Indian passport holders can visit Sri Lanka with a free 30-day tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which you still have to apply for online at eta.gov.lk before you fly. Direct flights connect Colombo with at least nine Indian cities, UPI now works at many Sri Lankan shops and hotels, and a mid-range trip costs roughly ₹6,000–10,000 per person per day before flights.
Updated November 2026. Visa rules were checked on the official Sri Lankan immigration pages, and flight, payment and fee details against 2026 sources, in November 2026. Rupee conversions use about 1 INR = 3.52 LKR (6 November 2026) and Rs. 333 to US$1. Prices and schedules change, so check before you book.
You'll be in good company. India was Sri Lanka's biggest source of visitors in the first half of 2026, with 293,683 arrivals, about a quarter of the total (SLTDA figures via India Outbound).
Sri Lanka for Indians at a glance
| Question | Answer (November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Visa | Free 30-day tourist ETA since 25 May 2026, double entry. Apply online first. |
| Where to apply | eta.gov.lk only (official site) |
| Passport | Valid at least 6 months from arrival |
| Direct flights | SriLankan Airlines from 9 Indian cities; IndiGo from 5; IndiGo also flies Chennai and Tiruchirappalli to Jaffna |
| Paying | Sri Lankan rupees (LKR); UPI works at LankaQR merchants |
| Exchange rate | About ₹1 = Rs. 3.52 (6 November 2026) |
| Mid-range daily budget | About ₹6,000–10,000 per person, excluding flights |
| SAARC discounts | Lower foreign fees at some sites, e.g. Sigiriya US$20 instead of US$35 |
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes, but it's free. Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries, India among them, can get a tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days, with double entry. The official notice also says that all foreign nationals must get an ETA before arriving (eta.gov.lk).
What that means in practice:
- Free is not automatic. You fill in the online form and wait for approval, even though there's no fee.
- Use only eta.gov.lk. Look-alike sites charge a "processing" fee for something that is free for Indians.
- 30 days start on arrival. Double entry means you can pop over to the Maldives and come back, but you only get the days left from the original 30.
- Staying longer costs money. Extensions are possible from inside Sri Lanka, but you pay the normal extension fee.
- Carry your travel documents. IndiGo's Sri Lanka visa page advises carrying a return or onward ticket, a hotel booking and proof of funds, as passengers without an onward ticket can be refused entry.
How long will the free ETA last? The official notice and the ETA site give a start date but no end date. Some reports at launch described a one-year scheme with a review after six months. If you're travelling from late November 2026 onwards, check the fee page on eta.gov.lk when you apply. If the waiver ever ends, the official fee table lists a lower South Asia rate (US$20 online) for nationals who pay.
Our Sri Lanka ETA guide walks through the form step by step, with extension rules and common mistakes.
Flights from India to Sri Lanka
Most flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo. In 2026 the two biggest operators on the route are SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo.
| Airline | Indian cities with direct Colombo flights |
|---|---|
| SriLankan Airlines | New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Madurai, Hyderabad, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram (about 90 weekly flights, February 2026) |
| IndiGo | Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi (over 55 weekly flights; Delhi added 29 March 2026) |
| IndiGo to Jaffna | Chennai and Tiruchirappalli (10 weekly flights) |
Sources: Free Press Journal, February 2026; Daily FT, March 2026. SriLankan Airlines said it planned to reach 100 weekly India flights by the end of 2026, so check its site for any new cities.
A few tips for booking:
- South India is closest. If you live in the north, compare a direct Delhi or Mumbai flight with a cheap domestic flight to Chennai, Bengaluru or Kochi plus a short hop across.
- Consider flying into Jaffna if you mainly want to see the Tamil north, its temples and islands. See our guide to northern Sri Lanka.
- Fares change daily. We haven't quoted ticket prices because they swing with season and demand. Book early if you're travelling over Indian holidays.
Is there a ferry from India to Sri Lanka?
There is a passenger ferry between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai near Jaffna, run by IndSri Ferry Service on the vessel Sivagangai. When it relaunched in August 2024, reported fares were ₹5,000 in general class and ₹7,500 in premium, for a crossing of about three and a half hours (DT Next). The service has been suspended in poor weather before, and we couldn't confirm the current timetable, so check sailindsri.com before you plan around it.
Money: rupees, UPI and cards
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). In November 2026, ₹1 was worth about Rs. 3.52, so a Rs. 1,000 note is roughly ₹285. A quick rule of thumb: divide Sri Lankan prices by 3.5 to get Indian rupees.
