TIME SPENT: 10 DAYS

BUDGET SPENT: $1,600/£1200 ALL INCLUDED

TIME OF VISIT: MAY 2025

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Our 10 Days in Sri Lanka – Budget with a Twist

We spent 10 incredible days in Sri Lanka, and while we travelled on a budget, we did it with a few sensible compromises. We kept costs low by staying in cheap guesthouses and eating with the locals (which also gave us some of the most authentic and delicious meals). At the same time, we treated ourselves to a couple of really nice dinners and splurged on two unforgettable safaris.

We didn’t push the budget to the extreme — so instead of cramming into local buses or taking long journeys by tuk tuk, we chose taxis for the longer distances. It was still affordable, but much more comfortable and safe, especially with our limited time.

And honestly, Sri Lanka blew us away. The country is unbelievably diverse — from lush jungles and golden beaches to ancient temples and rolling tea plantations. Add in the warm hospitality of the people, and it quickly became one of those destinations we know we’ll keep recommending to everyone. We still feel you need to go to Sri Lanka prepared, so here are some tips we gathered together. For a detailed budget of what we spent, keep reading or scroll to the end.

Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

When we started organising this trip, the first things we ticked off the list were flights and visas. We booked our flights early, which saved us quite a bit, and then applied for the visa through the official Sri Lankan government website. The process was pretty straightforward and cost £50 per person. Almost straighaway, everything was approved.

We also booked our train tickets on the official Sri Lankan railway website. We only booked the Kandy → Nuwara Eliya and Nuwara Eliya → Ella legs, since those are the most scenic stretches. Booking seats and paying online was fairly easy — you do need to know the train number when booking. We chose trains 1005 and 1015, which are known as the scenic ones (though definitely double-check online before you go). Once booked, we downloaded our tickets and ESTA certificates (sent by email) and printed them out, so everything was ready to go.

We flew into Sri Lanka with AirAsia from Bangkok and honestly, we can’t recommend them enough — cheap tickets, safe airline, and flights right on time.

We landed late in Colombo — or rather Negombo — and booked a cheap hotel near the airport for the night. The next morning, we headed straight to Kandy. For transport, we mostly used Uber, but sometimes asked our guesthouse if they could beat the price. In most cases Uber won, but it’s worth checking. We just used our Uber app from back home, it worked a treat. Our taxi ride to Kandy was beautiful, comfortable, and very scenic, the perfect way to start our Sri Lanka journey.

Kandy

We only had a morning in Kandy, but it really left a mark on us. We strolled along the lake and past the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic), which was alive with people since it was Sunday morning. Families were carrying offerings, vendors were selling flowers and fruits along the street — it was buzzing with life.

Breakfast was at Hela Bojun Hala, a women-run council restaurant. It was clean, packed with locals, and served up such tasty food — we loved both the food and the atmosphere. We also made time to wander through the Municipal Central Market, an exciting place where you can find everything from tea and spices to local produce. We picked up some wonderful spices and teas at very fair prices.

Then it was time for the train to Nuwara Eliya. We decided to break our journey to Ella for two reasons: first, we didn’t fancy sitting for 8 hours straight on a train, and second, we wanted to enjoy the whole journey in daylight. And what a ride it was! The train goes slowly, which means you get to take in the views properly. We traveled second class, which was perfect — cool enough, with open windows for fresh air and uninterrupted scenery. We booked our seats in advance and highly recommend doing the same.

Nuwara Eliya

Arriving in Nuwara Eliya felt like stepping into a different country — the temperature dropped, the mist rolled in, and it was cool and rainy, almost like being back in England. The weather meant no mountain tours for us, but we still enjoyed the town. A highlight was the Edinburgh Tea Train Café, set right on a tea plantation with stunning views. A pot of their fresh plantation tea was not only delicious but also reasonably priced, costing just a couple of pounds. We also loved popping back into Hela Bojun Hala for another great breakfast, sampling local chai tea (don’t miss it — it’s heavenly), and browsing a local fruit and veg market. A place you don’t want to miss is the Post office built in truly English style, we felt we were visiting a building in the Lake District back home. 

