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
- Best Touch Of Sri Lanka
- "Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
- Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
- Sri Lanka Uncovered
- Simply Sri Lanka (8 destinations)
- Sri Lanka Lifetime Adventure
- Sri Lanka's Rich Heritage, Tea Trails, Scenic train, Wildlife & Beaches W/Meals
- 8-Day Wildlife Wonders Of Sri Lanka
- Explore The Top Destination in Sri Lanka With in 8 Days
- So Heritage
Best Touch Of Sri Lanka
52 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We experienced the beauty and feel of this country through exploring wild life, nightlife, fine dinning.”
Andrea, traveled in August
Premium accommodations at Swiss Residence Kandy and Lily's Resort Habarana cost approx. $110 per day. The package includes daily breakfast, 3 dinners, cultural shows, and village tours near Dambulla. Additional activities like Yala safari ($70) and Sigiriya entrance ($30) are available.
Duration 10 days Destinations Negombo, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, BentotaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Spanish Price Per Day $125 Operator Capital Lanka Tours From $1,670
25% Off- US$1,253You save $418
"Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We could not be happier! We had the best time. Thank you so much for everything Ayya, we miss you already.”
Pietro, traveled in May
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
25% Off- US$1,700
Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
2,191 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We really felt like we saw the whole country and all of the amazing things Sri Lanka has to offer.”
Emer, 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“All of the hotels were amazing and the itinerary was great as well. The tour was the perfect mixture of culture, nature and relaxation.”
Imogen, 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
Simply Sri Lanka (8 destinations)
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good itinerary, great places to visit, good food.”
Jason, traveled in September
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 $95 Operator Intrepid Travel From $840
10% Off- US$756You save $84
Sri Lanka Lifetime Adventure
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The people I interacted with were all extremely friendly and the staff at the hotels were very kind and helpful.”
Ana, traveled in February
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
At $271 per day, experience luxury lodging at Leopard Trails Cloud and Uga Jungle Beach. Price includes half-board meals, private transport, and entrance fees to all parks including Wilpattu and Minneriya. Complimentary airport transfers and English-speaking guide services included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Trincomalee, Sigiriya, Gal Oya National Park, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Balapitiya, Kosgoda Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $212 Operator STM Tours LLC From $2,615
35% Off- US$1,700You save $915
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
35% Off- US$750
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
35% Off- US$1,810
What people love about Budget Tours in Sri Lanka
It was very good and highly recommended
Best Touch Of Sri Lanka
- "Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
Best way to see Sri Lanka! We saw so many places and had the best tour guide. Driving on our own would have been stressful. Our driver did a great job and we felt very safe in traffic. Tour guide was so accommodating if we wanted to stop somewhere or change our daily schedule! Highly recommend!
The tour was fantastic! We experienced so much during our 12-day journey through Sri Lanka. The country is absolutely beautiful, and the guides were amazing. They created a perfect balance between exciting activities and free time to relax. Everything was well organized, and our bus took us comfortably to every destination and was always ready when we were done exploring. The local guides shared fascinating insights about the country, its culture, and its people, and they were always happy to help whenever we had questions. It was my first group travel experience — and I loved it!
Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
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."