Prices and Cost of Living in Sri Lanka
Travel Budget Calculator
Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Sri Lanka. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.
Backpacker's budget
Traveling with a backpack
from 21.88 USD to 28.04 USD
Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 25 March 2025.
How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?
Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 6485 LKR (21.88 USD) to 8310 LKR (28.04 USD). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 14614 LKR (49.31 USD) to 20067 LKR (67.71 USD). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.
Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living
The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Sri Lanka. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.
Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.
Cheapest products
Here's how much you will spend in 7 days.
from 43.47 USD to 72.52 USD
Mid-range products
Here's how much you will spend in 7 days.
from 57.19 USD to 103.32 USD
Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 25 March 2025.
How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Sri Lanka?
When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 1840 LKR (6.21 USD) to 3070 LKR (10.36 USD) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 2421 LKR (8.17 USD) to 4374 LKR (14.76 USD) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.
Budget and shopping basket update: 25 March 2025
Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.
Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.
BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).
TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).
FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.
Prices in Sri Lanka
Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Sri Lanka, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country. City: Colombo.
Grocery Store Prices
| Apples (1kg) | 5.81 USD |
| Banana (1kg) | 0.98 USD |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 7.35 USD |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 8.60 USD |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 5.01 USD |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 6.58 USD |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 1.64 USD |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 2.27 USD |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.32 USD |
| Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre | 47.35 USD |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.07 USD |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 0.80 USD |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 9.30 USD |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 1.49 USD |
| Onion (1kg) | 0.90 USD |
| Oranges (1kg) | 4.51 USD |
| Potato (1kg) | 1.30 USD |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 0.81 USD |
| Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre | 32.74 USD |
| Tomato (1kg) | 1.67 USD |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 0.53 USD |
Food and beverage prices in Sri Lanka
Popular food products found on store shelves in Sri Lanka include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 267 LKR (0.9 USD) for a kilo of onions to 2179 LKR (7.35 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 240 LKR (0.81 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 236 LKR (0.8 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 290 LKR (0.98 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 1722 LKR (5.81 USD) per kilo.
Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 158 LKR (0.53 USD). Dairy prices in Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 442 LKR (1.49 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 2756 LKR (9.3 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 1485 LKR (5.01 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 672 LKR (2.27 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 494 LKR (1.67 USD) per kilo.
Restaurant Prices
| Cappuccino (regular) | 1.94 USD |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 0.53 USD |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 1.52 USD |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.36 USD |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 5.40 USD |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 15.18 USD |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 1.77 USD |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 0.25 USD |
What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?
Prices in restaurants in Sri Lanka vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 576 LKR (1.94 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 157 LKR (0.53 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 1600 LKR (5.4 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 4500 LKR (15.18 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 525 LKR (1.77 USD).
Public Transportation Prices
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 5.06 USD |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.15 USD |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 0.61 USD |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 0.34 USD |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 0.34 USD |
How much does transportation cost in Sri Lanka?
The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 45 LKR (0.15 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 1500 LKR (5.06 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 100 LKR (0.34 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 100 LKR (0.34 USD).
Fuel Prices
| Diesel 1L | 1.05 USD |
| Gasoline 1L | 1.29 USD |
Fuel prices in Sri Lanka
Average fuel prices in Sri Lanka are 381 LKR (1.29 USD) per liter of gasoline and 310 LKR (1.05 USD) per liter of diesel.
Entertainment Prices
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 3.37 USD |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 12.55 USD |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 5.06 USD |
Apartment Rental Prices
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 366 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 151 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 694 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 312 USD |
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Sri Lanka?
The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Sri Lanka varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 44818 LKR (151 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 108500 LKR (366 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 576771 LKR (1946 USD) per square meter.
Apartment Buying Prices
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1 946 USD |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 1 426 USD |
Average Salary
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 209 USD |
Hotel Prices in Sri Lanka
A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.
What is the average cost of a hotel room?
Accommodation prices in Sri Lanka vary depending on the city, neighborhood or tourist season. For example, the average price of accommodation in Negombo (December 2024) ranges from 6520 LKR (22 USD) per night in a hostel to about 22497 LKR (76 USD) in a 3-star hotel. The price of a night in a luxury hotel is an expense from 56409 LKR (190 USD) upwards.
• Prices for products and services in Colombo. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 09/2022, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.
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