Sri Lanka
Tea trains, leopard safaris and beaches — the closest international trip Indians keep overlooking.
A sample 6-day Sri Lanka itinerary
A realistic, low-backtracking route. Generate your own — shaped to your dates, budget and pace — in minutes.
Best time to visit
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so the coast that suits you depends on timing. December–March is best for the south & west coast (the classic Kandy–Ella–Yala–Mirissa–Galle route in this guide). May–September favours the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) instead. Note: Yala National Park's main zone closes annually 1 September–31 October for maintenance — avoid scheduling the safari day in that window.
Visa for Indians
Indian citizens get a free, double-entry tourist ETA for Sri Lanka — apply online before you fly; approval usually arrives within a day or two. It is valid 30 days from your first arrival, and can be extended in Colombo for up to 240 further days if needed. You need a passport valid 6+ months, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation.
Visa rules change — always reconfirm on the official portal before booking. We re-verify these pages regularly (updated August 2026).
Trip cost from India
Sri Lanka is one of the cheapest international trips from India — flights are short, the visa is free, and on-ground costs are low. Below is per-person, per-day excluding international flights.
Ballpark for a 6-day trip: ₹40,000–60,000 per person incl. return flights (comfort).
Veg & Jain food
Very manageable for vegetarians: rice & curry spreads always include several vegetarian curries, dhal is everywhere, and kottu can be made veg. Jain travellers should ask for "no onion, no garlic" (loonu nathuwa) — smaller kitchens can usually adapt. Indian restaurants are common in Colombo and Kandy.
Safety & scams
Sri Lanka is friendly and safe for Indian tourists, including solo travellers and couples. The main risks are opportunistic overcharging and strong currents at a few south-coast beaches.
Sri Lanka FAQs
Not visa-free, but free: Indian passport holders get a free ETA (electronic travel authorisation), applied online before travel, valid 30 days and extendable in-country up to 240 further days.
Six days covers the classic hill-country + safari + south-coast loop without rushing. With 8–9 days you can add Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle.
Usually yes — flights are shorter and cheaper (as little as 1.5 hours from Chennai vs 7+ to Bali), the visa is free, and comfort-tier costs run about the same or less per day.
Yala's main zone (Block 1) closes annually from 1 September to 31 October for maintenance — plan the safari day outside that window, or ask your operator about the alternate zone that sometimes stays open.