How much does a trip to Sri Lanka Cost?
The Cost of a Trip to Sri Lanka
Visitors to Sri Lanka usually spend between $19 and $155 per day on average for one person and $37 to $310 for two people. While this is a wide range, the average daily cost averages $51 (LKR15,293) per person. This average includes sightseeing, hotel, food, and local transportation expenses from other travelers. Your individual travel expenses may vary based on travel style and the locations visited, but if you plan wisely while visiting the most popular destinations, such as , then you'll likely spend somewhere in this price range while on your trip. Further down we have a breakdown of expenses by category, as well as a comparison of independent travel versus guided tour prices.
How much money should you budget for your trip to Sri Lanka?
If you're planning an Independent trip to Sri Lanka, budget travelers should plan to spend around $19 (LKR5,526) per day for their trip. This average includes hostels and budget hotels, affordable meal options, local transportation, and activities. If you're on a mid-range budget, plan for around $51 (LKR15,293) a day which covers the cost of typical hotels, normal restaurants, and a variety of popular attractions. Luxury travelers should allow for $155 (LKR46,192) a day, which would cover higher-end hotels, nicer restaurants, and more private tour options. All of these price ranges are based on our extensive travel cost data for Sri Lanka from other travelers, along with hotel and tour data from travel companies.
| 3 Days | 7 Days | 14 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation1 | $74 | $174 | $347 |
| Intercity Transportation1 | $56 | $130 | $260 |
| Local Transportation1 | $15 | $36 | $71 |
| Food2 | $49 | $115 | $229 |
| Water2 | $2 | $5 | $10 |
| Entertainment1 | $25 | $59 | $118 |
| Souvenirs1 | $27 | $62 | $125 |
| Communication2 | $7 | $16 | $31 |
| Living Expenses2 | $77 | $180 | $360 |
| Alcohol2 | $17 | $39 | $77 |
| Tips and Handouts1 | $4 | $10 | $19 |
How much does a one week trip to Sri Lanka cost?
Most visitors spend between $130 and $1,086 for a one week trip to Sri Lanka, with the average being $359. This includes sightseeing, local transportation, food, and hotels. One week is enough time to visit one, two, or maybe three locations in Sri Lanka, depending on how in-depth you want to make your visit. Some of the most popular places to visit are .
Sri Lanka
How much does a two week trip to Sri Lanka cost?
With two weeks, you should budget between $260 and $2,172 for your trip to Sri Lanka. The average price for a two week trip is $719. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as smaller towns.
How much does a one month trip to Sri Lanka cost?
When embarking on a month-long trip to Sri Lanka, expenses can range from $557 to $4,653, with an average cost falling around $1,541. For those fortunate enough to have a full month, considering a vacation rental with a kitchen for at least a portion of your stay can help save money with meals. Backpackers often opt for hostels due to their affordability and the added benefit of a social vibe.
Hostel Prices in Sri Lanka
With more than 160 hostels in Sri Lanka, the average price is $9 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in Sri Lanka not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in Sri Lanka here.
| Number of Hostels | Average Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Kandy | 27 | $9 |
| Weligama | 25 | $11 |
| Sigiriya | 23 | $7 |
| Colombo | 18 | $10 |
| Negombo | 15 | $9 |
| Nuwara Eliya | 9 | $6 |
| Galle | 8 | $8 |
| Hikkaduwa | 7 | $18 |
| Anuradhapura | 5 | $7 |
| Trincomalee | 4 | $6 |
| Yala National Park | 4 | $8 |
| Dambulla | 4 | $7 |
| Tangalla | 4 | $7 |
| Bentota | 3 | $7 |
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Sri Lanka.
- $8 for a dorm bed at Kandy Back Packer's Hostel in Kandy
- $10 for a dorm bed at Plan B Coliving & Coworking in Weligama
- $15 for a dorm bed at Roy's Villa Hostel in Sigiriya
Hotel Prices in Sri Lanka
You'll find a wide range of hotel options across Sri Lanka. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in Sri Lanka.
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Beruwala | $105 |
| Haputale | $99 |
| Tangalla | $87 |
| Bentota | $86 |
| Sigiriya | $74 |
| Colombo | $48 |
| Anuradhapura | $42 |
| Kandy | $41 |
| Negombo | $41 |
| Hikkaduwa | $39 |
| Polonnaruwa | $28 |
Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in Sri Lanka?
Organized tours are an easy and convenient way to visit Sri Lanka. All of the details are handled by travel experts, and during the trip you'll benefit from the knowledge of an expert guide.
Traveling independently offers freedom and flexibility that is hard to find on an organized tour.
Many travelers appreciate the convenience and ease that an organized tour offers. Many tours provide transportation and expert guides that help you enjoy your trip.
Alternatively, you'll enjoy freedom and flexibility with independent travel that is difficult to find with an organized tour.
Comparing Trip Costs in Sri Lanka
When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.
| Organized Package Tours | Independent Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip Cost | $215 - $2,835 | $56 - $465 |
| 7-Day Trip Cost | $330 - $1,903 | $130 - $1,086 |
| 10-Day Trip Cost | $532 - $4,095 | $186 - $1,551 |
| 14-Day Trip Cost | $500 - $4,940 | $260 - $2,172 |
Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons
Organized Tours
Pros- An expert guide familiar with the culture
- Convenient transportation
- Fellow travelers to socialize with
- Well researched activities
- Efficient and thought out itinerary
- The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
- Limited options
- Usually not customizable
- The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
- Usually more expensive than independent travel
- There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community
Independent Travel
Pros- Completely customizable
- Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
- Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
- Freedom to move at your own pace
- Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
- More affordable
- Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
- Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
- Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
- Popular sights may sell out well in advance
- If something goes wrong, you're on your own
Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in Sri Lanka?
Organized tours typically average around $156 per day and provide the convenience of an all-inclusive package with one comprehensive payment. On the other hand, independent trips usually average around $51 (LKR15,293) per day and involve individual payments for accommodations, local transportation, meals, and sightseeing. Both organized tours and independent trips have their own unique challenges and benefits, so it's crucial to thoroughly understand the aspects of each to make a fair comparison. For a detailed analysis of tour prices in Sri Lanka, check out our comprehensive guide on tour prices in Sri Lanka here.
Here are a few sample tours in Sri Lanka:
-
Nature's Secret Sri Lanka - 21 Days ($2,900)
21 days, 24 destinations -
Luxury Private Tour Sri Lanka ($2,900)
14 days, 14 destinations -
Bestseller of Sri Lanka, 3 Star Hotels & Private Car Tour ($2,490)
12 days, 13 destinations -
Sri Lanka Serendipitous ($5,600)
12 days, 8 destinations -
SRI LANKA LUXURY HONEYMOON TOUR ($4,988)
12 days, 12 destinations
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.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
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.
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