Budget Tours to Sri Lanka
UNESCO sites dot Sri Lanka, from ancient kingdoms, temples, fortifications. Are you ready to see them, even on a budget? Look forward to elephant encounters at sanctuaries, and cultural tours through centuries. Climb Sigiriya Rock to test your muscles, and visit temples that reveal Buddhism's roots. Sri Lanka's adventures includes ancient kingdoms, colonial history, beaches, tea plantations, and friendly people.
10 best Budget Sri Lanka tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar
- "Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
- Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
- Sri Lanka Uncovered
- Sri Lanka Lifetime Adventure
- Sri Lanka's Rich Heritage, Tea Trails, Scenic train, Wildlife & Beaches W/Meals
- Simply Sri Lanka
- So Heritage
- Sri Lanka Encompassed
- Explore The Top Destination in Sri Lanka With in 8 Days
- Sri Lanka Express
"Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a great experience with them. Reliable and kind, you can always trust them!”
Dario, traveled in July
Luxurious 4-5 star hotels like Cinnamon Lakeside and Amaya Hill cost approx. $190 per day. The price covers all entrance fees to Sigiriya Rock, Yala Safari, and Temple of the Tooth, plus private transport and guided tours.
Duration 11 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Mirissa, GalleSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, German, Italian Price Per Day $155 Operator Mango Vacations From
- US$1,700
Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
2,192 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was perfect with activities and also enough time to relax. I will recommend it to all of my friends.”
Camilla, traveled in October
Modern hotels and luxury camps cost around $120 per day, including 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners. The tour features cooking classes, safaris, and UNESCO site visits.
Duration 12 days Destinations Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, Mirissa, Galle, Colombo Age Range Ages 18-59 Price Per Day $123 Operator One Life Adventures From $1,845
20% Off- US$1,476You save $369
Sri Lanka Uncovered
500 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“His knowledge on Sri Lanka is awe-inspiring and adds so much depth to the tour. V's professionalism is truly commendable.”
Lucy, traveled in August
Boutique hotels and glamping tents cost approx. $140 per day, including most meals. The package features train rides, cooking classes, temple visits and safari drives. Waterfall swims and village dinners are included authentic experiences.
Duration 10 days Destinations Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, Unawatuna Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $98 Operator TruTravels From $1,395
30% Off- US$977You save $419
Sri Lanka Lifetime Adventure
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful picturesque sights, comfortable hotel rooms and a friendly helpful guide whose awesome sense of humor made our holiday even more enjoyable.”
Lorraine, traveled in January
Starting at around $150 per day, you'll visit Sri Lanka's UNESCO-listed Dambulla Golden Cave Temple and the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy while staying in selected 3-star accommodations across Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, and Haputale. Daily breakfasts come included along with free airport transfers and complimentary activities like the Cultural Village Tour with an authentic farmer's house lunch, catamaran safari on Sigiriya Lake, and stops at Nine Arch Bridge and Rawana Waterfall. This tour suits budget-conscious travelers aged 18+ who can add optional activities like the Pidurangala Rock sunrise hike for around $5 and Yala National Park safari for approximately $80, plus scenic train rides through tea plantations without stretching the budget.
Duration 12 days Destinations Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Ella, Yala, Hambantota, Mirissa, HikkaduwaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Price Per Day $105 Operator Capital Lanka Tours From $1,610
22% Off- US$1,256You save $354
Sri Lanka's Rich Heritage, Tea Trails, Scenic train, Wildlife & Beaches W/Meals
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The ever-changing landscape and lovely people made it all an unforgettable trip.”
Pieter, traveled in September
Luxury resorts in Habarana and Beruwala cost approx. $240 per day, including 9 meals and entrance fees to Minneriya Park and Temple of the Tooth. Village experiences and cooking demonstrations are complimentary.
Duration 10 days Destinations Colombo, Habarana, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Beruwala Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $205 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $2,599
21% Off- US$2,053You save $546
Simply Sri Lanka
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was a great action-packed tour with many cultural experiences included.”
Jennifer, traveled in October
A week in Sri Lanka costs around $100 per day, covering 7 nights' accommodation and daily breakfasts. The tour features UNESCO sites like Sigiriya Rock and Temple of the Tooth, with optional activities ranging from $20 elephant safaris to $55 urban food tours in Colombo.
Duration 8 days Destinations Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Unawatuna, Galle, Matara, Colombo Age Range Ages 15+ Price Per Day $84 Operator Intrepid Travel From $795
15% Off- US$676You save $119
The approx. $60 per day package includes 7 nights' accommodation, daily breakfast and dinner, private AC transport, and expert guiding. Take in 8 UNESCO sites including Sigiriya Rock and Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth, while enjoying complimentary water bottles throughout.
Duration 8 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Colombo Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $226 Operator Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd From
15% Off- US$1,810
Sri Lanka Encompassed
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Easy travelling and visit a lot of spots.”
Astrid, traveled in October
Rich cultural immersion costs approx. $160 per day, covering 13 hotel nights, most meals, and entrance fees to sites like Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The price includes local transport, guided tours, and unique stays like the nature resort in Digana.
Duration 14 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Mirissa, Galle Age Range Ages 12+ Price Per Day $129 Operator G Adventures From $2,399
25% Off- US$1,799You save $600
Seven nights across Sri Lanka's top destinations cost around $90 per day. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, daily breakfast and dinner, plus complimentary water bottles and seasonal fruits. Minneriya safari is available as an optional activity.
