Sri Lanka Frontier
The Lion Rock of Sigiriya rising from the plains

Sri Lanka Frontier · Plan your trip

Plan your trip

The practical groundwork for a smooth Sri Lanka trip, when to go and what the weather does, visas and safety, how to get there and around, and what it all costs.

ETA
online visa required
LKR
the Sri Lankan rupee
Dec–Mar
peak, west & south
UTC+5:30
one time zone, no DST

Sri Lanka is a straightforward, great-value country to travel once a few basics are in place. These short reads walk through the decisions that matter before you book, timing, entry, staying safe, moving between cities, and setting a realistic budget.

The Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka When to visit Sri Lanka, explained by its two monsoons: the west, south and hills shine from December to March, while the east coast comes into its own from May to September. Sri Lanka Weather: Climate by Zone and Month How Sri Lanka's weather really works: hot, humid coasts around 27-32C year-round, cool highlands, and two monsoons that keep one coast dry while the other is wet. Do You Need a Visa for Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka visa guide: how the online ETA works, the free 30-day tourist scheme for 40 nationalities, fees for everyone else, passport rules and extensions. Getting to Sri Lanka How to get to Sri Lanka: Colombo's Bandaranaike (CMB) airport is the main gateway near Negombo, plus airlines, flight times from London, the quieter Mattala airport and airport-to-city transfers. Getting Around Sri Lanka How to travel around Sri Lanka: the famous scenic trains and how to book reserved seats, tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps, cheap buses, hiring a car with a driver, and the Southern Expressway. Is Sri Lanka Safe? Is Sri Lanka safe for travellers? Yes. It is warm, friendly and low on violent crime. The real risks are touts, tuk-tuk scams, strong sea currents and dengue, not danger. Sri Lanka Travel Budget How much a trip to Sri Lanka costs: realistic daily budgets for backpackers, mid-range and comfortable travellers in rupees and dollars, plus sample prices for meals, trains, tuk-tuks, drivers and the big-ticket national-park fees.