Even without hikes, Nuwara Eliya was charming in its own rainy, cozy way. But we are happy to have spent just one night there. From there, we were ready to continue the magical train ride towards Ella.

Nuwara Eliya→ Demodara

Instead of staying in busy Ella, we chose to base ourselves in Demodara, just a short ride away — and it was honestly one of the best decisions of our trip. Demodara gave us a much more local and peaceful vibe, away from the tourist buzz, while still being close enough to explore Ella’s highlights.

Taking the train to Demodara was an experience in itself. This stretch was again very beautiful so we are happy we travelled in daylight and as we went past Ella station this meant we could ride across the Nine Arches Bridge and then we stepped off the train just in time to watch it complete the famous Demodara loop.

Why we chose Demodara over Ella

We stayed in a local guesthouse, the Greenline Homestay, that had excellent review and we were not disappointed. The family who hosted us were so warm and welcoming, and their home-cooked food was some of the best we had in Sri Lanka. Slowing down for a couple of days, eating local meals, and chatting with the family made us feel like we had truly stepped into Sri Lankan daily life. When we were choosing accommodation in Ella, there were so many bad reviews about scams and mould so it was quite stressful, but the guesthouse we chose in the end had only positive reviews and we were really happy during our stay.

The guesthouse owner also helped us organize a half-day private tour, and it turned out to be amazing value at only $15 for the both of us including a tip. Having our own guide meant we could tailor the day to what we wanted, and the guide even suggested a few hidden gems along the way. We visited the Nine Arches Bridge again (this time on foot), which has amazing views and was better than we expected, we then hiked up Little Adam’s Peak for those incredible panoramic views, toured a tea plantation, stopped at a tea shop, and enjoyed a break at a lovely café in Ella town. By early afternoon we were back at our guesthouse, tired but so happy with everything we managed to see.

It was the perfect balance: all the must-see highlights of Ella, but with the peace and charm of staying in Demodara. If you’re looking for something more authentic and relaxed, we couldn’t recommend it more.

Exploring Around Ella

One of our highlights was hiking up Little Adam’s Peak. It’s a beautiful trail — not too hard, not too easy — with only the last stretch being a bit of a challenge. If you take it slow, it’s completely doable, even if you’re not super fit. And the views at the top are absolutely worth it. Standing up there, looking over the hills and valleys, felt magical. Along the way you’ll pass things like the Ella swing, a sky walk, and even a pool club and café, though we skipped those. Even without extras, the hike is unmissable — we’d highly recommend adding it to your Sri Lanka itinerary.

The Nine Arches Bridge was another standout. Seeing it from above and walking across it is special on its own, but our tuk tuk ride from Demodara to the bridge made it even more fun. The track roads were bumpy and scenic, and arriving this way gave the whole experience a touch of adventure.

We also spent a little time in Ella town centre, which had a great vibe. It’s definitely the spot to be if you want easy access to restaurants and nightlife. We stopped at Café Chill, which lived up to its name — relaxed atmosphere and lovely drinks. We also visited a tea shop, where we bought more tea (we couldn’t resist!) and learned about the different varieties and how they’re processed. Handy bonus: Ella also has banks with ATM, which came in useful.

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Yala & Udawalawe Safaris

When we were planning our trip, we couldn’t decide between Yala or Udawalawe for our safari… so we did both! And honestly, we’re so glad we did.

We spent two nights near Yala, which gave us time for a full-day safari, and then moved on to Udawalawe for one night with an afternoon safari. If you’re planning your own trip, our tip would be: try to skip the hottest part of the day, as that’s when the animals disappear into the shade. For Yala, though, because it’s such a huge park, a full day is definitely worth it.

