the Devale of the Hindu deity Skanda, famous for its carved wooden pillars depicting wrestlers, dancers, swans and a two headed eagle. A rental car covers all three in a morning circuit.
No. All 58 cars in the Kandy fleet are automatic. This makes driving in the hill country easier, especially on the Kadugannawa Pass descent and the winding roads to Ella and Nuwara Eliya. An IDP is recommended. All cars have city delivery, all are available without a credit card, and full insurance is available on 32 cars. The Suzuki Wagon R from $25 per day is the most popular economy choice. The Toyota Raize new car from $45 per day is the premium option.
Car hire across Sri Lanka
Kandy is the hill country gateway. Every location below has options on Rentrals Sri Lanka.