Travel budget and cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) how much does a trip cost?

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.

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

Cost of living in Colombo compared to United States in 2025

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):

Local prices in Colombo by expense type

Restaurant budget in Colombo

Lunch

$ 3.9/person
($ 1.9 to $ 9.6)

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82% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 15/person
($ 9.6 to $ 39)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

McDonald's meal

$ 8.4/person
($ 7.3 to $ 12)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 2.3 for 500ml
($ 1.5 to $ 3.9)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 4.6)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Cappuccino

$ 2.9/cup
($ 1.8 to $ 4.6)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Fizzy drink

$ 0.8/can
($ 0.6 to $ 1.9)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8

Water bottle

$ 0.5/bottle
($ 0.4 to $ 0.8)

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

Hotel and accommodation budget in Colombo

1-star hotel

$ 72/night
($ 42 to $ 257)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176

2-star hotel

$ 61/night
($ 13 to $ 465)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

3-star hotel

$ 76/night
($ 15 to $ 799)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248

4-star hotel

$ 162/night
($ 30 to $ 517)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349

5-star hotel

$ 189/night
($ 29 to $ 500)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 569

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 47/month
($ 17 to $ 201)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179

Room with kitchen

$ 110/month
($ 16 to $ 739)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 265

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 129/month
($ 13 to $ 979)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226

Cottage or guest house

$ 50/month
($ 18 to $ 230)

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80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256

Family room

$ 165/month
($ 19 to $ 1119)

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

Supermarket food budget in Colombo

Milk

$ 2/litre
($ 1.8 to $ 2.1)

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70% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 0.7/500g
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

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83% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 1.3)

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81% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 2.5/12 eggs
($ 1.5 to $ 3)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1

Chicken

$ 6/kg
($ 3.9 to $ 10.1)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 8.1/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 12)

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42% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8

Tomatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2.7)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4

Potatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 1.8)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 0.7
($ 0.4 to $ 0.8)

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

Public and private transport budget in Colombo

Bus ticket

$ 0.2/ticket
($ 0.1 to $ 0.4)

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93% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.4/km
($ 0.4 to $ 0.8)

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79% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.6)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 0.5
($ 0.4 to $ 0.6)

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88% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Car hire

$ 61/24hrs
($ 37 to $ 107)

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

Leisure activity budget in Colombo

Cinema

$ 3.9/ticket
($ 3 to $ 6.3)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 9.1/hr
($ 3.9 to $ 14)

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

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Colombo

Cigarettes

$ 11/pack
($ 7.6 to $ 14)

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3% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 34
($ 16 to $ 78)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 26
($ 12 to $ 51)

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

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Colombo

$ 1009
(fair price: $ 867)

London → Colombo

$ 1187
(fair price: $ 937)

Sydney → Colombo

$ 889
(fair price: $ 733)

Manchester → Colombo

$ 955
(fair price: $ 809)

Toronto → Colombo

$ 1589
(fair price: $ 1466)

Edinburgh → Colombo

$ 1024
(fair price: $ 867)

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