We booked our Yala safari through GetYourGuide, and the whole experience was great. The driver was friendly, the jeep was in good condition, and the included lunch and snacks were simple but tasty (local-style, which we loved). We were picked up around 5 am so we could be at the gates for the 6 am opening. Since we visited in May (low season), the park was blissfully quiet. Many times, we felt like we had it all to ourselves. And the wildlife? Absolutely magical. We spotted leopards, elephants, crocodiles, water buffalos, monkeys, deer, jackals, snakes, eagles, and so many colorful birds. Each stop felt unhurried — we could just sit in the jeep and watch nature unfold. By the time we rolled back in around 6 pm, we were happily exhausted.

Lovely stay in Tissamaharama

We stayed halfway between the park and Tissamaharama, in a small hotel with a pool — cheap (about $40 for two nights) and lovely. There was a convenience store and a couple of simple restaurants nearby where we enjoyed chicken and chips one night and a curry another. The town of Tissamaharama itself was also a nice stop for a hearty local breakfast, and it’s handy if you need basics like a pharmacy, ATMs, or bakeries. We stepped in one of the bakeries that had good reviews on TripAdvisor and had some samosa, various pastries and a lovely chai.

From there, we headed by taxi to Udawalawe for an afternoon safari. The park felt less dramatic than Yala, but the chance to sit quietly and watch herds of elephants feeding was something we’ll never forget. It was calm, peaceful, and really beautiful.

If we had to pick just one? We’d choose a full-day safari at Yala. But doing both gave us a much richer safari experience — and if you have the time, it’s worth it.

🌊 The East Coast

We hit the East Coast of Sri Lanka during what turned out to be the low season, aka monsoon season — not ideal timing, but we made the best of it. We had one and a half days of heavy rain, but the rest of the trip was sunshine, which was just perfect for exploring.

Matara

Our first stop was Matara. We wanted somewhere low-key and not touristy, and Matara definitely delivered. The town has a really local vibe, especially in low season, and we loved wandering through the streets, checking out the quirks of daily life, and visiting beaches that were mostly filled with locals. Polhena Beach was especially lovely on a Sunday afternoon, and we enjoyed two standout meals: Doctor’s House, with its very western vibes, live music, and delicious pizza, and Coco Cafe, where we indulged in a fresh seafood platter. Two days here felt plenty — it was enough to soak up the atmosphere before moving on.

Galle

Next, we took the coastal train to Galle. The scenery along the route is incredible — palm-fringed beaches stretching for miles — though ticketing was a little tricky. We managed seats for our first stretch, but from Hikkaduwa to Colombo we couldn’t find seats and had to sit on the floor. Not ideal and quite bumpy, but honestly, it became part of the adventure! The coastal train is not as slow as the mountain train so sitting on the floor was quite bumpy but we had no other choice and we survived it, but it wasn’t the best.

Galle was a real highlight. The old town is beautiful to wander, full of colonial charm and winding streets, and the fort is absolutely worth a visit. We could have easily spent another day exploring. The old town has beautiful shops where you can pick up souvenirs, jewellery etc. and also beautiful restaurants. It is the only place in Sri Lanka where we felt it was more luxurious so we would recommend staying here for at least a couple of nights.

Hikkaduwa

After Galle, we headed to Hikkaduwa for one night. The town is charming, with lovely beachfront accommodation, and the beach itself is stunning — we were lucky enough to spot a wild turtle swimming nearby! We had dinner at Ocean Drop, a restaurant right on the sea. The combination of amazing food and unbeatable scenery made it a perfect way to end our East Coast leg.

The East Coast might not have been perfect weather-wise, but it was full of charm, local life, and unforgettable moments — from hidden beaches to historic towns and a wild turtle sighting.

