How much does a trip to Sri Lanka cost?

A tailor-made Sri Lanka trip with travoHolidays starts from US$331.75 per person for a three-night beach-and-culture break, and our six-night itineraries with a Yala safari start from US$533 per person in 3-star hotels. Prices are per person, two sharing, land only (international flights excluded). On top of that, many nationalities now pay nothing for the tourist ETA, while others pay a fixed fee in US dollars.

Our Sri Lanka package prices

The figures below are travoHolidays package prices, November 2026. Each is a starting price per person based on two people sharing, covering land arrangements only; the final cost varies by travel date, hotel choice and availability.

Two patterns stand out. First, the step from 3-star to 5-star adds anywhere from about a quarter to more than half to the price, depending on the route, so hotel class is the biggest single lever. Second, extra nights cost relatively little once transfers are in place: the five-night tea-country route starts at the same 3-star price as the four-night Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Bentota trip.

Official fixed costs: the ETA visa

Every foreign visitor needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival. According to Sri Lanka's official ETA portal, as of November 2026:

• From 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries receive a 30-day tourist ETA free of charge. The list includes Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK and the USA.
• Singapore and Seychelles nationals also receive a free 30-day tourist ETA, and Maldivian nationals a free 90-day one, under bilateral agreements.
• For other nationalities, the tourist ETA costs US$20 for South Asian countries and US$50 for all other countries when applied for in advance; the on-arrival rate is US$25 and US$60 respectively.
• Children under 12 of any nationality receive a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days.
• ETA fees are non-refundable, and staying beyond 30 days requires a paid extension through the Department of Immigration's online service.

Entry tickets and park fees

Heritage sites in the Cultural Triangle, including Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, are ticketed by the Central Cultural Fund. Its ticketing page states that foreign-visitor prices are set in US dollars and charged in rupees at the day's exchange rate, and that SAARC citizens receive a 50% discount. Because the rupee amount changes daily, we have not quoted a figure here.

National park entry, such as Yala, is charged per person plus vehicle and service charges set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Safari jeep hire is a separate cost. Your specialist will confirm what is included in your package before you pay.

Cost components at a glance

What drives the price, and how to save

• Season: December to March is peak time on the west and south coasts, and Christmas and New Year carry the highest hotel rates. See our month-by-month Sri Lanka weather guide for shoulder months.
• Hotel class: on most of our routes, moving from 3-star to 4-star adds less than moving from 4-star to 5-star; mixing classes (a boutique stay in the hills, a simpler beach hotel) keeps quality where it matters.
• Trip length: a longer trip spreads fixed transfer costs, so the price per night falls.
• Route: adding the east coast or the north means longer drives, while a tight loop of Kandy, Sigiriya and the south keeps transfer time down.
• Single travellers: all prices assume two sharing; solo travellers pay a supplement.

Money on the ground

The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards are accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants, but carry rupees for tuk-tuks, temple donations and small shops. For more practical tips, read our Sri Lanka travel guide for first-time visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Get an exact quote

Package prices are a starting point. Share your dates, hotel style and must-sees on the Sri Lanka holidays page or ask a specialist to price a custom trip, and we will send a costed itinerary.

Sources

1. Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration — ETA fees
2. Sri Lanka ETA portal — announcements
3. Central Cultural Fund — Heritage site tickets
4. GOV.UK — Sri Lanka travel advice: entry requirements