Quick answer
A 6-night Sri Lanka trip from India costs from about ₹45,000 per person on a budget, ₹68,000 for 4★ hotels with a private car and driver, and ₹1.6 lakh or more for boutique and luxury stays — including return flights from Delhi or Mumbai, twin sharing. From Chennai, Bengaluru or Kochi, flights are cheaper, so the same trip costs ₹6,000–12,000 less.
Sri Lanka at three budgets
Budget
Starting from
₹45,000
per person, twin sharing
3★ hotels with breakfast, private car and driver shared by four, key entry fees, return flights.
Mid-range
Starting from
₹68,000
per person, twin sharing
4★ hotels with breakfast and dinner, private car and driver shared by two, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Temple of the Tooth and train tickets, return flights.
Luxury
Starting from
₹1,60,000
per person, twin sharing
5★ and boutique hotels, chauffeur-guide, observation-car train seats, a safari, return flights.
Starting prices per person on twin sharing for 6 nights, reflecting typical market rates at the time of review. Peak dates (Diwali, Christmas–New Year, May–June school holidays) cost more. GST and TCS apply as per law on packages.
Where the money goes (mid-range, per person)
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights (Delhi or Mumbai) | ₹18,000–32,000 | From Chennai, Bengaluru or Kochi: ₹10,000–22,000 |
| 4★ hotels, 6 nights, half board | ₹21,000–33,000 | Per person, twin sharing |
| Private car and driver, 7 days | ₹15,000–22,000 | Per person when shared by two; includes fuel and the driver's costs |
| Entry fees | ₹8,000–12,000 | Sigiriya, Dambulla, Temple of the Tooth, plus Polonnaruwa or a safari |
| Train tickets (Nanu Oya–Ella) | ₹300–1,000 | — |
| ETA | ₹0–2,000 | Free for Indians under the 2026 scheme while it runs; check before applying |
| Lunches, snacks and tips | ₹4,000–7,000 | — |
| Travel insurance | ₹500–1,000 | — |
Return flight fares from Indian cities
| From | Typical return economy fare |
|---|---|
| Chennai | ₹10,000–18,000 |
| Bengaluru | ₹13,000–22,000 |
| Kochi | ₹12,000–20,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹18,000–28,000 |
| Delhi | ₹20,000–32,000 |
Booked 4–8 weeks ahead outside peak holidays. Last-minute and festive fares run higher.
How to spend less without ruining the trip
- Fly from Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram if you can — fares are often half those from Delhi.
- Share a car and driver between four people; it is the biggest saving for groups.
- In May–June or September–October, build the trip around the Cultural Triangle, the hills and the east coast, when hotel rates fall.
- Eat rice and curry at local restaurants for lunch — LKR 800–1,500 (₹230–435) for a full vegetarian plate.
- Carry your passport to Cultural Triangle ticket counters and ask whether a SAARC rate applies.
- Book train seats yourself or through your driver rather than paying extra for packaged train experiences.
- Change money at the airport or banks, where rates are fair, rather than at hotels.
How much does a Sri Lanka trip cost from India?
Sri Lanka is one of the best-value international trips from India, especially from the south. Flights are short — about 1 hour 20 minutes from Chennai and three and a half hours from Delhi — and a week of 4★ hotels with a private car and driver costs less than four nights in Singapore. Most Indian families spend ₹60,000–80,000 per person for six nights with flights.
Why the car and driver matter
Sri Lanka's sights are spread out, and public transport is slow with luggage. A private car with driver costs about USD 50–70 (₹4,400–6,200) a day, including fuel and the driver's food and room. Shared between two, that is the second-biggest cost after hotels; shared between four, it becomes very affordable. Drivers often double as informal guides.
Entry fees add up
The Cultural Triangle sites charge foreigners in US dollars: Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa cost about USD 30–36 each, so two adults pay ₹10,000–12,000 for these two alone. SAARC nationals have at times been offered lower rates at some sites, so carry your passport and ask. Temples cost less — LKR 2,000–3,000 (₹580–870) at Kandy and Dambulla. Safaris cost ₹5,000–9,000 per person sharing a jeep.
Daily spending on the ground
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian rice and curry, local restaurant | ₹230–435 (LKR 800–1,500) |
| Dosa or thali at an Indian restaurant | ₹350–870 |
| King coconut | ₹45–90 |
| Tuk-tuk across town | ₹150–435 |
Visa, forex and TCS
Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying. Under a scheme that started on 25 May 2026, tourist ETAs for Indians have been free — confirm the current position in the Sri Lanka visa guide before you apply. UPI works at a growing number of shops, but carry Sri Lankan rupees for small purchases. TCS applies to overseas packages booked in India and is adjustable against your income tax.
Plan with the 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary, the best time to visit Sri Lanka and things to do in Sri Lanka. Our foreign exchange service can arrange currency before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to visit Sri Lanka from India?
How much does a 7-day Sri Lanka package cost from Delhi?
Is Sri Lanka cheaper than Thailand for Indians?
Can I use Indian rupees in Sri Lanka?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