Looking back, we’d probably spend 2 nights in Galle and 2 in Hikkaduwa to have more time to soak up each town. Visiting in a better season would also make the beaches even more enjoyable — the East Coast is low-key, but full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

If you’re looking for a bit more luxury, it’s worth spending extra on beachfront accommodation. Waking up to the sound of the waves and having easy access to the sea really adds to that classic beach holiday feel. Even on a budget, though, the East Coast is charming, peaceful, and full of memorable experiences.

Sri Lanka 10-Day Budget (for 2 people)

Category	Cost (£)	Cost ($)
Flights	£400	$490
Visa	£100	$123
Accommodation 10Nights	£140	$172
Taxis	£100	$123
Trains	£15	$18
Gifts (tea, spices)	£25	$31
Tours & Safaris	£230	$280
Food & Drinks	£200	$236
Total	£1,200	$1,473

🌟 Final Thoughts on Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka completely surprised us in the best way. In just 10 days, we experienced so much diversity — from bustling cities and historic temples to misty tea plantations, peaceful villages, stunning beaches, and unforgettable wildlife safaris. The country is naturally breathtaking, with lush hills, golden beaches, and rolling tea fields, and it’s easy to feel completely immersed in the landscapes and local life.

Travelling on a budget with a few sensible compromises worked perfectly for us. Staying in simple guesthouses, eating with locals, and using taxis for longer journeys kept costs low without sacrificing comfort. And splurging on experiences like safaris or special meals felt well worth it — we came home with memories that far outweighed the money spent.

The people of Sri Lanka are friendly and welcoming, and each region has its own unique charm. Whether it was the quiet mornings in Demodara, the buzzing temples of Kandy, or spotting elephants in Yala, we felt lucky to see such a rich variety of experiences in such a short time.

Sri Lanka Budget guide tips

Coming from Southeast Asia, we found that Sri Lanka can be a bit trickier to travel on a budget, and it definitely helps to have a bit of an adventurous spirit. Here’s what we learned first-hand:

Money

• You can pay by card in some places, but there’s usually a 3% charge. Definitely withdraw some cash, cash is king in Sri Lanka.
• The ATMs that don’t charge any fees and that we used with no issues were People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon.
• We did our first withdrawal right at Negombo Airport, just past the money exchange on the left hand side of the arrival hall there are 2 ATMs, and afterwards it was easy to find ATMs in most towns we visited.

Accommodation

• We booked everything via Booking.com but Agoda is also a good option.
• Some places (especially in Ella or Yala) can be tricky — complaints about mould, dirty rooms, scams or owners pressuring for reviews are common.
• Our tip: read the worst reviews first, even if a guesthouse has five stars, and compare across platforms before booking.
• Don’t go too cheap — our budget was quite limited, about $10–$30 per night, and we were happy with around 90% of our stays.

Food

• We didn’t get sick by following simple rules:
  • Stick to vegetarian local dishes, especially from street vendors.
  • Avoid ice and questionable drinks.
  • Avoid overly spicy food if you’re sensitive.
  • Hot tea is always a safer option than juice.
  • Check recent restaurant reviews before eating. Don’t just stop at any restaurant — read reviews first.

Transportation

• Tuk-tuks are cheap and fun — take advantage of them! We booked them locally via our accomodation and also via Uber, which was really easy. Once you use a Tuk-tuk, make sure you get their whtasapp number if you plan to stay in the area.
• Trains are amazing for scenery and experience, but book seats in advance when possible.
• For tricky mountain drives or longer trips, a car or Uber is often more comfortable and safer. We saw a couple of tuk-tuks tilted on their side by the roadside, which was a little reminder that driving in Sri Lanka can be unpredictable.

Other tips:

• Always barter.
• Do your research for guided trips — check prices online and ask your guesthouse if they can match the price and what they offer (what’s included in the price). Also read carefully the reviews as they often mention if the customers were satisfied with the tour booked via the accommodation. We were really satisfied with the tour we booked via Getyourguide.

If you liked this post, you might also want to check out our adventures in Malaysia, Zambia or Thailand.