Budget Tours to Sri Lanka
4.6 stars on(8,985 reviews)- Choose from 29 Sri Lanka tours
- 2,900+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Budget Sri Lanka tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar
- Simply Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Lifetime Adventure
- Sri Lanka's Rich Heritage, Tea Trails, Scenic train, Wildlife & Beaches W/Meals
- "Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
- Sri Lanka Uncovered
- Sri Lanka Express
- Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides
- Explore Sri Lanka with Strangers 12 Days
- 8-Day Wildlife Wonders Of Sri Lanka
- So Heritage
Simply Sri Lanka
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was organized perfectly.”
מירי,, traveled in November
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 $109 Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,240
30% Off- NZ$868You save $372
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
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 $176 Operator Capital Lanka Tours From $2,703
22% Off- NZ$2,108You save $595
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 $322 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $4,027
20% Off- NZ$3,222You save $805
"Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
18 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 $283 Operator Mango Vacations From
20% Off- NZ$3,113
Sri Lanka Uncovered
500 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experience in Sri Lanka would not have been the same without you. You have an infectious smile and bring joy to those all around.”
Lauren, 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 $218 Operator TruTravels From
20% Off- NZ$2,175
Sri Lanka Express
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The whole tour was fantastic. Transparency on Tipping and additional expenses so no surprises.”
Wayne, traveled in November
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 $212 Operator G Adventures From $2,259
25% Off- NZ$1,694You save $565
Sri Lanka: Spice Gardens & Seasides
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I have had nothing, but fantastic trips with GAdventures.”
Merai, traveled in October
Comfortable hotels and guesthouses across Sri Lanka cost around $90 per day. The tour features breakfast at Sthree Craft Shop, traditional village lunch, and guided tours of Sigiriya Rock Fortress and spice gardens, with optional activities from $5-70.
Duration 12 days Destinations Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Hikkaduwa Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $104 Operator G Adventures From $1,659
25% Off- NZ$1,244You save $415
Duration 12 days Destinations Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Mirissa, Colombo Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $188 Operator ASY Tours Sri Lanka From $2,501
10% Off- NZ$2,251You save $250
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 Wilpattu National Park, Trincomalee, Sigiriya, Gal Oya National Park, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Balapitiya, Kosgoda, Negombo Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $492 Operator STM Tours LLC From $4,144
5% Off- NZ$3,937You save $207
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 $355 Operator Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd From
5% Off- NZ$2,843
What people love about Budget Tours in Sri Lanka
Had an amazing trip and was able to see so much in six days with a full itinerary. My guide Nimantha was amazing, as a female solo traveler, he made me feel very safe and we had some good laughs and some karaoke time on our trips. He also went out of his way to give me all the great and special experiences on this trip. Our tour operator BH Lanka Tours was very professional and accommodating to make sure I received the best trip possible with the most positive and enjoyable experiences. Very well planned six full days of sightseeing. The people I interacted with were all extremely friendly and the staff at the hotels were very kind and helpful and provided excellent service.
Sri Lanka Lifetime Adventure
We went out for 2 days to Yala National Park from Colombo to go on a jeep safari in December 2021. Neel, our driver, picked us up on time and took us along the beach route to the South. He showed several places, like the sea turtle hatchery and stopped whereever we wanted to get out for drinks or just enjoy the beach. Our driver was professional from the first moment, opened doors, kept the car clean, organized really everything, so we could enjoy our weekend and feel safe. The car was a spacious Toyota sedan car with more than enough leg space. Planning and communication with Nadeeka from Mango Vacations was easy and on point. Everything was exactly as planned. Nothing to complain. Highly recommendable!
"Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
- Sri Lanka Express
The Sri Lankan Express tour was a great experience. For someone who doesn't tend to join tour groups this one was perfect as it was short- only 8 days but still managed to cover everything I wanted to and more! The accomodation exceeded my expectations in each location and I enjoyed how the tour was broken up into travel days and free days to explore. We had Tiran as our guide and he was wonderful- constantly making sure that everyone was happy, comfortable and looked after. His happy and positive nature couldn't help but smile and have a laugh with him, he definitely contributed to making my experience a positive one!
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."