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Destination spotlight · Sri Lanka

Colombo Tour Packages

Colombo is Sri Lanka's commercial capital, a coastal city of colonial buildings, temples, seaside promenades and good shopping. Most trips start or end here, and it is only about an hour and a quarter by air from Chennai.

Colombo at a glance

  • LocationSri Lanka, South Asia
  • Time zoneSame as India
  • Driving sideLeft
  • Calling code+94
  • CurrencySri Lankan rupee (LKR)
  • LanguagesSinhala, Tamil, English
  • Power plugsTypes D, G and M · 230 V
  • Ideal stay1 day

Best time to visit: December to March

Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Popular packages

Top Colombo travel packages

A few of our Colombo itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.

View all 8 packages
Before you go

Essential tips for travelling to Colombo

Currency and payments

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Carry some local currency for markets, small shops and tips, and ask your bank about international card charges before you travel.

Tipping

A 10% service charge is common; small tips for drivers and guides are expected.

Drinking water

Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.

Power plugs

Types D, G and M · 230 V. Indian plugs will not fit; carry a universal adapter.

Emergency numbers

119 (police), 1990 (ambulance)

Language

Languages spoken: Sinhala, Tamil, English.

Getting around

Private cars with drivers are the norm. The Kandy–Ella train is one of the world's most scenic rides.

Planner's tip

Book the Kandy–Ella train's reserved observation or first-class seats well in advance.

Planner's tip

Cover shoulders and knees and remove hats at Buddhist temples.

Planner's tip

Use Colombo as your arrival night, then head inland early.

General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.

Map

Where is Colombo?

Who it suits

Who should visit Colombo?

Plan from your city

Plan your Colombo trip from India

Departures to ColomboPick the city you travel from and we include flights from there in your quote.

Everything you need to know about Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka's commercial capital, a coastal city of colonial buildings, temples, seaside promenades and good shopping. Most trips start or end here, and it is only about an hour and a quarter by air from Chennai.

Highlights include Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, Pettah Market and National Museum. Local food worth trying: Kottu roti, Hoppers and Seafood curry. Plan 1 day here; it suits shoppers, city stopovers. Our Colombo itineraries run from 3 to 11 days and every one can be changed to suit you.

When to go

December to March. Dry on the west coast.

How to reach Colombo

  • By air: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), about 1 hour 15 minutes from Chennai
  • By rail: Colombo Fort station
  • By road: Expressways to Galle and Kandy
Tour packages

View all Colombo packages

Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.

Sri Lanka Highlights7D / 6NKandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo
Family holidays

Sri Lanka Highlights

Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, tea country at Nuwara Eliya, beaches at Bentota and Colombo's city sights.

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Sri Lanka Ramayana Trail6D / 5NColombo · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya
Pilgrimage toursCultural holidays

Sri Lanka Ramayana Trail

Sites linked to the Ramayana, including Seetha Amman Temple and Ravana Falls, with Kandy's shrine.

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Sri Lanka Grand Tour11D / 10NColombo · Sigiriya & Dambulla · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya
Cultural holidays

Sri Lanka Grand Tour

Ten days around the island: ancient cities, tea hills, the Ella train and Galle Fort.

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Colombo Weekend3D / 2NColombo

Colombo Weekend

A quick trip from Chennai for Gangaramaya, Galle Face Green, Pettah market and seafood dinners.

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Sri Lanka Senior-Friendly Tour7D / 6NColombo · Kandy · Bentota
Senior-friendly holidays

Sri Lanka Senior-Friendly Tour

A gentle pace with two long bases, short drives and accessible sights.

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Madurai, Rameswaram & Sri Lanka6D / 5NMadurai · Rameswaram · Colombo · Kandy
Pilgrimage toursCultural holidays

Madurai, Rameswaram & Sri Lanka

Madurai's Meenakshi temple and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, then a short flight to Colombo and the hill city of Kandy, linking the temples of both shores.

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Sri Lanka Highlights Holiday6D / 5NKandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo
Family holidaysCultural holidays

Sri Lanka Highlights Holiday

Hill temples, tea estates and a beach finish in six easy days: Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, Nuwara Eliya's tea country and Ramayana sites, a Bentota river safari and a Colombo city tour.

