A Sri Lanka Family Holiday with Your Own Private Driver
Sri Lanka is a good choice for a family holiday. The distances are short, the sights change every day, and children can see elephants, ride a famous train and swim at a calm beach, all in one trip. With Chinta Tours, you travel with your own vehicle and private driver, on a plan built around your dates, your children’s ages and the pace that suits you.
Why families choose Sri Lanka
Lots to see in a small country
Ancient cities, tea hills, safaris and beaches are all within a few hours’ drive of each other.
Your own vehicle
No buses or timetables. Stop when the children need a break, and keep your luggage in the car.
A pace you can change
No fixed group schedule. Tell us if you want shorter drives, later starts or an extra beach day.
What children love in Sri Lanka
- Elephants. See wild elephants on safari at Udawalawe, Yala or Minneriya, from the safety of a jeep.
- The train ride through the tea hills to Ella, with the Nine Arches Bridge along the way.
- Beaches. Calm, shallow water at Unawatuna and Pasikuda, and turtles near Hikkaduwa.
- Rock fortress and caves. Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla cave temple feel like an adventure, though the climb has many steps and is best for older children.
- Cultural shows. An evening of traditional dance and drumming in Kandy.
- Tea country. A visit to a tea estate and factory around Nuwara Eliya.
A sample family route
This is a starting point, based on our 10 day Sri Lanka tour. We change it to suit the ages of your children and how much driving they can manage.
1. Negombo: arrive and rest (1 night)
Negombo is 30 minutes from the airport, so you can recover from the flight before the trip starts.
2. Dambulla and Sigiriya (2 nights)
Visit the cave temple and Sigiriya, and add a village visit or a short safari.
3. Kandy (1 to 2 nights)
The lake, the temple and an evening dance show, with a visit to a botanical garden.
4. Hill country and Ella (2 nights)
The train ride, the Nine Arches Bridge and an easy walk with a view.
5. Yala or Udawalawe safari (1 night)
A jeep safari to look for elephants and, in Yala, leopards.
6. Beach to finish (3 or more nights)
Unawatuna or Mirissa from December to April, or Pasikuda from May to September. See our best beaches in Sri Lanka guide.
Family-friendly tours to start from
- 7 day Sri Lanka tour for a shorter trip.
- 10 day Sri Lanka tour and the 14 day Sri Lanka itinerary for more time at each stop.
- 4 day beach and Yala safari tour for a short break.
- 9 day nature and wildlife tour for children who love animals.
Tips for travelling with children
- Keep drives short. Sri Lankan roads are slow. Plan two to four hours of driving a day, with stops.
- Skip the earliest starts when you can. Some sights, such as Horton Plains, involve a very early start and a long walk, which may be too much for young children.
- Protect against the sun and mosquitoes. Use sun cream, hats and repellent, especially at dusk and in the rainy season.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, and choose busy restaurants with freshly cooked food.
- Be careful in the sea. Choose calm bays, keep children within reach, and ask your hotel about the day’s conditions.
- Keep your distance from wildlife, and stay in the jeep on safari.
- Whale watching: boat trips from Mirissa can be long and rough, so check the operator’s age rules and the sea conditions first.
For more detail, read is Sri Lanka safe and our travel instructions. For timing, see the best time to visit Sri Lanka, and for hotels, where to stay in Sri Lanka.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sri Lanka good for a family holiday?
Yes. Short distances, a mix of wildlife, culture and beaches, and the option of a private driver make it easy for families to enjoy.
How many days do we need for a family trip to Sri Lanka?
Seven days covers the main highlights. Ten to fourteen days lets you slow down and add the south coast and a safari.
What is the best time to take children to Sri Lanka?
December to March is best for the south and west coasts and the hill country, and May to September is best for the east coast. See our best time to visit guide for the month-by-month picture.
Are safaris suitable for children?
Many families enjoy them. Safaris are in open jeeps, with early or late starts and a few hours of bouncing along tracks, so they suit children who can sit still and stay in the vehicle.
Can we change the route for our children?
Yes. Tell us your children’s ages and your preferred pace, and we will plan the drives, stops and beach days around them.
Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka with young children?
Most families have a trouble-free trip. Take the usual care with sun, water, mosquitoes and the sea, and check the latest official advice before you travel.
Plan Your Sri Lanka Family Holiday
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and the ages of your children, and we will plan a route and a price.
