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

Kandy travel budget

Kandy: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Kandy

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

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

Cost of living in Kandy compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Kandy in 2025 is 55% 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 Kandy in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Kandy by expense type

Restaurant budget in Kandy

Lunch

$ 2.5/person
($ 1.9 to $ 9.3)

---

89% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 7.9/person
($ 5.5 to $ 38)

---

80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

McDonald's meal

$ 8.1/person
($ 6.3 to $ 12)

---

32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 2.2 for 500ml
($ 1.6 to $ 3.8)

---

66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.9 to $ 4.5)

---

25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Cappuccino

$ 2.6/cup
($ 1.2 to $ 4.5)

---

55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Fizzy drink

$ 0.6/can
($ 0.5 to $ 1.9)

---

77% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8

Water bottle

$ 0.4/bottle
($ 0.2 to $ 0.7)

---

85% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Hotel and accommodation budget in Kandy

1-star hotel

$ 31/night
($ 29 to $ 32)

---

82% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177

2-star hotel

$ 99/night
($ 12 to $ 1205)

---

41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

3-star hotel

$ 106/night
($ 9.4 to $ 1146)

---

57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248

4-star hotel

$ 186/night
($ 20 to $ 675)

---

46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349

5-star hotel

$ 339/night
($ 97 to $ 953)

---

40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 570

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 38/month
($ 17 to $ 71)

---

78% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179

Room with kitchen

$ 144/month
($ 13 to $ 1320)

---

46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 221/month
($ 17 to $ 1442)

---

2% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226

Cottage or guest house

$ 49/month
($ 16 to $ 152)

---

81% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 257

Family room

$ 206/month
($ 15 to $ 1486)

---

6% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Supermarket food budget in Kandy

Milk

$ 1.8/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 2.5)

---

56% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.2

Bread

$ 0.6/500g
($ 0.5 to $ 1.8)

---

85% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 1.3)

---

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

Eggs

$ 2.2/12 eggs
($ 1.5 to $ 2.9)

---

45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1

Chicken

$ 5.3/kg
($ 3.8 to $ 9.7)

---

60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 5.1/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 12)

---

12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8

Tomatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 4.1)

---

76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4

Potatoes

$ 1.2/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2.2)

---

62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 0.6
($ 0.5 to $ 0.8)

---

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

Public and private transport budget in Kandy

Bus ticket

$ 0.2/ticket
($ 0.2 to $ 0.2)

---

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 $ 0.7)

---

80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.5)

---

34% 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 $ 0.7)

---

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

Leisure activity budget in Kandy

Cinema

$ 3.8/ticket
($ 2.9 to $ 7.4)

---

75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 6.3/hr
($ 2.2 to $ 5.5)

---

72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Kandy

Cigarettes

$ 10/pack
($ 7.4 to $ 13)

---

8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 36
($ 12 to $ 86)

---

40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 16
($ 8.6 to $ 49)

---

66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Colombo

$ 1011
(fair price: $ 869)

London → Colombo

$ 1189
(fair price: $ 939)

Sydney → Colombo

$ 891
(fair price: $ 735)

Manchester → Colombo

$ 957
(fair price: $ 811)

Toronto → Colombo

$ 1592
(fair price: $ 1469)

Edinburgh → Colombo

$ 1026
(fair price: $ 869)