As a proud member of the oneworld Alliance, SriLankan Airlines presently connects its hub, Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, with various points across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.
08.11.2023 - 14:05 / lonelyplanet.com
Sri Lanka has always been an affordable destination to visit for all kinds of travelers. Even for those with a shoestring budget, the island nation offers travel experiences that don’t break the bank: palm-fringed golden sandy beaches, wildlife adventures, and ancient temples packed with fascinating history. Throw in the island's incredible hospitality, and Sri Lanka is a great place to visit for those on a budget.
With the Sri Lankan tourism industry slowly recovering from the pandemic, there are plenty of cheap hotel deals available as well as beach hamlets offering an up-and-coming digital nomad scene. Although tipping isn't customary, you may wish to do so to help the waiting staff, cleaners, and drivers.
Here are some additional ways to cut your expenses and visit Sri Lanka on a budget.
For the cheapest flights to Sri Lanka book well in advance. Anytime from three months to two weeks ahead of departure should get you cheaper than average fares. Visitors are likely to fly into Bandaranaike International Airport, about 35km (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo, with major operators like Qatar Airways and Emirates running daily flights from North America and Europe. From the UK, SriLankan Airlines offer direct flight from Heathrow Airport. Across Asia and Australia, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines are your best bet for a deal.
The cheapest flights to Sri Lanka are from Indian destinations like Chennai, Bangalore, and New Delhi. If you're looking to get a taste of both India and Sri Lanka, flying in from across the Palk Strait could save you money. It's also worth checking if you can save money by flying via India too, even if only as a transfer destination.
The peak tourist season in Sri Lanka runs from December to April. If you avoid these months, particularly December, January, and April when local New Year and holidays begin, you can save on accommodation. May to September is the northwest monsoon season, but don’t fret: Sri Lanka’s tropical climate means monsoon downpours don't last long.
The monsoon season is also a great time to explore the country’s east coast with sandy beaches, a vibrant surf scene, and abundant wildlife. The period between June and August offers world-class conditions for kitesurfing in Kalpitiya. Things get quiet during the shoulder season in October and November, but you’ll be able to find cheaper accommodation options when the south coast slowly opens up.
Small, air-conditioned buses (like Bus 187) run from just outside the airport to the center of Colombo and cost less than Rs 700. The journey takes about 30 minutes. If you are traveling with a backpack and little luggage, this is a great way to cut costs.
Sri Lanka has clean, comfortable local homestays for
As a proud member of the oneworld Alliance, SriLankan Airlines presently connects its hub, Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, with various points across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.
SITA Secure SD-WAN will enhance connectivity, security, and operational efficiency across Qatar Airways’ international offices and destinations
Here are the best tips for a remarkable Panamanian getaway.
This past June, my wife and I, along with two of our children, flew from our home in India to the eastern United States to see family and visit Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. The trip included three domestic flights over five days on Frontier Airlines: Philadelphia to Orlando, Orlando to Atlanta, and Atlanta back to Philadelphia. The total cost for four people on three flights was an affordable $939.75, including a $99.99 “Discount Den” membership on Frontier. (We also spent $1,269.52 on tickets at Universal.) But our first flight was delayed and eventually canceled, and Frontier’s staff told us the next available flight was three or four days later — too close to our return flight to India. We were given a QR code at the Philadelphia airport to file for a refund, which we did for all three flights. But all we got was an email with a credit worth $339.92 and good for three months, plus four additional messages with a $100 voucher for each of us. Since Frontier does not operate in India, the credit and vouchers are useless. I fought Frontier through my Discover card, but lost. (Meanwhile, Universal reimbursed us in full.) Can you help?
One of the joys of travel is that moment when you come across something unexpected that lingers long in the memory. It could be a little-known church with stunning stained-glass windows, a backstreet cafe that offers toothsome pastries, a country walk that serves up cinematic views, an offgrid campsite that delivers peace and serenity, or a stopover town that you wished you had more time to explore. We’d like to hear about your best travel discovery of 2023 – but please restrict your tips to Europe.
From remote national parks and spectacular hikes to balmy coastal towns and the lively buzz of Nairobi, you'll want to experience all you can on a trip to Kenya.
One British childhood winter experience remains the same, despite all the changes of the past century. It’s the one where you gaze out of the window, mesmerised by the falling snow, and start fantasising about building an igloo or a snow cave, then sleeping in it overnight. A few fortunate kids get to follow that up, but for most the fantasy is quickly quashed. The blizzard stops, the snow melts, you lob some slush at your mates then go inside to watch Ski Sunday.
Whether driven by a desire to reconnect with their heritage or seeking a higher standard of living, Americans continue to look towards Norway to chase the Scandinavian dream.
When I started planning my trip to Luxembourg earlier this year, I had one thing in mind: affordable luxury.
Australia – with its wallpaper-worthy landscapes, vibrant cities, and unique wildlife – is a dream destination for many.
With rugged mountains, untouched beaches and fertile soil that grows coconuts, tea and spices, Sri Lanka offers travelers a wondrous mix of experiences unmatched for an island of its size.
British Colonial, an iconic Nassau hotel steeped in more than 100 years of local history, will reopen this winter, showcasing a highly anticipated redesign inclusive of its guest rooms, public spaces, amenities, and onsite programs. The hotel’s 288 newly redesigned rooms, including 25 signature suites, occupy seven floors of the building and feature luxurious marble bathrooms, 50” flat-screen televisions, and desks designed for corporate and business travellers looking to work remotely with ease. Highlights include the spacious Prime Minister Suite and One-Bedroom Suites with adjoining parlours. Additional options include City View, Garden View, Oceanview and Premium Oceanview rooms - though with 21 different layouts due to the building’s unique design, there are very few rooms alike. Detailed wallpaper designs rotate between tropical palms, opaque garden-scapes and historical renderings. Dark wood cabinetry and bold, geometric tiling that offer a nod to the roaring twenties are softly juxtaposed by tropical prints and deep garden green, ocean blue and coral hues emblematic of The Bahamas’ nature.