With its fabulous landscapes, rich culture and wonderful hospitality, Sri Lanka draws all kinds of travelers.
And even for those on a shoestring budget, the island nation offers travel experiences that don’t break the bank – think palm-fringed beaches, wildlife adventures and ancient temples packed with fascinating history.
Whether you’re coming for just a few days, backpacking for months or exploring the country’s digital nomad scene, here are some helpful ways to keep your costs down and have a fabulous time in Sri Lanka on a budget.
Daily costs
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Dorm bed in a hostel: Rs 2000–5000 (US$6.80–17.05)
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Basic room for two in a homestay: Rs 3200–6500 (US$10.90–22)
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Basic hotel room for two: Rs 6500–13,000 (US$22–44)
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Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): Rs 6500–33,000 (US$22–112)
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Public transport ticket (local bus): Rs 325–1000 one way, (US$1.10–3.40)
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Public transport ticket (reserved, air-conditioned train): Rs 2000–3300 (US$6.80–11.25)
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Coffee: Rs 650–1300 (US$2.20–4.40)
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Sandwich: Rs 325–1600 (US$1.10–5.45)
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Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant: Rs 5000–7200 (US$17.05–24.50)
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Dinner for two in a fine-dining restaurant: Rs 13,000–23,000 (US$44–78)
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Beer at the bar (local 330ml can of Lion): Rs 325 (US$1.10)
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Rice and curry: Rs 650–1600 (US$2.20–5.45)
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A plate of kotthu rotti: Rs 1000–1600 (US$3.40–5.45)
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Deep-fried vegetable roll: Less than Rs 325 (US$1.10)
Consider flying via India
The cheapest flights to Sri Lanka are on low-cost carriers from such Indian destinations as Chennai, Bengaluru (Bangalore) and New Delhi. Whether you’re looking to get a taste of both India and Sri Lanka on the same trip or just connecting, flying in from across the Palk Strait could save you money.
Travel in the off season is better value
The peak tourist season in Sri Lanka runs from December to April. If you avoid these months – particularly December, January and April, when holidays are celebrated – you can save on accommodation. May to September is the northwest monsoon season, but don’t fret: Sri Lanka’s tropical climate means monsoon downpours don’t last long.
The monsoon season is also a great time to explore the east coast’s sandy beaches, vibrant surf scene and abundant wildlife. The period between June and August offers world-class conditions for kitesurfing in Kalpitiya. Things get quiet during the shoulder season in October and November, but you’ll be able to find cheaper accommodation options, as the south coast slowly opens up.
Take the airport bus rather than a taxi
Small, air-conditioned buses (like Bus 187) run from just outside the airport to the center of Colombo, take about 30 minutes and cost less than Rs 700 (US$2.40). If you’re traveling with a backpack and little other luggage, this is a great way to cut costs.
Sleep in local homestays and hostels
Sri Lanka has clean, comfortable, local homestays for anywhere between Rs 3200 (US$10.90) and Rs 6500 (US$22) per night, with most available on reservation platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb. Not only are they a great budget accommodation option, but they are also the best way to experience Sri Lanka’s warm hospitality. Family-run homestays are typically a safe option for solo women travelers, too.
Many budget hostels around the island shuttered permanently during the pandemic, but you will still come across a few options in big cities and beach towns. Hostel beds cost between Rs 2000 (US$6.80) and Rs 5000 (US$17.05) per night. In low season, luxury hotel rooms and villas can drop as low as to around Rs 32,000 (US$109) per night.
Don’t book long stays in advance
Using Airbnb in Sri Lanka is a good way to find self-catering apartments and small houses, which can cost as little as Rs 6500 (US$22.15) a night (and quickly rise from there). If you plan on staying for a long while, you can get a good deal and avoid unnecessary taxes by speaking to the owner directly once you arrive. Most property owners are happy to give a discounted rate for long-term guests.
Hop on local buses
Sri Lanka has an extensive public transport system, connecting big cities with smaller towns and villages. Most local buses are not air conditioned and play loud music – but they are cheap, and the way most Sri Lankans travel from town to town. Apart from a few (usually inaccurate) timetables for major routes, there are no real bus schedules: buses either run late or only set off when they are full. Don’t let that put you off – on most routes there will be a bus every few minutes. Most cost a couple of dollars for a one-way journey.
Book your train tickets before boarding
Traveling by train in Sri Lanka is both economical and comfortable, providing you a taste of Sri Lankan culture and the country’s diverse landscapes. Most long-distance trains have both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned compartments. A ticket in the air-conditioned coach costs around Rs 2000 (US$6.80) to Rs 3200 (US$11.25).