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Sri Lanka, Singapore & Malaysia9D / 8NKandy · Colombo · Kuala Lumpur · Singapore
Family holidaysMulti-country tours

Sri Lanka, Singapore & Malaysia

Three countries in nine days: Kandy's temples and Pinnawala elephants in Sri Lanka, Kuala Lumpur's towers and Batu Caves, and Singapore's Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa and Universal Studios.

View itinerary →

8 itineraries

Nearby in Sri Lanka

More places in Sri Lanka

Top attractions

Top things to see in Colombo

Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya TempleEclectic Buddhist templePhoto: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0
Galle Face Green, Colombo
Galle Face GreenSeafront promenadePhoto: Rehman Abubakr, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pettah Market, Colombo
Pettah MarketBustling bazaarPhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0
GalleColombo
National Museum

History and art

GalleColombo
Lotus Tower

Observation tower

Unawatuna Beach – GalleSri Lanka
Independence Square

Colonial memorial

Culture

Cultural experiences in Colombo

Heritage and landmarks

Experiences

  • Shopping
  • Street food

On the menuFood to try

  • Kottu roti
  • Hoppers
  • Seafood curry
Outdoors

Outdoor activities in Colombo

Sunset at Galle Face

Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Colombo: December to March. We check operating seasons for your dates.

Travel tips

Colombo travel tips

Visa and entry

Entry rules for Indian passport holders change, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival and e-visa schemes, so confirm the current rules on the official government or embassy website for Sri Lanka before booking flights. Most countries require a passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date. We check the current requirements when we prepare your quote; we cannot guarantee visa approval.

Health and safety

Buy travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation; healthcare abroad can be expensive. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription. For current safety advice, check the travel advisories published by the Government of India and the embassy in Sri Lanka.

Currency and tipping

The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). A 10% service charge is common; small tips for drivers and guides are expected.

Best time to visit

December to March. Dry on the west coast.

Getting around

Private cars with drivers are the norm. The Kandy–Ella train is one of the world's most scenic rides.

Local etiquette

  • Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
  • Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
  • Cover shoulders and knees and remove hats at Buddhist temples.

What to pack

Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites, comfortable walking shoes and a universal travel adapter.

Phone and internet

Indian mobile operators sell international roaming packs, or you can buy a local SIM or eSIM on arrival with your passport. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM before you travel.

Budget

We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.

FAQs

Colombo FAQs

What is Colombo famous for?
Colombo is known for Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, Pettah Market and National Museum. Colombo is Sri Lanka's commercial capital, a coastal city of colonial buildings, temples, seaside promenades and good shopping.
What is the best time to visit Colombo?
December to March. Dry on the west coast.
How many days are enough for Colombo?
Plan 1 day to see the main sights without rushing. Our itineraries that include Colombo run from 3 to 11 days, usually combined with nearby places.
How do I reach Colombo?
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), about 1 hour 15 minutes from Chennai. Colombo Fort station. Expressways to Galle and Kandy.
What currency is used in Colombo?
Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). A 10% service charge is common; small tips for drivers and guides are expected.
What languages are spoken in Colombo?
Sinhala, Tamil, English.
What plug type does Sri Lanka use?
Types D, G and M · 230 V. Indian plugs do not fit, so carry a universal adapter.
Is tap water safe to drink in Sri Lanka?
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
What is the time difference between India and Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is Same as India.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Rules for Indian passport holders vary and change, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival and e-visa schemes. Check the official government or embassy website before you travel; we confirm the current rules when you book with us.
What are the emergency numbers in Sri Lanka?
119 (police), 1990 (ambulance).
How much does a Colombo tour package cost?
It depends on your travel month, hotel category, the number of travellers and whether flights are included, so we quote every trip individually. Share your dates and we send a day-by-day plan with a price on WhatsApp.
Can Nexara Holidays plan a Colombo trip from Chennai?
Yes. We plan trips from Chennai and other Indian cities, including flights, hotels, transfers and sightseeing.
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Read before you go

Colombo guides and articles

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