Duration 8 days Destinations Negombo, Colombo, Pinnawala, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kitulgala, Bentota Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $94 Operator Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd From
25% Off- US$750
Sri Lanka Express
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very knowledgable and made sure we were all happy. Nothing was too much.”
Georgina, traveled in December
A comprehensive tour featuring AMBA Estate and wildlife safaris in Udawalawe National Park costs approx. $180 per day. The package includes 6 breakfasts, entrance fees to Temple of the Tooth, and guided tours of Galle Fort. Ella Rock treks start from just $10.
Duration 8 days Destinations Negombo, Kandy, Ella, Galle, Udawalawe National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Price Per Day $131 Operator G Adventures From $1,399
25% Off- US$1,049You save $350
What people love about Budget Tours in Sri Lanka
- "Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
We were a group 6 people with different abilities and ages. We had a driver and guide who both did an amazing job of assisting and adjusting our trip to accommodate our different needs and abilities. It would be better if the vans were equipped with a microphone so we could have gotten more information about the areas were passing through. There were some last minute changes to the itinerary that were super well communicated by the tour company, but that being said the guide was still receptive when we asked to do something else. We also felt like it would be even better if the days were planned to avoid too much activity in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. Overall we had an amazing trip and are looking forward to coming back one day!
My first adventure with OneLife Tours took me to Sri Lanka, and I'm grateful for the chance to have had such an expert guide in Sameera. Infinitely knowledgeable on local culture, customs, wisdom and history, it was a true pleasure journeying with him and my new travel-family for the last 12 days. Journeying was primarily on a comfortable air-conditioned bus, with amenable hotel stays the whole trip long. Sameera facilitated access to incredible sights, including world heritage and UNESCO listed spaces across the country. It's clear OneLife has worked hard to forge local partnerships with their activity and accomodation providers; many of whom proudly display the OneLife symbol on their doors. It's great to know the money you spend with the team directly invests back to the community you spend in. Some of the activities encouraged you to learn more about local farming practices; be mindful these occur in more tourist-driven environments as opposed to traditional full-scale spaces and come with an 'exit via the gift shop' option (depending on how deep/detailed you'd like to dive in to the experience, and how you feel about impulse buys). The genuine authentic exploration, however, will live in me for years to come and I'm so grateful to the OneLife Team for crafting such an accessible and comprehensive experience in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
- Sri Lanka Uncovered
V was a GREAT tour leader. Always there with a smile on his face. Knew who everyone was straight away without any of us needing to say our names. The amount of Knowledge he had about everything was so so so impressive. He would go out of his way to make sure we experienced everything. Pottery places, palm readers, elephant santuary amongst other things were all things we spoke about as a group and V went and found them all. He really is a great tour leader and Tru are lucky to have him as part of their crew
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to Sri Lanka
What are the best budget-friendly areas to visit in Sri Lanka?
The Cultural Triangle region and hill country areas provide excellent value for budget travelers. In Sigiriya Dambulla and Polonnaruwa you'll find reasonably priced hotels and major cultural sites. Ella and Nuwara Eliya in the hills offer affordable guesthouses and hiking opportunities. Along the southern coast Mirissa and Unawatuna combine budget accommodations with activities like whale watching. Hotels such as Ozo Colombo and Topaz Kandy serve as good starting points for exploring these regions. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Ella was a highlight - great hiking affordable guesthouses and amazing train journey views without breaking the bank."
What is a realistic daily budget for meals not included in the tour?
Expect to spend USD 15-25 per day on meals outside your tour package. A typical rice and curry meal at a local restaurant costs USD 3-5 while mid-range restaurants charge USD 8-12 per meal. Near the Lake Bar Hotel in Kandy numerous restaurants serve authentic Sri Lankan food at reasonable prices. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Food was very affordable - local rice and curry meals were delicious and cost around USD 4 while fancier restaurants in tourist areas were still reasonable at USD 10-15 per meal."
How much should I budget for local transportation costs during free time?
Set aside USD 5-10 daily for getting around. Short tuk-tuk rides within cities cost USD 1-3 and local buses charge less than USD 1. The popular Kandy to Ella train journey runs USD 2-5. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Local transport was very affordable - tuk-tuks in Colombo cost around USD 2-3 and the scenic train journey to Ella was incredibly cheap at USD 5 for first class."
When is the most affordable time to visit Sri Lanka on a budget tour?
Travel during April-June or September-November for the best rates and smaller crowds. Hotels like Beacon Beach in Negombo reduce prices during these shoulder seasons. Prices jump 20-30% during peak season from December to March. As confirmed by a TourRadar traveler: "We went in May and got great deals on hotels plus sites like Sigiriya Rock were less crowded and the weather was still good despite occasional rain."
What type of accommodation can I expect on a budget tour in Sri Lanka?
Budget tours typically cover entrance costs for main attractions including Sigiriya Rock Fortress (USD 30) Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and Dambulla Cave Temples. Optional activities cost extra such as Minneriya National Park safari (USD 40-50) or whale watching in Mirissa (USD 35-45). As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The tour included all major entrance fees which was great for budgeting we only paid extra for optional activities like the whale watching which was totally worth it."
What is the average cost per day for budget tours in Sri Lanka?
Daily tour costs range from USD 58-240 with most quality options falling between USD 120-150. This usually covers accommodation transport and some meals. The Sri Lanka Heritage tour at USD 58 per day includes UNESCO sites and stays at comfortable 3-star properties like Galway Forest Lodge in Nuwara Eliya. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned "The tour was really well organised and packed with lots of activities...and lots of beach time too. Great value for everything included."