Sri Lanka Trip Cost from India Under ₹1 Lakh (2026 Full Guide)

A 5 to 7 day Sri Lanka trip from India under ₹1 lakh per person is easily achievable with affordable flights, simple visa process and budget-friendly hotels.

Planning your next international trip and wondering,
“Sri Lanka trip cost from India kitna aayega?”

If your budget is around ₹1,00,000 per person, Sri Lanka is honestly one of the best value-for-money destinations you can pick right now.

Short flights, easy visa (ETA), beautiful beaches, tea-covered hills, scenic trains, safaris, culture… and on-ground costs that are very friendly for Indian travellers.

This guide breaks down realistic Sri Lanka trip costs, city-wise ideas, and sample itineraries, so you can plan with clarity, not guesswork.

Sri Lanka Trip Cost from India (Per Person)

For a 5-7 day Sri Lanka trip from India, here’s a simple overview of costs per person (ex-India):

• Budget trip: ₹35,000-₹55,000
  (Hostels/guesthouses, local buses/trains, mostly local food)
• Comfort trip (3 star hotels): ₹55,000-₹85,000
  (Nice stays, mix of local + restaurant meals, some guided tours)
• Nicer trip but still under ₹1L: ₹85,000-₹1,00,000
  (Better hotels, more tours, maybe a safari or whale-watching)

Typical inclusions:

• Return flights from India to Colombo
• Visa / ETA + travel insurance
• 4-7 nights accommodation
• Local transport (train, bus, tuk-tuk, taxi, private transfers)
• Main sightseeing: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella train, beach towns, optional safari
• Food, basic shopping & a small emergency buffer

If your budget is ₹1,00,000 per person, you can travel comfortably, not just on survival mode.

Want to compare with other countries?
Check: International Trips Cost from India Under ₹1 Lakh

Table of Contents

1. Why Sri Lanka is Perfect for a Under-₹1L Trip
2. Sri Lanka Trip Cost from India – Main Components
3. Flight Cost from India to Sri Lanka
4. Visa / ETA Cost for Indians
5. Hotel, Food & Daily Budget in Sri Lanka
6. 7-Day Sri Lanka Trip Cost Breakdown (Budget vs Comfort)
7. Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka on This Budget
8. Sri Lanka Itinerary Ideas (5, 6 & 7 Days)
9. Hidden Costs Indians Forget
10. Money-Saving Tips to Stay Under ₹1 Lakh
11. FAQ – Sri Lanka Trip Cost from India

Why Sri Lanka is Perfect for a Under-₹1L Trip

Sri Lanka is like a mini combo of multiple destinations:

• A bit of Kerala (backwaters vibe, greenery)
• A bit of Himachal (tea hills, cool weather)
• A bit of Goa (beaches, laid-back towns)
• A bit of Rajasthan (heritage, ancient sites)

All packed into a small island that’s just a few hours away from India.

Why it works so well from India:

• Short flights: approx. 2-4 hours from most metro cities
• Easy to cover in 6-7 days: country is compact
• Budget-friendly: stays, food, transport all reasonably priced
• Lots of variety:
  • Cultural capital Kandy
  • Hill towns like Ella / Nuwara Eliya
  • Rock fortress in Sigiriya
  • Beaches like Mirissa, Unawatuna, Bentota, Galle
  • Wildlife in Yala / Udawalawe

If you’re comparing with other places, Sri Lanka fits beautifully in the same bracket as many international trips under ₹1 lakh from India.

Sri Lanka Trip Cost from India – Main Components

When you plan your budget, split your Sri Lanka trip cost from India into these simple parts:

1. Flights: India → Colombo → India
2. Visa / ETA + travel insurance
3. Accommodation: hostels, guesthouses, homestays, 3 star or boutique hotels
4. Food & drinks: local eateries, bakeries, cafés, restaurants
5. Local transport: trains, buses, tuk-tuks, taxis, private transfers
6. Sightseeing & tours: Sigiriya, safaris, whale watching, cultural shows
7. Shopping & buffer: tea, spices, souvenirs, clothes, small emergencies

Once you know your total budget per person, you decide how much to allocate to each.

Flight Cost from India to Sri Lanka

Most flights from India land at Colombo (CMB).

Prices change with season and how early you book, but for planning in 2026, use this as a guide:

• Good deals / off-peak: ₹12,000-₹18,000 per person (return)
• Regular range: ₹15,000-₹22,000 per person (return)
• Peak season (New Year, Christmas, big holidays, last-minute): ₹22,000-₹30,000+ per person (return)

From Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, flights are often on the lower side.
From Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, expect near the middle of that range.

