17 March 2025 | 12 min
17 March 2025 | 12 min
Sri Lanka has plenty of options like: affordable home-stays, charming guest houses, and hostels, that allow for comfort at a great price. Low-budget travelers find guest houses great since these are family run and offer affordable prices.
These guest houses live up to the expectations and at a modest tariff serve home cooked meals and provide great living quarters for guests, ranging from quiet coastal villages to noise filled cities.
For those who are tighter on budget, hostels would be a great alternative. The visit to Colombo, Kandy and Ella are not complete without staying in hostels. Dormitory style accommodations, with shared facilities, that allow for great social interactions with travelers from all over the world are perfect for backpackers. And for those who prefer hostels but would like a private room, that option is available too in most of the hostels for a little extra price.
Transportation in Sri Lanka is rather affordable, ensuring a worry free experience for those traveling on a budget. The stunning part is that Sri Lanka is so well connected that no matter how out of the way a bus, train, tuk-tuk or shared vehicle seems to be, your wallet does not take a hit. So moving around the country while saving money is a piece of cake.
This is one of the most convenient ways to get around Sri Lanka. They are quite frequent and connect with almost all parts of the island, including villages and towns. There may be some congestion and they are not that comfortable on the whole. For ac or semi luxury services the price is a bit higher for long distances but the comfort level is phenomenal.
The Sri Lankan railway system is economically the cheapest and one of the captains of all breathtaking rides in the world. A few of the routes such as Kandy to Ella or towards Kandy, moves across the beautiful landscapes of tea plantations, mountains and thick forests. The cost of railway tickets is quite low, particularly for second and third classes. First-class tickets are still an exceptionally affordable way to travel, even if they are a little more expensive.
In Sri Lanka, the tuk-tuks have become inseparable from the other modes of transport. They are best suited for short distances or when there is dense traffic within the city. The price is quite low especially if the concessional rates are negotiated ahead of time or a meter rate tuk-tuk is taken. In fact for travelers with limited budgets, tuk-tuks provide an effective and speedy means of getting around the city.
Another reasonably priced option for getting about in Sri Lanka.Particularly in areas such as the hill country or coastal regions it is easy to rent a motorbike. Motorbike rentals are widely available, and the cost includes a day's rental and usually a helmet. This option provides flexibility and the opportunity to discover less-touristy routes at your own pace.
Services like PickMe and Uber are available in larger cities like Colombo and Kandy. They offer cheap, transparently-priced rides. For shorter city hops, this service is extremely handy.
Sri Lanka will provide numerous types of food that is both unique and exceptionally tasty. Taste the local delicacies or order the food of your choice in terms of other cuisine, all without spending a fortune.
To enjoy the Sri Lankan culture while being on a low budget, street foods are the best option. A large number of vendors exhibit numerous inexpensive items. Some of the more popular items include:
Kottu Roti: This is a hearty and filling stir fry dish that contains chunks of flat bread, cut vegetables, meat, and seasoning. They are mostly sold at small stalls or shacks near roadways which makes it affordable for travelers.
Vadai: Vadai is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside in these deep-fried lentil fritters which almost all street corners sell, and are ideal for a snack on the go.
Samosas: These are other different types of tasty and inexpensive snacks that are stuffed with spiced vegetables or meat and sold in street stalls across Sri Lanka.
For travelers in Sri Lanka who want a filling meal without spending too much, local eateries offer a rice and curry spread as a set menu, consisting of different curries, pickles, and occasionally meat or fish. A typical Rice and Curry meal is of high value, delicious and inexpensive, and these restaurants are accessible everywhere across the country. In addition, there are also feasts and on-the-go buffets that allow travelers to sample Sri Lankan cuisine for an affordable price - this means they can experience the local culture without having to break the bank.Costing only between 2 to 3 USD, Rice and Curry restaurants are some of the best options for economically travelers; 500 LKR is relatively very easy on the pocket.
Supermarket stores have ramen noodles which can be convenient and quick food to prepare at the workplace or any residence. Even though they are not anything close to being termed a “full meal”, they can save the day when the clock is ticking or when food is urgently needed.
There are international fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut that can be found in Sri Lanka, a country popular for its loving cuisine.
These restaurants are on the higher end compared to the local food available, but are still cheaper than a number of other restaurants around the world. They are known to have various deals and offers, so make sure to check those before placing an order.
Headed to Sri Lanka and worried that travel and accommodation will set you back? Don’t be because cutting back doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the beautiful regions and culture that Sri Lanka has on offer. A few strategies on how to cut back on the budget are elaborated on further:
Peak tourist months are between December to March. However a good time to visit would be between April to November, during which the rates for hotels and flights are comparatively cheaper along with lesser crowds.
Why seek out resorts and other expensive places to stay in? When you could find a plethora of guest houses, hostels and hotels for a reasonably cheap price. Most guest houses provide breakfast free of charge and even though you may want to extend your stay the prices are mostly negotiable.
If you don't want to spend extra on international roaming charges, just purchase a local sim card. Such telecommunications operators like Dialog, Mobitel and Airtel offer low cost data bundles.
Adhere to these guidelines and plan your trip appropriately in such a way that you are able to view as well as take part in the great sights and experiences that Sri Lanka has to offer without overspending. Sri Lanka will be the ideal destination for even a budget conscious person if he plans, a little bit. You can always contact us at Arabiers for a hassle free travel experience.