Sri Lanka Trip Cost: A Detailed Breakdown for Budget Travelers

Sri Lanka, with it's lush landscapes, serene beaches, rich cultural heritage, and friendly locals, offers a fantastic vacation experience. Whether you're a history buff, nature enthusiast, or someone just looking to relax on the beach, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. If you’ve been wondering how much a trip to this island nation would cost, you’re not alone. A lot of my readers have reached out asking about the expenses for my recent trip to Sri Lanka, and I thought it would be helpful to dedicate a blog post to this. Here, I’ll break down all the major costs of my trip to Sri Lanka from Bangalore, including flights, accommodation, internal transport, attractions, and food, so you can plan your own Sri Lanka getaway on a budget.

Overview of the Trip

My trip to Sri Lanka was a 4-day whirlwind tour, where I covered six cities. From the bustling streets of Colombo to the serene beaches of Bentota and the historic sites of Kandy, I packed a lot into a short amount of time. If you’d like to know more about the itinerary itself, check out my detailed post on the Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Flight Costs: Bangalore to Colombo

The biggest expense for most travelers is the flight, and Sri Lanka is relatively affordable when it comes to air travel from India. I booked a round-trip flight from Bangalore to Colombo for INR 12,000 per person. So, for two people, the total cost was INR 24,000.

I always recommend booking flights in advance. My go-to tool for finding the lowest fares is Skyscanner. Using the "whole month" option on Skyscanner, you can check prices for different dates and select the most affordable option for your travel. I usually find the best deals for my trips this way.

Tip: For the best rates, keep checking flight prices a few months ahead of your planned trip and look for sales or last-minute offers.

Visa Costs: Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival

One of the biggest surprises during my trip was the Visa on Arrival policy for Indian passport holders. At the time of my visit, Indian nationals could enter Sri Lanka without paying any visa fee. Typically, a Sri Lanka tourist visa costs about INR 2,000-3,000, but to promote tourism, Sri Lanka had exempted the visa fee for Indian travelers until 2020.

I had initially planned to get my visa through a travel agent for a nominal fee, but given the fee waiver, it was all smooth sailing at the airport.

Internal Transport: Car Hire

Sri Lanka does not have a comprehensive metro or reliable public transport network, which means the best way to travel around the island is by hiring a private car. I opted for a car rental with a driver through a service called Leisure Tours (booked via AtlasTravel). The cost of the car for 4 days, which covered all sightseeing and transportation from the airport to all cities, was INR 25,000.

Fuel costs in Sri Lanka are slightly higher than in India, and hiring a car with a driver can be a bit pricier, but it’s the most convenient and stress-free way to get around, especially for tourists. If you book directly with local providers, you can often negotiate better rates.

Tip: Always try to book directly with local tour operators to cut out the middleman fees.

Accommodation: Hotels in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka offers a range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxury resorts. Since I wanted a more comfortable experience, I stayed in 5-star and 4-star properties at very reasonable rates for international standards. Here's a breakdown of my hotel stays:

1. Day 1: Cinnamon Bey Bentota (Located on Beruwala Beach)

   • INR 4,500 per night

   • This 5-star property was built with beautiful Turkish architecture and offered a fantastic beach view.

2. Day 2 and Day 3: Thilanka Kandy (Located in the city center)

   • INR 5,000 per night

   • A beautiful hotel perched on a hill offering panoramic views of Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It’s a great place to relax after exploring the city.

3. Day 4: Steuart by Citrus Hotel (Located near Galle Face)

   • INR 5,500 per night

   • This 4-star hotel in Colombo was walkable from the famous Galle Face Green, a prime area for tourists.

Total Hotel Cost for the 4-night stay: INR 20,000 for two people. Considering the quality of the accommodations, I felt it was a great value.

Tip: Always compare hotel prices on various platforms such as Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Atlastravel.com  before making your reservation. Rates can vary significantly, and you might find a better deal on one platform.

Attractions and Entry Fees

Sri Lanka is a country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Most attractions have entry fees for foreign nationals, but if you’re from a SAARC nation, you might get a discount (typically around 50%). Here's a list of some of the key attractions I visited, along with their fees:

1. Bentota Beach and Beruwala Beach – Free

2. Turtle Hatchery in Bentota – 1,000 LKR (approx. INR 500)

3. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – 700 LKR (approx. INR 350)

4. Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy – 1,500 LKR (approx. INR 750)

5. Kandy Lake – Free

6. Sigiriya (Ravan's Fort) – 2,300 LKR (approx. INR 1,150)

7. Dambulla Cave Temple – 1,500 LKR (approx. INR 750)

Total Cost for Attractions: 7,000 LKR (approx. INR 3,500) per person for all the above attractions.

While these fees may seem high in comparison to local attractions, they are quite reasonable when compared to other international destinations. Plus, the experiences and the beauty of these sites are well worth the investment.

Food and Miscellaneous Expenses

When it comes to food, Sri Lanka offers a mix of traditional dishes and international cuisine. The food is quite affordable, and eating where the locals eat can save you a lot of money.

Breakfast at the hotels was included, and it was always quite hearty and filling. For lunch, we would buy fruits from local markets or grab a light meal at roadside eateries. Our dinners were typically at small local restaurants, where we enjoyed traditional dishes like Dosa, Poori Sabji, Noodles, and local Sri Lankan curries.

Estimated Food Costs for 2 People for 5 Days: INR 5,000

Other miscellaneous expenses, such as snacks, bottled water, or any small purchases, were minimal.

Total Cost Breakdown for the Trip

Here’s a quick summary of all the expenses for a 4-day trip for two people (excluding shopping):

1. Flights: INR 24,000

2. Visa: INR 0 (Visa on Arrival)

3. Car Hire (4 Days): INR 25,000

4. Accommodation: INR 20,000

5. Attractions: INR 3,500

6. Food: INR 5,000

Total Cost for 2 Adults: INR 81,000 (Approx. INR 1 Lakh including some incidentals)

This cost is very reasonable, especially when compared to domestic trips within India like to Kerala or Goa, where the costs can be similarly high or even more. And the natural beauty of Sri Lanka — from the beaches to the temples to the mountains — is truly breathtaking.

Final Thoughts and Travel Tips

Sri Lanka is a wonderful destination for travelers who want to explore culture, history, and nature, all while keeping costs fairly low. My trip to Sri Lanka was a memorable one, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a quick getaway or a budget-friendly international vacation. If you're planning a trip, I’d suggest you avoid tour operators and try to plan your trip independently for a more personalized experiece