Budget tip:
If you want your overall trip under ₹1L, try to lock flights as close to ₹15k-₹20k return as possible by:

• Booking 6-8 weeks in advance
• Being flexible on dates by 1-2 days
• Avoiding obvious peak days like 25 Dec to 1 Jan

Visa / ETA Cost for Indians

For Sri Lanka, you don’t usually get visa-on-arrival. Instead, you apply online for an:

ETA – Electronic Travel Authorization

• Done online before your trip
• You fill a short form, pay the ETA fee (if applicable)
• Receive approval by email and carry it with you

Sri Lanka sometimes announces free visa / reduced fee schemes for short periods, but these change over time. So please don’t rely on old information. Always double-check on official Sri Lanka immigration sites or with the Sri Lanka embassy/consulate before you book. Visa rules and fees can change.

How much to budget (safe estimate)

Even with changing policies, keep a safe buffer of:

• ₹2,000-₹4,000 per person for ETA / visa fees + service charges
• ₹1,000-₹2,000 per person for travel insurance

Total: ₹3,000-₹6,000 per person for visa + insurance.

If you land inside a promotional free-visa window, that’s extra savings.

Hotel, Food & Daily Budget in Sri Lanka

This is where Sri Lanka starts feeling very kind to your bank balance.

Stay Cost (Per Room, Per Night)

Approximate 2025–26 ranges:

• Hostels / very basic stays: ₹800-₹1,500
• Budget guesthouses / homestays: ₹1,500-₹2,500
• Good 3 star hotels / nice homestays: ₹2,500-₹4,000
• Boutique / 4 star stays: ₹4,000-₹7,000+

If two people share a room:

• A ₹3,000 per night hotel = ₹1,500 per person per night
• For 6 nights, that’s just ₹9,000 per person on stays—very reasonable.

Food Cost (Per Person)

Expect roughly:

• Local eateries (“hotel” food): ₹150-₹300 per meal
• Normal restaurants / cafés: ₹400-₹800 per meal
• Fancier tourist restaurants: ₹800-₹1,500+ per meal

Daily food budget (per person):

• Budget style: ₹600-₹1,000
• Comfort style: ₹1,000-₹1,800

So over 7 days:

• Budget food total: ₹4,000-₹7,000
• Comfort food total: ₹7,000-₹12,000

Rough Daily Spend on Ground (Per Person)

Including stay + food + local transport:

• Budget traveller: ₹1,800-₹2,800 per day
• Comfort traveller: ₹2,800-₹4,500 per day

For a 7-day trip, on-ground spend will be:

• Budget: ₹12,000-₹20,000
• Comfort: ₹20,000-₹32,000

(Remember: flights, visa and some big tours are separate.)

7-Day Sri Lanka Trip Cost Breakdown

Let’s assume a 6 nights / 7 days Sri Lanka trip.

Budget Trip – ₹35,000-₹55,000 per person

You’re okay with simple stays, public transport and fewer paid tours.

• Flights: ₹12,000-₹18,000
• Visa + insurance: ₹3,000-₹4,000
• Stay (6N hostel/guesthouse): ₹7,000-₹10,000
• Food + local travel: ₹10,000-₹14,000
• Sightseeing tickets (Sigiriya, Temple of Tooth, etc.): ₹4,000-₹7,000
• Shopping & buffer: ₹3,000-₹5,000

Total estimated: ₹35,000-₹55,000 per person

Comfort Trip – ₹55,000-₹85,000 per person

This is the sweet spot for most couples and families.

• Flights: ₹15,000-₹22,000
• Visa + insurance: ₹3,000-₹5,000
• Stay (6N 3 star / nice homestays): ₹14,000-₹22,000
• Food + local transport: ₹14,000-₹20,000
• 3-4 paid experiences: ₹8,000-₹14,000
  • Sigiriya rock fortress
  • Kandy Temple of the Tooth & cultural show
  • Scenic train ride (Kandy–Ella / Nuwara Eliya–Ella)
  • Maybe a safari or whale-watching tour
• Shopping & buffer: ₹6,000-₹10,000

Total estimated: ₹55,000-₹85,000 per person

Nicer Trip – Still Under ₹1 Lakh (₹85,000-₹1,00,000 per person)

Here you upgrade stays, do more tours and use private drivers more often.