UPI works in Sri Lanka. NPCI International has linked UPI to Sri Lanka's LankaQR network, so you can scan a LankaQR code and pay straight from your Indian bank account. The exchange rate is shown at the time of payment. Merchants named in March 2026 include Cinnamon Hotels, Taj Hotels, Keells supermarkets, Odel and Barista (Outlook Money).
- Turn on UPI International (sometimes called UPI Global) for your bank account in your UPI app before you travel.
- PickMe rides accept UPI. In August 2026, NIPL announced a 20% discount on PickMe rides paid by UPI, capped at Rs. 750 per ride. Offers like this change, so check in the app.
- Still carry some Sri Lankan rupees. Street tuk-tuks, buses, small eateries and temple donations are mostly cash.
How much does Sri Lanka cost for Indians?
Here are our 2026 daily budgets from the Sri Lanka trip cost guide, converted to Indian rupees. They're per person, assume two people sharing a room, and exclude flights.
| Travel style | Sri Lankan rupees | Indian rupees (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | Rs. 8,000–15,000 | ₹2,300–4,300 |
| Mid-range | Rs. 21,000–36,000 | ₹6,000–10,200 |
| Comfort and luxury | Rs. 54,000+ | ₹15,300+ |
Some typical prices in November 2026, from the same guide:
| Item | Sri Lankan rupees | Indian rupees (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice and curry at a local place | Rs. 500–1,700 | ₹140–480 |
| Café meal in a tourist area | Rs. 1,200–4,000 | ₹340–1,140 |
| Car with driver, per day | Rs. 18,000–33,000 | ₹5,100–9,400 |
| Nanu Oya to Ella train, third class | About Rs. 220 | About ₹60 |
Compared with a holiday in India, food and public transport feel similar or cheaper. The costs that surprise Indian visitors are usually the foreign entry fees at heritage sites and the price of a private driver.
SAARC rates at sights and parks
India is a SAARC country, and some Sri Lankan sites charge SAARC visitors less than other foreigners. Bring your passport to the ticket counter. Current examples from the 2026 entrance fee list (checked against the Central Cultural Fund in March 2026):
| Sight | SAARC adult | Other foreign adult |
|---|---|---|
| Sigiriya Rock | US$20 (about ₹1,900) | US$35 |
| Temple of the Tooth, Kandy | Rs. 1,500 (about ₹430) | Rs. 2,000 |
| Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura | No SAARC rate listed | US$30 |
| Dambulla Cave Temple | No SAARC rate listed | Rs. 3,000 |
Fees listed in dollars are paid in Sri Lankan rupees at the gate. Discounts apply only at some sites, so check the signs at the counter on the day.
Getting around
Sri Lanka is small, but roads are slow. Most short-trip visitors hire a car with a driver, and use trains, buses and tuk-tuks for shorter hops. The PickMe app shows tuk-tuk and taxi fares upfront and accepts UPI.
Rail closure note (November 2026). After Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025, the hill country line is open only between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla. Trains between Colombo, Kandy and Nanu Oya are suspended, so you'll need a road transfer for that part of the trip. Our Kandy to Ella train guide has the latest status and workarounds. The coastal line from Colombo to Galle is running normally.
How long to stay, and where to go
Because flights are short, Sri Lanka works well for a long weekend from South India. A free ETA covers up to 30 days.
- 4–5 days: Pick one region. Kandy and the hill country, or the south coast beaches around Galle, are easy from Colombo.
- A week: Our 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary covers Kandy, tea country, Ella, a safari and the south coast.
- Two weeks: Add the ancient cities and more beach time with our 14-day itinerary.
- Temples and Tamil culture: Fly into Jaffna for the north's Hindu temples, food and islands.
Timing matters too, because Sri Lanka has two monsoons that hit different coasts. The south and west are best from December to March, and the east coast from May to September. See our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sri Lanka visa-free for Indians in 2026?
Not quite. The tourist ETA is free for Indians for 30 days, but you must still apply online at eta.gov.lk before you travel.
Can I use UPI in Sri Lanka?
Yes, at merchants that display LankaQR, including many hotels, supermarkets and cafés, and for PickMe rides. Enable UPI International in your app first, and carry some rupee cash for small purchases.
Which Indian cities have direct flights to Colombo?
In 2026, SriLankan Airlines flies from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Madurai, Hyderabad, Tiruchirappalli and Thiruvananthapuram. IndiGo flies from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi.
Do Indians get discounts on entry tickets?
At some sites. SAARC nationals pay US$20 at Sigiriya instead of US$35 and Rs. 1,500 at the Temple of the Tooth instead of Rs. 2,000. Show your passport at the counter.
How much money should I take for a week?
Roughly ₹42,000–71,000 per person for a mid-range week, excluding flights, based on our daily budgets. A private driver, safaris and the big heritage sites push it towards the top of that range.
