adminAfter three weeks of traveling through Sri Lanka, I get a lot of questions. Many questions are practical. How do you get around, which places are most worth visiting, which documents do you need, … But most of the questions are about the cost. Because when you think of a far and exotic holiday, the word ‘expensive’ probably comes to mind. But what does a 3-week trip around Sri Lanka actually cost? In this article, I’ll give you a clear overview of all possible expenses, including some tips to optimize your travel budget.
Before departure
Documents
For Sri Lanka, you need a valid passport and visa. You can buy the visa upon arrival. But it’s easy to purchase it online, and that way, you don’t have to queue after a long and exhausting flight. An online visa costs about $50, if you buy it on the spot, you pay around $60.
Tip: if you pay with American Express, your visa is $2 cheaper.
Vaccinations and medication
There are no mandatory vaccinations for Sri Lanka. Not sure? Then contact your doctor. Sri Lanka has been malaria-free since 2012. So you don’t need to take medication. Protection against mosquitoes is recommended due to other diseases. You can buy good DEET-based products locally in any supermarket for a few euros.
Travel gear
Sri Lanka is a very travel-friendly country. So that’s good news for your Sri Lanka travel budget. You don’t need any special clothing or equipment.
Payment methods
It’s handy to have some cash on you. Exchanging money at a bank before departure is not recommended due to the high exchange rates. You can exchange money upon arrival at Colombo airport. The rate is not favorable there either. It’s best to exchange a small amount here for unforeseen expenses. Larger amounts are best exchanged at money exchange offices in the cities, who exchange dollars and euros to rupees at very favorable rates.
You can pay almost everywhere with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express). Avoid ATMs due to the high fees!
Flights to Sri Lanka
For most travelers, the plane ticket is the biggest expense of the entire trip. The international airport of Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport) is the main entry point for foreign tourists.
Average return ticket price: €600 – €1,000 per person. I paid €200 because I used American Express air miles to book the flight. Read more about that here.
Tip: Book 6 to 9 months in advance and use comparison websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the cheapest deals.
During the trip
Transport in Sri Lanka
Traveling around Sri Lanka can be done in various ways: from the iconic train ride through the mountains to private drivers and tuk-tuks for short distances.
Train
The train is not only cheap but an experience in itself. The route from Kandy to Ella is known as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. The train is a good option if you’re spending more time in Sri Lanka. Because although it’s dirt cheap, you do need to take your time! So if you’re only doing a 10-day round trip, you’d better choose another option.
• Average price per ride: €1 – €5
• Example: Kandy – Ella: €3 / Colombo – Anuradhapura: €2
Tuk-tuk
Tuk-tuks are ideal for short rides within cities and villages. Always negotiate the price or use apps like PickMe (Sri Lanka’s Uber) or just Uber, which is what I usually did.
• Average price per ride: €1 – €3
You can also rent a tuk-tuk yourself. This starts from $15 per day. You also need a Sri Lankan driver’s license, which costs around $40.
I limited myself to short tuk-tuk rides that each cost me about €1.
Private driver or rental car with driver
Want more comfort or traveling with several people? Then a car with a private driver is ideal. The driver knows the roads, stops where you want, and often gives valuable tips.
• Average price: €45 – €60 per day, including fuel
You don’t need a luxury budget to experience a rich journey
Accommodations in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka offers suitable accommodation for every type of traveler: from simple guesthouses to luxurious boutique hotels. My price limit is always a maximum of €100 per night, wherever I am in the world. In Sri Lanka, you get a lot for that amount. In fact, you’re then staying in the luxury segment of accommodations. Mostly I had places between €40 and €80 per night including breakfast. A detailed overview of the accommodations can be found here.
For three weeks of travel, this comes down to a total cost of around €900. I did this trip without my family. For family rooms, you’ll pay relatively less per person.
Food and drinks
In Sri Lanka, you can eat deliciously and very cheaply. Local dishes are cheap, flavorful, and often vegetarian. Rice with curry, kottu roti, and dhal are my absolute favorites. For a few euros you’re good, and water is often provided for free with your meal. Count on about €5 for a full meal. If you buy something at a local bakery, you often pay less than €1. If you want to drink alcohol or eat in trendy restaurants, the bill can be a bit higher. But even then, you’ll have to try really hard to spend more than €15 to €20.
Activities & excursions
You can do many excursions in Sri Lanka. There are National Parks to visit and the most beautiful temples to admire. When you pick the ones that all organized group tours visit, you’ll pay significantly more. So it’s mainly about making choices, finding out what suits you and what would make a round trip through Sri Lanka unforgettable for you. Here are a few examples to give you an idea of the cost of activities.
Popular activities:
• Safari in Yala or Udawalawe: €35 – €60 per person
• Entrance Sigiriya (Lion) Rock: €28
• Tea factory tour with tasting: €10 – €15
• Surfing in Arugam Bay: €15 per lesson
• Entrance temples or museums: €2 – €10 (sometimes free)
Count on an average activity budget of €150 – €350 for three weeks, depending on how much you do.
Internet & SIM card
A local SIM card with mobile data is convenient and cheap.
• Mobile data (10 GB): €5 – €10
• Providers: Dialog and Mobitel have the best coverage
If you choose an eSIM, you’ll pay a bit more. For €50, you’ll have an eSIM with unlimited data for three weeks. My favorite for the unlimited data packages is Holafly). If you need less data, a few euros will already get you several GBs. Airalo is a good option for small packages.
Tips and small expenses
Tips are customary, but not mandatory. For hotel staff, guides, or drivers, a small tip is appreciated. Sri Lankans are very helpful and kind people. They always do everything to help you; they don’t expect anything in return, even though the country is going through economic hardship and many people are struggling to make ends meet. That makes it all the more important for me to give them a tip.
• Day driver: €3 – €5 tip per day
• Restaurant: usually not included – 5 to 10% is fine
• Other expenses: snacks, souvenirs, toilet fees – count on €2 – €5 per day
Total cost overview
Below is an estimation of what three weeks of traveling in Sri Lanka approximately costed me:
| Category | Average (€) |
|---|---|
| Flights | 200 |
| Accommodation | 900 |
| Food & drinks | 300 |
| Local transport | 250 |
| Activities | 250 |
| Other & tips | 75 |
| Total (3 weeks) | 1,975 |
Budget-saving tips for your trip to Sri Lanka
• Travel outside the high season (January – March or July – August): cheaper prices and less crowds
• Choose homestays: authentic experience and cheaper
• Use local transportation: train and bus are dirt cheap
• Book excursions on the spot: often cheaper than online
You’ll find more budget tips here.
Conclusion: what does 3 weeks of traveling in Sri Lanka cost?
A round trip through Sri Lanka is an affordable dream. For those traveling on a limited budget, you can fully enjoy three weeks of culture, nature, and relaxation in Sri Lanka for under €1,500. Those who want a bit more comfort, or travel with children, should count on an average budget between €2,000 and €2,500.
Don’t let the costs hold you back, Sri Lanka is a country that gives you a lot for very little budget.
This blog post contains affiliate links. If you book something through one of these links, it won’t cost you anything extra, but I may earn a small commission. This helps me keep the blog running — thank you for your support!