• Flights: ₹18,000-₹28,000
• Visa + insurance: ₹3,000-₹5,000
• Stay (6N 3 star+/4 star or boutique hotels): ₹22,000-₹32,000
• Food + transport: ₹18,000-₹24,000
• Extra experiences (more safaris, whale tour, extra activities): ₹12,000-₹20,000
• Shopping & buffer: ₹10,000-₹15,000

Total estimated: ₹85,000-₹1,00,000 per person

Great range for a honeymoon or special occasion trip.

Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka on This Budget

In 5–7 days, you won’t see the entire island, but you can cover a really nice loop.

Colombo – City + Sea Start

• Galle Face Green – seaside promenade, sunset vibes
• Malls & markets for basic shopping
• Good for your first or last night

Sigiriya / Dambulla – Rock & Caves

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress – famous lion-rock climb
• Dambulla Cave Temples – painted caves with Buddha statues

Great way to start the trip if you like history + views.

Kandy – Culture & Lakeside City

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Kandy Lake, viewpoints, cultural dance shows
• Slightly cooler climate than Colombo

Often used as a base before entering the hill country.

Nuwara Eliya / Ella – Tea Country & Scenic Trains

• Tea plantations, waterfalls, misty views
• One of the most scenic train rides in the world
• In Ella: Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, cosy cafés

Perfect area if you like cooler weather and nature.

South Coast – Mirissa, Unawatuna, Bentota, Galle

Some popular choices:

• Mirissa – beach town, whale-watching trips (in season)
• Unawatuna – pretty bay, short hop to Galle Fort
• Bentota – resort feel, river cruises, water sports
• Galle Fort – historic fort city with cafés, narrow streets, sea walls

Pick 1-2 depending on how many days you have.

Yala / Udawalawe – Wildlife

• Yala National Park – known for leopards (though sightings aren’t guaranteed)
• Udawalawe National Park – famous for elephants

If you add one safari, this makes your Sri Lanka trip feel very different from a standard beach holiday.

Sri Lanka Itinerary Ideas (5, 6 & 7 Days)

Use these as plug-and-play structures. You can tweak nights or swap beach towns based on your taste.

5 Days / 4 Nights – Quick Sri Lanka Getaway

Route: Colombo → Kandy → Bentota → Colombo

Day 1 – Arrive Colombo

• Check in, visit Galle Face Green in the evening
• Night in Colombo

Day 2 – Colombo → Kandy

• Drive or train to Kandy
• Temple of the Tooth, lake walk, optional cultural show
• Night in Kandy

Day 3 – Kandy → Bentota

• Optional tea factory stop
• Reach Bentota, relax at the beach
• Night in Bentota

Day 4 – Bentota

• Free day for beach, optional water sports or river cruise
• Night in Bentota

Day 5 – Bentota → Colombo → Fly Back

• Drive to Colombo, quick shopping
• Airport and return flight

6 Days / 5 Nights – Culture + Hills + Beach

Route: Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella → Mirissa/Unawatuna/Galle → Colombo

Day 1 – Colombo → Sigiriya/Dambulla

• Land and drive straight to Sigiriya region
• Evening rest or Dambulla cave temple

Day 2 – Sigiriya → Kandy

• Morning climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Drive to Kandy, evening at Temple of the Tooth & lake
• Night in Kandy

Day 3 – Kandy → Ella (Scenic Train)

• Short city time in the morning
• Take the famous train towards Ella
• Night in Ella

Day 4 – Ella

• Visit Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge, cafés
• Night in Ella

Day 5 – Ella → South Coast

• Drive down to Mirissa / Unawatuna / Galle
• Beach sunset
• Night at the beach

Day 6 – Beach → Colombo → Fly Back

• Chill morning at the beach, optional Galle Fort stop
• Drive to Colombo airport and fly home

7 Days / 6 Nights – Full Flavour Sri Lanka

Route: Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella → Yala/Udawalawe → Mirissa/Galle → Colombo

Day 1 – Arrive Colombo

• City glimpses, Galle Face Green in the evening
• Night in Colombo

Day 2 – Colombo → Sigiriya

• Drive to Sigiriya
• Evening free / nearby viewpoint
• Night in Sigiriya/Dambulla

Day 3 – Sigiriya → Kandy

• Early morning Sigiriya climb
• Head to Kandy, Temple of the Tooth & cultural show
• Night in Kandy

Day 4 – Kandy → Ella (Train)

• Scenic train journey into hill country
• Night in Ella

Day 5 – Ella → Yala/Udawalawe

• Morning in Ella
• Drive to Yala or Udawalawe
• Evening safari (or early morning next day)

Day 6 – Safari → Beach

• If safari is in the morning, start your day there
• Then transfer to Mirissa / Unawatuna / Galle
• Beach evening and night

Day 7 – Beach → Colombo → Fly Back

• Brunch, last-minute souvenirs
• Drive to Colombo and return flight

With smart choices on hotels, tours and flights, this whole loop can fit well within ₹1 lakh per person.

