Sri Lanka: Cost of Living and Estimated Budget for Food, Accommodation, and Transport

Sri LankaTravel PlanningSri Lanka Travel
Views: 0Created At: 9/18/2025Updated At: 11/7/2025
金凤 张
金凤 张
Analyst of Sri Lanka's tourism industry and economic development.

Hello there! Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? That place is absolutely amazing! I'll help you sort out the money matters so you have a clear idea of what to expect. Think of it as an adventure, and let's figure out how much "gold coins" you'll need for your "gear" and "supplies."

First, it's good to know that overall prices in Sri Lanka are generally lower than in first- and second-tier cities in China, but slightly higher than some Southeast Asian countries (like Vietnam or Thailand), especially in tourist-heavy areas. The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). You can roughly remember that 1 Chinese Yuan is approximately equal to 40-45 LKR (exchange rates fluctuate, so check for the most accurate rate before you depart).

Below, I'll break down the costs into three main categories: Food, Accommodation, and Transport, trying to keep it as straightforward as possible.

Food

Eating in Sri Lanka can vary greatly in cost, entirely depending on your choices.

  • Budget-Friendly & Authentic: Head into small local eateries where the locals go and try their "national dish" – Rice and Curry. It usually consists of a large plate of rice accompanied by several small dishes of curry (lentils, vegetables, chicken, or fish). It's filling and delicious, and a meal will only cost you about 10-20 RMB. Street food like Kottu (stir-fried flatbread), fried rice, and Roti are also around the same price. For drinks, local ginger beer (non-alcoholic) and various tropical fruit juices are just a few RMB per glass, refreshing and thirst-quenching.

    • Budget: If you eat like this for every meal, 50 RMB a day for food is definitely enough.

  • Comfortable Tourist Style: Dine at restaurants with a nicer ambiance, specifically catering to tourists. They offer more menu choices, including Western food and seafood, and the environment is cleaner. A main course and a drink will typically cost around 50-100 RMB per person per meal. For example, a dinner at a charming restaurant in the coastal city of Galle would be around this price.

    • Budget: For comfortable dining, a daily food budget of 150-200 RMB is quite comfortable.

  • Luxury Indulgence: Eating at high-end hotels or upscale restaurants in Colombo or Galle. A meal costing 200 RMB or more per person is common. Seafood feasts will be pricier, but compared to China, eating lobster and similar dishes is still quite a good deal.

    • Budget: No upper limit, depends on your mood.

Tip: Bottled water is essential; do not drink tap water. The local Lion beer (LION LAGER) is good and worth trying.

Accommodation

Accommodation also offers a wide range of options, from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts, catering to all budgets.

  • Backpacker/Budget Traveler: A bed in a youth hostel will cost around 50-80 RMB per night. If you prefer a private room, you can find the simplest Guesthouses, which might not have air conditioning but come with a fan, for about 100-180 RMB per night for a single or double room. The conditions are basic but clean and hygienic.

    • Budget: Around 100 RMB per night.

  • Economic Comfort (Most Popular Choice): This is what I recommend most! Choose a Guesthouse or small boutique hotel with air conditioning, a private bathroom, and a pleasant environment. These places are often family-run, the owners are very hospitable, and the breakfasts are usually generous. Prices range from 200-400 RMB per night. Accommodation at this price point offers an excellent experience and great value for money.

    • Budget: Around 300 RMB per night.

  • Luxury Resort Style: Stay in star-rated hotels, beachfront resorts, or uniquely designed boutique hotels. These places offer full amenities, beautiful swimming pools, and excellent service. Prices typically start from 600 RMB, and popular, trendy, or luxury hotels in sought-after areas can easily cost one to two thousand RMB per night.

    • Budget: 800+ RMB per night.

Tip: During peak tourist season (December to March), make sure to book in advance, especially in popular spots like Ella and Mirissa.

Transport

Transportation is a distinctive part of traveling in Sri Lanka, with many diverse options.

  • City Transport - Tuk-tuk: The most convenient short-distance mode of transport. Always negotiate the price before getting in! Alternatively, in larger cities like Colombo and Kandy, use PickMe or Uber to book a ride; prices are fixed, saving you the hassle of haggling. A short ride (2-3 km) after bargaining might cost around 10-15 RMB.

  • Intercity Transport - Train: A must-try experience! Especially the hill country tea plantation train (Kandy to Ella) and the coastal train (Galle to Colombo), which offer breathtaking scenery. Train tickets are incredibly cheap; a second or third-class ticket for the entire journey is only tens of RMB. The downside is that they can be crowded, so for popular routes during peak season, it's best to buy seat tickets a few days in advance at the station.

  • Intercity Transport - Bus: The primary mode of transport for locals, incredibly cheap, but the ride can be wild – no air conditioning, fast driving, and loud music. Suitable for those who enjoy deep cultural immersion and are adventurous.

  • Most Hassle-Free Option - Private Car with Driver: If you're traveling in a group of 2-4 people, I highly recommend hiring a private car with a driver! An English-speaking driver will take you around in an air-conditioned car or van, following your itinerary. This saves you the trouble of finding and waiting for transport, and the driver can also act as a semi-guide. The price is approximately 50-70 USD per day (about 350-500 RMB), which includes fuel, tolls, and the driver's food and accommodation. When split among a few people, it's actually very cost-effective.

Total Budget Estimation

Alright, combining all the information above, let's calculate a total estimate (excluding international flights and visa fees):

  1. Budget Backpacker Style:

    • Stay in hostel dorms/basic guesthouses, eat at local eateries, use public buses and trains.
    • Daily Budget: 200 - 300 RMB

  2. Comfortable Mainstream Style (Recommended):

    • Stay in clean and comfortable boutique guesthouses, combine tourist restaurants with local food, primarily use private car for intercity travel, occasionally experience the train.
    • Daily Budget: 500 - 700 RMB (If two people share accommodation and car costs, this budget allows for a very comfortable trip.)

  3. Luxury Indulgence Style:

    • Stay in star-rated hotels/resorts, dine freely, use private car or premium transport throughout.
    • Daily Budget: 1000 RMB and up

Don't forget these major expenses:

  • Entrance Fees: Tourist attraction tickets in Sri Lanka are not cheap for foreigners and can be a significant expense! For example, Sigiriya Rock Fortress entrance fee is over 30 USD, and tickets for cultural triangle sites like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are also pricey. Please set aside a separate budget for entrance fees (approximately 1000 RMB per person).
  • Visa: You'll need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance, which costs about 35-50 USD.
  • Activities: Such as whale watching tours, national park safaris (jeep tours to see wildlife), etc. These activities also require an additional budget, typically 300-500 RMB per person per activity.

Overall, Sri Lanka is a highly cost-effective travel destination. You can have a fantastic experience without spending a fortune. I hope this estimate helps you, and I wish you a wonderful trip!

Created At: 09-25 15:15:20Updated At: 09-30 07:49:35