Sri Lanka
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka · Southern Asia
Weather
Live25°C
Partly cloudy · feels like 28°C
- 73%
- 1 km/h
- AQI 20
- SunThunderstorm22° / 30°
- MonThunderstorm21° / 30°
- TueThunderstorm20° / 29°
- WedThunderstorm20° / 29°
Measured at the country centroid, not a specific city.
Money
LiveSri Lankan rupee (LKR)
- $1 USD
- Rs රු335.3
- €1 EUR
- Rs රු387.1
Reference rates for 2026-08-08. Indicative — not the rate a bureau will give you.
What a trip to Sri Lanka costs
Visas, flights, beds, food and everything in between, priced for your party and your dates. Every line shows its own arithmetic, so you can disagree with the parts you know better than we do.
Your trip
8 days on the ground
Estimated cost
$2,821
$1,410 per person · $176 per person per day
- $100
Visa & entry
$50 × 2 — eTA
- $1,924
Flights
$962 return × 2 · 8,921 km
- $269
Accommodation
$38/night × 7 nights × 1 room · Standard
- $128
Food & drink
$8/person/day × 8 days × 2
- $48
Local transport
$3/person/day × 8 days × 2
- $12
SIM & internet
$6 per person, once × 2
- $96
Attractions
$6/person/day × 8 days × 2
- $35
Travel insurance
$2/person/day × 8 days × 2
- Subtotal
- $2,612
- Miscellaneous (8%)
- $209
- Total
- $2,821
Budget at a glance
Per day
$353
Per person
$1,410
Family of 4
$5,641
7 days
$2,821
14 days
$3,401
30 days
$4,728
The 7, 14 and 30-day figures re-price the whole trip at that length — flights and visas do not repeat, so a month is far from four times a week.
A planning estimate, not a quote — ground costs are modelled from a cost tier for Sri Lanka, not scraped from live inventory. Your settings are saved to this device.
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Sri Lanka set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Dual nationals
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
Visa requirements
To enter Sri Lanka, you need to apply for an ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA) which is a form of visa.
Applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Apply for a Sri Lanka ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA) online. You should do this before travelling. ETAs are issued free of charge and will be valid for 30 days.
If you plan to stay longer, you can apply for an extension online through Sri Lankas official Immigration portal. You do not need a visa if you are transiting through Sri Lanka by air, if the connecting flight is within 24 hours of your arrival. Check with your airlines about transit times.
For more information on Sri Lankan visas, please visit Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Overstaying your visa
If you overstay the period of your ETA (30 days), you risk being subject to immigration procedures that may include temporary detention, a fine, deportation at your own expense, a travel ban or refusal of entry to Sri Lanka in the future.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Sri Lanka, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Sri Lanka guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Sri Lanka. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Taking money into Sri Lanka
Most major banks allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. There are ATMs in major towns and cities, but not all accept international cards.
You cannot transfer money without an exchange control permit issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Source: UK FCDO, published 2026-05-26 under the Open Government Licence.
Getting help
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Emergency services in Sri Lanka
Ambulance: 011 2691111 or 1990
Fire and Rescue: 111
Police: 118/119
Emergency Police Mobile Squad: 011 5717171
Tourist Police: 011 2421052
Contact your travel provider and insurer
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from FCDO
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
- finding English-speaking lawyers or funeral directors in Sri Lanka
- dealing with a death in Sri Lanka
- being arrested or imprisoned in Sri Lanka
- getting help if you’re a victim of crime
- what to do if you’re in hospital
- if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack
Contacting FCDO
Help abroad
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
Help in the UK
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Get travel advice updates
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Risk information for British companies
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Sri Lanka on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.