Colombo travel budget

Colombo: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Colombo

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Colombo for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 32 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 7.7 per person
  • $ 0.9 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 687* (203854 LKR)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 68 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 19 per person
  • $ 2.7 per person
  • $ 3.9 per person

Total budget:

$ 1653* (491092 LKR)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 119 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 25 per person
  • $ 6 per person
  • $ 7.7 per person

Total budget:

$ 2731* (811496 LKR)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Colombo compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Colombo in 2025 is 50% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Colombo in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-57%-57%-59%-59%-39%-39%-49%-49%-67%-67%-30%-30%Price variation between Colombo and United States (countrywide average) in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-80-60-40-200



Local prices in Colombo by expense type

Restaurant budget in Colombo

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Colombo is 57% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Colombo (compared to United States)2222424213136.66.63.93.915158.48.42.32.3United StatesColomboLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0246810121416182022242628303234363840424446
Lunch
Lunch
$ 3.9/person
($ 1.9 to $ 9.6)

82% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 15/person
($ 9.6 to $ 39)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 8.4/person
($ 7.3 to $ 12)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Local beer
Local beer
$ 2.3 for 500ml
($ 1.5 to $ 3.9)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 4.6)

23% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.9/cup
($ 1.8 to $ 4.6)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.8/can
($ 0.6 to $ 1.9)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.5/bottle
($ 0.4 to $ 0.8)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Hotel and accommodation budget in Colombo

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Colombo is 59% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Colombo (compared to United States)1681682482483493491791792562566161767616216247475050United StatesColombo2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 72/night
($ 42 to $ 257)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 61/night
($ 13 to $ 465)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 76/night
($ 15 to $ 799)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 162/night
($ 30 to $ 517)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 189/night
($ 29 to $ 500)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 569
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 47/month
($ 17 to $ 201)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 110/month
($ 16 to $ 739)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 265
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 129/month
($ 13 to $ 979)

42% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 50/month
($ 18 to $ 230)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256
Family room
Family room
$ 165/month
($ 19 to $ 1119)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Supermarket food budget in Colombo

On average, the price of supermarket food in Colombo is 39% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Colombo (compared to United States)4.14.114145.45.43.23.22.52.5661.31.31.31.3United StatesColomboEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes0123456789101112131415
Milk
Milk
$ 2/litre
($ 1.8 to $ 2.1)

70% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 0.7/500g
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 1.3)

81% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.5/12 eggs
($ 1.5 to $ 3)

38% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 6/kg
($ 3.9 to $ 10.1)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 8.1/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 12)

42% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2.7)

75% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 1.8)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.7
($ 0.4 to $ 0.8)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Colombo

On average, the price of transport in Colombo is 49% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Colombo (compared to United States)2.72.71.91.91181810.20.20.40.41.41.46161United StatesColomboBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075808590
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.2/ticket
($ 0.1 to $ 0.4)

93% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.4/km
($ 0.4 to $ 0.8)

79% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.6)

39% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 0.5
($ 0.4 to $ 0.6)

88% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 61/24hrs
($ 37 to $ 107)

24% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 81

Leisure activity budget in Colombo

On average, budget for leisure activities in Colombo is 67% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 3.9/ticket
($ 3 to $ 6.3)

74% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 9.1/hr
($ 3.9 to $ 14)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Colombo

On average, shopping budget in Colombo is 30% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 11/pack
($ 7.6 to $ 14)

3% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 34
($ 16 to $ 78)

41% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 26
($ 12 to $ 51)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Colombo
Melbourne → Colombo
Melbourne → Colombo
$ 1009
(fair price: $ 867)
London → Colombo
London → Colombo
London → Colombo
$ 1187
(fair price: $ 937)
Sydney → Colombo
Sydney → Colombo
Sydney → Colombo
$ 889
(fair price: $ 733)
Manchester → Colombo
Manchester → Colombo
Manchester → Colombo
$ 955
(fair price: $ 809)
Toronto → Colombo
Toronto → Colombo
Toronto → Colombo
$ 1589
(fair price: $ 1466)
Edinburgh → Colombo
Edinburgh → Colombo
Edinburgh → Colombo
$ 1024
(fair price: $ 867)

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About this information on the cost of living in Colombo

The information about the cost of living in Colombo shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Colombo was updated on 29-03-2025.

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