Costs and budgets: what a day in Sri Lanka really costs

Sri Lanka can be a good-value trip, but it isn't the bargain it was a few years ago, especially for entrance tickets and hotels in popular areas. This page gives you the official figures on what visitors spend, the costs that catch people out, and simple ways to keep your budget on track.

Quick answers

• What do visitors spend? Sri Lanka's tourism authority estimates visitors spent on average about US$148 to US$172 a day in 2025 (provisional figures), including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
• What costs the most? Accommodation and entrance tickets to the big sites. Food and local transport are usually the cheaper parts of a trip.
• Cash or card? You'll need both. See our Money, SIM cards and staying connected guide.
• Is the ETA free? For 40 nationalities, yes. See our Visa and entry guide for fees for everyone else.

What visitors spend: the official figures

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority surveys visitors on what they spend. Its 2025 review gives these average daily figures per visitor:

Both figures are provisional. They are averages across all visitors, from backpackers to people on luxury tours, so your own spend could be well above or below them.

A rough daily budget

The bands below are a starting point for planning. They are per person per day, sharing a room, and don't include flights or international travel insurance.

These ranges are rounded from budget guides published by travel websites in 2026, not official figures. They vary between sources and change with exchange rates, so treat them as a rough guide and price your own trip before you book.

Compare before you book

Prices for the same hotel, flight or tour can differ a lot between websites. Check a few, for example Agoda, Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, and a flight comparison site such as Skyscanner for flights. These are examples, not recommendations.

Costs that catch people out

Entrance tickets

Foreign visitors pay a separate, higher ticket price than Sri Lankan residents at many major sites, and some prices are set in US dollars. For example, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy charges foreign visitors LKR 3,000 (LKR 2,500 for visitors from SAARC countries, Thailand and Myanmar). The ticket also covers the temple's museums.

Prices for Sigiriya and the other ancient cities are set by the Central Cultural Fund, and national park fees by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Check their official websites before you go, as these are among the biggest single costs of a trip.

Service charges and taxes

Many hotel and restaurant bills add a service charge and taxes on top of the menu or room price. Check whether a quoted price is 'net' (everything included) or 'plus plus' (charges added on top).

Transport

Trains and buses are very cheap; private cars and drivers cost much more but save time. See our Getting around and Scenic train guides for what to expect and how to book.

Health and insurance

Private hospitals in Sri Lanka are expensive and a medical evacuation home costs far more, so travel insurance that covers medical treatment is essential. See our Safety, health and common scams guide.

Ways to keep costs down

• Travel between seasons. Hotel prices are usually lower outside each coast's main season. See our Best time to visit guide.
• Use trains and buses for longer journeys, and save private drivers for the days when they make the biggest difference.
• Eat where local people eat. Rice and curry at a local café costs a fraction of a hotel meal.
• Check tuk-tuk and taxi fares against a ride app. Use a metered tuk-tuk or agree the price before you set off, and compare quotes with the same journey on a ride app such as PickMe or Uber.
• Ask for the 'net' price when you book hotels and tours, so there are no surprises at checkout.