Hidden Costs Indians Forget

While planning your Sri Lanka trip budget, don’t ignore:

• Airport transfers on both ends
• Extra taxis when you’re tired of public transport
• Safari costs (jeep + entry + guide)
• Temple / monument entry fees
• Local SIM card / data pack / roaming
• Forex / ATM charges
• Tips, donations, and small extras

As a rule, add 10-15% extra buffer to whatever number you calculate. That way, you’re not stressed on-ground.

Money-Saving Tips to Stay Under ₹1 Lakh

A few small decisions can save you ₹10k-₹20k per person easily:

1. Avoid peak dates
   Don’t travel in the last week of December or around big holidays if budget matters.
2. Use trains and buses more
   Especially for routes like Kandy–Ella. They’re cheap and iconic.
3. Mix your stays
   • 1-2 nights in a beautiful boutique hotel
   • Rest in clean, well-reviewed guesthouses or homestays
4. Choose 3-4 “hero experiences”
   For example:
   • Sigiriya
   • 1 safari
   • Scenic train
   • 1 whale-watching trip
     Let the rest of the days be free exploring.
5. Eat local more often
   You don’t need a fancy restaurant every meal. Local eateries are tasty and light on the pocket.
6. Decide a shopping limit
   Fix a number, say ₹5,000–₹10,000 per person, and stay within it.

Want to see how Bali compares with other destinations under ₹1L?
Read: International Trips Cost from India Under ₹1 Lakh

FAQ – Sri Lanka Trip Cost from India

1. Is ₹1 lakh enough for a Sri Lanka trip from India?

Yes.
With ₹1,00,000 per person, you can comfortably cover:

• Flights
• Visa / ETA + insurance
• 6–7 nights in good mid-range hotels
• Main sightseeing (Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, beach town)
• 1 safari or whale-watching tour
• Food, local transport, and some shopping

Even ₹55k-₹85k per person is enough for a very good comfort-level itinerary.

2. Can I do a Sri Lanka trip under ₹50,000?

It’s possible if you:

• Lock flights around ₹15k or less
• Keep trip length to 5-6 days
• Stay in hostels / budget guesthouses
• Use buses and trains
• Limit expensive activities like multiple safaris or whale trips

You’ll need to be disciplined, but it can be done.

3. Is Sri Lanka cheaper than Thailand or Bali?

For most travellers:

• Daily costs (stay, food, local transport) in Sri Lanka are often similar to or lower than Thailand and usually cheaper than Bali.
• Flights are also often cheaper because it’s closer to India.

So in terms of value for money, Sri Lanka competes very strongly.

4. Do Indians get visa-free entry to Sri Lanka?

Most of the time, Indians need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for short visits.

Sometimes the government announces fee-waiver or reduced-fee schemes, but:

• The ETA process still exists
• The conditions and dates keep changing

Always check the official Sri Lanka ETA website just before booking.

Check: Visa-Free Countries for Indian

5. Is Sri Lanka safe for Indian tourists?

Overall, yes.

Common tourist routes, Colombo, Kandy, Sigiriya, Ella, Mirissa, Unawatuna, Galle, Bentota, are well-touristed and generally safe, including for solo and female travellers, if you follow normal precautions:

• Keep valuables safe
• Use trusted taxis/drivers or known ride apps where available
• Avoid very isolated areas late at night
• Dress and behave respectfully at religious sites

6. What’s the best time to visit Sri Lanka on a budget?

There’s no single perfect month because the island has different weather zones, but:

• Avoid Christmas–New Year and big holiday peaks
• Look for shoulder seasons when flights and hotels are cheaper
• Use flexible date search on flight sites to spot cheaper weeks

If you’re flexible on month and not chasing a particular festival, you can almost always find a sweet spot where both weather and prices are decent.

If you’re ready to go from “research mode” to “real plan”, decide:

• Your budget per person (₹50k / ₹75k / ₹1L)
• Number of days (5 / 6 / 7)
• Your vibe – more hills, more beach, more wildlife, or a mix

Then map one of the itineraries above to your dates, or reach out to a travel planner to turn this cost guide into a custom Sri Lanka itinerary that fits your budget and travel style.