Budget Tours to Sri Lanka
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10 best Budget Sri Lanka tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar
- Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
- Simply Sri Lanka
- "Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
- Sri Lanka's Rich Heritage, Tea Trails, Scenic train, Wildlife & Beaches W/Meals
- Sri Lanka Uncovered
- Sri Lanka Lifetime Adventure
- 8-Day Wildlife Wonders Of Sri Lanka
- 06 Days of Budget Friendly Sri Lanka
- Sri Lankan North East Adventure W/Trincomalee Beach break
- Serenity and Adventure - A 16 -Day Odyssey Through Sri Lanka's Wonders
Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
2,183 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing tour with amazing sights! Lots to do and see.”
Jessica, 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 $222 Operator One Life Adventures From $2,960
10% Off- NZ$2,664You save $296
Simply Sri Lanka
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was organized well. We saw a lot in a short time.”
Zsuzsa, traveled in December
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 $128 Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,280
20% Off- NZ$1,024You save $256
"Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We've had a super fun journey throughout our tour in Sri Lanka and Thili was very knowledgeable about the places to see and visit which was super helpful.”
Hanna, 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 $293 Operator Mango Vacations From
20% Off- NZ$3,220
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 $418 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From
20% Off- NZ$4,176
Sri Lanka Uncovered
500 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Thank you V. Sharing his wealth of knowledge on all things Sri Lanka.”
Joanne, 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 $228 Operator TruTravels From
20% Off- NZ$2,277
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
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 $182 Operator Capital Lanka Tours From $2,802
22% Off- NZ$2,186You save $617
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 $492 Operator STM Tours LLC From $4,235
7% Off- NZ$3,938You save $296
Three-star hotels with breakfast and dinner cost approx. $70 per day. The tour includes visits to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, UNESCO sites, and complimentary water bottles and seasonal fruits. Yala National Park safaris are available as optional activities.
Duration 6 days Destinations Negombo, Pinnawala, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Tissamaharama, Yala National Park, Galle, Colombo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Price Per Day $152 Operator Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd From
7% Off- NZ$914
Four-star hotels in Colombo and Trincomalee cost approx. $210 per day. The package includes 9 dinners, all transfers, Wilpattu safari, and UNESCO site entries. Pigeon Island visits are available as optional activities.
Duration 10 days Destinations Colombo, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Negombo Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $365 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From
7% Off- NZ$3,653
Luxurious 4-5 star accommodations, including stays at Mahoora Camp and beachfront resorts in Weligama, cost around $200 per day. The package includes breakfast, dinner, private transport, and a multilingual guide.
Duration 16 days Destinations Negombo, Chilaw, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Peradeniya, MahiyanganayaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Price Per Day $397 Operator Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd From
7% Off- NZ$6,353
What people love about Budget Tours in Sri Lanka
We spent 11 days with the wonderful Hasanka as our driver. We had such a fabulous time. He always drove safely and made sure we were looked after and happy. He made sure we got to do everything on our personal itinerary, even if this meant travelling out of the way. He gave suggestions and recommendations but was never pushy or made us feel pressured to do anything we didn't want to. We loved everywhere we went in addition to our planned spots. He was always happy to come with us/guide us on tricky hill climbs if we needed and showed us how to get to places. He is very knowledgeable so could tell us more about the history/culture and was always happy to answer our questions. He's lovely to chat to and a really relaxed and lovely man. Thank you so much, Hasanka! We would highly recommend Mango Vacations. The communication from the company before and during the trip was great. We look forward to using them again!
"Serenade of Sri Lanka: Nature, Culture, and Wildlife Odyssey" All inclusive
- Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
It was an amazing journey. The guide was incredible. It was definitely worth it.
Sri Lanka had been on my list to do for so long but was too nervous to go alone. Going with TruTravels meant I didn't have to think or plan and I learnt so much about a truly beautiful Country! I was a little worried about the Sigiriya rock hike but it actually turned out to be my favourite day and the safari getting up close and personal with elephants was such an amazing experience ❤ I can't recommend TruTravels or Sri Lanka tour enough! Dean was our guide and he had SOOO much energy and made all activities so much fun! He's an absolutely legend
Sri Lanka Uncovered
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."