Why are flights to Sri Lanka so expensive? If you ask, “Is Sri Lanka Expensive?” the answer is no.
Travellers travel to Sri Lanka all year long, and one of the best things about the island for these groups is how cheap it is.
Sri Lanka has long been known as a cheap place to visit, with prices about the same as most Asian countries.
There are always a lot of backpackers and cheap tourists on the island, taking advantage of the great places to stay and low cost of living.
But how much does Sri Lanka cost? We’ve compiled a full guide on how cheap, or should we say how expensive, Sri Lanka is, so you know what to expect a trip.
Why are flights to Sri Lanka so expensive?
Flight prices to Sri Lanka can differ based on where you leave from and how early you book your flight.
To get the best price, compare prices from several airlines, travel dates, and possible layover cities. You can also let us know what you need, and we’ll find the best deals on Cheap flights to Colombo.
You can also save a lot of money and find the island less crowded if you travel near the end of the busy season.
When you leave from other Asian cities like Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur, round-trip tickets on low-cost flights cost around £160 to £320.
Economy class travel from mainland Europe and the UK costs about $500 to $750 (£400 to £600) each way. Depending on your starting airport, there may be stops along the way. Direct flights or trips during busy travel times can cost a lot more, often over $1,000 (£800).
If you fly from a bigger airport and have more flight options, you can avoid stopovers. London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol are two of the biggest airports in Europe, and you might want to check out if you can take the train or bus.
If you’re coming from the US, prices increase even more, hitting a huge £1,200 or more during the busiest tourist months.
Taking a flight to Sri Lanka isn’t cheap, but once you get there, you don’t have to worry too much about money for the rest of your trip.
How Much Does Sri Lanka Cost?
If you compare Sri Lanka to any place in the West, you’ll see that it’s not expensive.
You can easily get high-class food, lodging, and transportation there for a very small amount of money.
Rupees are Sri Lanka’s currency; one US dollar equals 296 rupees!
However, Sri Lanka can be surprisingly expensive compared to the countries nearby, though this is only a generalisation.
There are cheap ways to get around the island, but there are also some costs that you can’t avoid.
If Sri Lanka is the only South Asian country you visit, you might think you’ve found a gem where everything is inexpensive. However, Sri Lanka is a bit more expensive than India, Bhutan, and Nepal, especially regarding activities and things to do.
Do not get us wrong; many things in Sri Lanka are the same price as in nearby countries, and you can easily live on £24 a day. However, there are a few places with higher prices, and Sri Lanka can be more expensive than London!
Let’s review some of the prices you should keep an eye on in Sri Lanka so you can plan your trip well and not spend too much.
You can also join us on a group tour of Sri Lanka that includes all activities, accommodations, meals, and transportation while you’re there. You need to get to Sri Lanka!
Sri Lankan Food Prices
Food costs vary by location and type, just like in any other country. However, you can get real Indian food, such as curries and rotis, for as little as $2–4 from local sellers and market stalls.
The food you eat at home costs a bit more, about £4.80 to £8 per dish. International food will cost a little more, but not a lot more.
Many different kinds of food are available, especially along Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern coast, which is a popular visitor spot.
Meals at high-end places in cities and around the capital will cost between $15 and $30, the same as in the West.
Sri Lanka’s Drink Prices
Sri Lanka has many cheap, non-alcoholic drinks that make it easy to stay hydrated when it’s hot and muggy.
Large water bottles (1.5 to 2 litres) can be bought for as little as $0.50, which is great because you shouldn’t drink tap water in Sri Lanka, so this is an important cost.
Smoothies are another great way to stay hydrated, but they cost more, between $2 and $4. They are still much cheaper than in the West and taste better!
Alcohol prices are very different across the island.
A local brand like Lion Lager is your best bet for a cheap beer. A normal bottle or can costs about $1 to $3 in bars and restaurants.
Since most people in the country don’t drink beer, it can be hard to find foreign brands. However, you can always find at least a few. These will cost more, around $2 to $5, because they have to be imported.
Sri Lankans don’t drink much wine either, so the food might not be the best in the world, but most mid-range and high-end places have good options. Most of the time, a glass of house wine costs around $5.
