Is Sri Lanka expensive to visit?
Despite being a very popular country to visit, Sri Lanka can be surprisingly affordable. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of countries in Asia for its affordability - comparable to places like Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Sri Lanka
How expensive is Sri Lanka?
On average, visitors spend about $56 per day during their visit to Sri Lanka (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Sri Lanka here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Sri Lanka?
A one week trip to Sri Lanka costs about $392 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $783.
How expensive is a two week trip to Sri Lanka?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Sri Lanka costs around $783 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,567.
How expensive is a month long trip to Sri Lanka?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Sri Lanka will cost around $1,679 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $3,357.
Is it expensive to backpack in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a popular backpacker destination with more than 170 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $10 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in Sri Lanka here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Kandy, Sigiriya, and Weligama. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Weligama, Colombo, and Negombo, which average $12, $11, and $11 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Trincomalee, Galle, and Anuradhapura which average $8, $8, and $7 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Sri Lanka.
- $3 for a dorm bed at Kandy Krush Hostel in Kandy
- $10 for a dorm bed at AnotherWorld Sigiriya Hostel in Sigiriya
- $10 for a dorm bed at Plan B Coliving & Coworking in Weligama
Where to find affordable hostels in Sri Lanka
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Kandy | 33 | $10 |
| Sigiriya | 30 | $8 |
| Weligama | 29 | $12 |
| Negombo | 20 | $11 |
| Colombo | 11 | $11 |
| Galle | 9 | $8 |
| Trincomalee | 8 | $8 |
| Nuwara Eliya | 7 | $8 |
| Dambulla | 6 | $9 |
| Anuradhapura | 5 | $7 |
Are hotels expensive in Sri Lanka?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Sri Lanka, we find that they come at a significantly lower cost compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $35 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Ampara commanding a higher average of $117 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Vavuniya, Minneriya, and Polonnaruwa, where hotel prices average around $26, $24, and $20 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in Sri Lanka
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Ampara | $117 |
| Chilaw | $92 |
| Colombo | $63 |
| Puttalam | $63 |
| Maskeliya | $55 |
| Weligama | $26 |
| Batticaloa | $26 |
| Vavuniya | $26 |
| Minneriya | $24 |
| Polonnaruwa | $20 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $8 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Private City Day Tour in Anuradhapura: $30
- Chauffeur guide and Tour organizer: $25
- Kandy City Tour By Best Guide Lanka Tours: $5.00
- Nuwaraeliya Tea Factory and WaterFall Tour’s With DMJ Tours: $37
- Mountain Bicycle Group Tour Anuradhapura & History with Buddhism: $23
- Anuradhapura Heritage Mountain bike / bicycle Tour: $25
- Nuwara Eliya Tea Plucking-Tasting Hidden Waterfalls Experience: $19
- Tea Fields & Factory Tour: $20
Is food expensive in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $24 per day on food, per person.
- Kandy Traditional Cooking Classes by KandyLiving: $25
- Authentic Sri Lankan Cooking Class in Mirissa: $32
- Sri Lankan Privet Cooking Class with Lunch: $35
- G Dinu Colombo Cooking Class Market Tour & Home Style Cuisine: $45
- Tea Plantation Tour Village Experience & Cooking Class and Lunch: $60
- Colombo City And Food Tour: $95
Is transportation expensive in Sri Lanka?
Local transportation in Sri Lanka can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $5 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within Sri Lanka can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $17 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for Sri Lanka
If you're planning a trip to Sri Lanka, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.