Keep in mind, though, that you can only reserve your seat in advance at major railway stations like Colombo, Kandy, Nanu Oya (near Nuwara Eliya), Jaffna, and Ella. You can secure your seats through transport platforms like Bookaway, but once you add on the commission, the same train ticket will cost you two or three times more.
Travelers also have the option to just show up on the day and buy a cheap ticket that costs between Rs 327 (US$1.12) and Rs 982 (US$3.35) for a non-reservable compartment. Note that these compartments get crowded during rush hour and weekends.
Board the southern expressway bus
If you are traveling to southern Sri Lanka, take the expressway bus. These air-conditioned buses leave for Galle, Matara, Tangalle, and Hambantota (near Yala National Park) from Makumbura bus station in Colombo. For a one-to-two-hour bus journey, you’re looking at a one-way ticket that costs less than Rs 1600 (US$5.45). These buses are also faster than the local train.
Use ride-hailing apps in Colombo and Kandy
Though rideshare apps only work in Colombo and Kandy, they are the most practical way to travel within these two cities while saving money. You’ll have the option to book bikes and tuk-tuks as well as basic cars and luxury vehicles.
If you want a little comfort and don’t want to opt for public transport to travel outside Colombo, the homegrown app PickMe is also a great platform to book taxis for longer trips. Services here are up to 30% cheaper than booking pre-arranged taxis through a hotel or tour agency.
Where you can’t use ride-hailing apps, rent a scooter
Outside Colombo and Kandy and the range of rideshare apps, prices for multiple tuk-tuks can add up. (As most drivers don’t have a meter, note that you’ll have to pay anything they quote, so be sure to settle on a price before you get in.) To save the hassle, rent a scooter instead. These cost Rs 1600 (US$5.45) to Rs 3200 (US$10.90) a day and are a popular way to hop from beach to beach along the south coast.
Eat at “hotels”
Join locals at small, hole-in-the-wall restaurants called “hotels” to save money on food. You can gorge on a plate of rice and curry for as little as Rs 600 (US$2.05) to Rs 1300 (US$4.40). Hotels also sell snacks – often called “shorties” or “short-eats” – like deep-fried fish cutlets, vegetable patties, and sugar-sprinkled tea buns for less than a dollar.
In more-touristy areas like Unawatuna and Ella, food is a little bit more expensive. Still, most chic cafes, restaurants and beach shacks offer great value for money. A meal for two with a couple of beers can range from Rs 5000 (US$17.05) to Rs 8000 (US$27.30).
Head to the local market for food and other sundries
If you’re looking to stay put in Sri Lanka for a while, keep in mind that imported products like chocolates, biscuits, cheese and cosmetics are expensive and hard to find. Instead, shop for local brands at supermarkets and grocery stores. It’s always cheaper to buy fresh vegetables, fruits and cooking ingredients from small stalls by the road or the local market.
Seek out women-run health food outlets for vegan and vegetarian meals
Across the country, keep an eye peeled for Hela Bojun (also known as Ammachchi in the north); if you find an open-air kitchen full of female chefs dressed in green aprons and hair covers, you are at the right place. Run entirely by local women, these restaurants were created by the Ministry of Agriculture to promote regional, homegrown ingredients and healthy eating, while encouraging women’s entrepreneurship. And indeed, they mainly sell nutritious vegan and vegetarian dishes. You can grab a filling meal with a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice or a cup of herbal tea for under a dollar here.
Join other travelers to save up on wildlife safaris
Sri Lanka’s national parks are a stupendous way to spot wild Asian elephants, leopards, and rare native and migratory birds in their natural habitats. With entrance fees, tax, and 4WD costs, a safari for two will set you back Rs 23,000 (US$79) to Rs 33,000 (US$113). Since a 4WD vehicle typically seats six, consider buddying up with other travelers to share the costs. Avoid any additional transport by staying close to the parks. The same goes for whale- and dolphin-watching tours.
Consider visiting less popular tourist sites
The entry fee for the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura runs US$25 for non–South Asian visitors. Yet throughout the country, there are equally compelling sites to visit that are much easier on the purse. Temples and historical sites such as the Dambulla Cave Temple, Yapahuwa in Kurunegala, Embekke near Kandy, and Mulkirigala Rock Temple near Tangalle still offer cultural heft – but at a fraction of the price.
Climb Pidurangala instead of Lion Rock
To visit Lion Rock in Sigiriya costs a whopping US$35 for visitors from outside of South Asia. Budget travelers should instead consider climbing Pidurangala, which offers clear views of the mighty 180m-high (590ft-high) rock fortress, but costs just Rs 1000 (US$3.40) to summit.