Cocktails are very popular in tourist spots and hotel resorts, normally costing between $7 and $10.
Cost of Getting Around in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s public transport is pretty good, and the bus is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get around. It will cost as little as $0.20 for short trips and as much as $5 for long ones.
The bus is the cheapest way to get around Sri Lanka, but we can’t promise they’ll show up on time or won’t be packed full of people. This is why tourists on a tight budget like to take them.
Trains are another popular way to get around the island’s interior, though they are more expensive. Many people, including us, write great things about the Ella to Kandy route, one example of a well-known path.
Short trips on the train will cost about $1, and first-class links across the country will cost up to $10.
Taxis and tuk-tuks are popular ways to get around Sri Lanka, especially in tourist areas. Most tuk-tuk rides are short and cost between $2 and $5 each. Taxis, on the other hand, take a bit more haggling.
Even though they’ll cost more than tuk-tuk rides, you should still consider how much you think the trip is worth, considering prices in Sri Lanka.
Cost of a Place to Stay in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, places to stay are more expensive than in nearby countries, and it will be hard to find somewhere that matches the cost of living in the country.
It’s becoming clear to the people of Sri Lanka that the tourism business is on the rise. Since a few years ago, the cost of places to stay on the island has increased, especially near the coast and in Colombo.
There are still very cheap places to stay in the country, especially hotels and homestays, which we suggest you do if you are backpacking in Sri Lanka. These places to stay can be as cheap as $10 to $15 per night, and they’re even less expensive when the season isn’t busy.
Mid-range hotels and guesthouses with more comfort and better facilities start at around $30 per night and go up to $150 or more per night. This is a good deal if you are going with a friend or as a couple because most rooms have either twin or double beds.
Luxury boutique hotels in tourist spots like Galle and Kandy are much more expensive, at more than $150 per night. However, the level of comfort and ease is worth the extra money, and the staff will take great care of you.
To reiterate, $150 is a small price to pay for a high-class hotel where you will be treated like a king or queen.
Costs of Things to Do in Sri Lanka
People who visit Sri Lanka will have difficulty getting bored because there are so many things to see and do.
There are many free things to do, like climbing trails and beaches, but some things are worth paying for, even if they are a bit more expensive than in other parts of southern Asia.
One of the most famous places to visit on the island is Sigiriya Rock, but it costs $36 to get there, which is about the same as a day tour of London.
It costs between $90 and $150 to go on safari in the national parks in the south of Sri Lanka. However, the experiences are worth the cost because you can see amazing wildlife up close.
Sometimes, temples charge fees. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is the most visited, costs about $6.50.
Tea plantations are a cheap way to spend a few hours. Speciality tastings and tours of the estate can cost as little as $1.
Cooking classes, scuba diving, and surfing lessons are also very popular on the south coast. These activities are a bit more expensive than in other countries nearby, but you can still find good deals if you look around.
A good rule of thumb is to look for a surf school that charges between $10 and $25 per lesson, one that charges between $40 and $60 per dive (but make sure the company is trustworthy!), and cooking lessons for less than $35.
So even though it costs more than the countries nearby, there are still many great things you can do in Sri Lanka that don’t cost much.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you can still enjoy the island for a reasonable price. However, you will have to pay a few fees to see the primary tourist sites on the island.
Why are flights to Sri Lanka so expensive – FAQS
How much does Sri Lankan food cost?
Sri Lankan food can be as cheap as £2–4 for street food and as expensive as £30 at fancy places.
How much Sri Lankan rupees do I need every day?
In Sri Lanka, travellers should spend about $30 a day on food and accommodation. It will cost much less on most days, but well-known tourist spots can tighten the budget.
How much does it cost to go to Sri Lanka for a week?
A one-week trip to Sri Lanka will cost between $300 and $1200, not counting the flights. The exact cost will rely on where you stay, eat, do things, and get around.
What is the cost of a beer in Sri Lanka?
A standard-sized bottle or can of beer usually costs between $1 and $3. Prices change based on brand and where on the island you are.
