Plan Your Sri Lanka Trip

Free Sri Lanka Trip Planner

Use our Sri Lanka travel planner to build a personalised day-by-day itinerary. Choose your travel month, trip length, budget and interests, then get a suggested route with activities, overnight stops and estimated costs.

  • Day-by-day itinerary
  • Route and season logic
  • Travel budget estimates
  • Built by Sri Lankans
  • Trips from 2 to 21 days
  • Places matched to your interests
  • No ads
  • No signup or login
  • 100% free
  • Extra support if you need it
Sigiriya Rock Fortress rising out of the jungle in central Sri Lanka

Sample plan

5-Day Sri Lanka Highlights

Quick Trip
Duration
5days
Estimated cost
$450 - 700per person
  1. Day 1Arrival in Negombo
  2. Day 2NegomboSigiriya
  3. Day 3SigiriyaKandy
  4. Day 4KandyGalle (via train + drive)
  5. Day 5GalleMirissaDeparture
  1. Step 1Prefs
  2. Step 2Dates
  3. Step 3Plan
1

Make it your trip

What Excites You About Sri Lanka?

Choose up to 6 experiences. We'll shape your trip around them.

0 of 6 selected

One is enough to start. Add more for a trip that feels like you.

2

What's Your Budget Per Person, Per Day?

We'll estimate accommodation, food, transport and activities to match.

3

Who's Travelling?

Choose one. We'll match your route, stays and pace.

4

How Fast Do You Like To Travel?

This caps how much driving we'll suggest per day.

Pick at least one interest to continue.

How It Works

How To Plan Your Sri Lanka Trip

Choose your preferences, add your trip details and generate a custom itinerary. No signup or credit card required.

  1. 01

    Tell Us Your Dates And Preferences

    Choose your interests, budget and pace. Add your travel month, trip length, group size and arrival and departure details.

  2. 02

    Generate Your Custom Itinerary

    The AI itinerary builder suggests a destination order, daily activities, overnight stops and estimated travel costs.

  3. 03

    Customise, Save, Or Share

    Review the route and budget, adjust your preferences and regenerate if needed. Save your plan or share it with your travel companions.

What You Get

Your Route, Your Days, Your Budget

Your route, daily ideas and estimated costs in one flexible itinerary. Review the details before you book.

Illustration of a blue passenger train crossing a stone viaduct through green hill country

A Route Around What You Love

Your Day-By-Day Route
Morning, afternoon and evening ideas, ordered destinations, travel times and overnight stops.
Travel Budget Estimates
Estimates for stays, food, transport and activities in your currency. Confirm prices before booking.
Plans For Your Group
Stays, transport and daily pace shaped around solo travellers, couples, families or groups.
Local Travel Tips
Useful guidance on train bookings, local transport, food stops and everyday travel practicalities.
Seasonal Suggestions
Coast and activity suggestions guided by your travel month. Check forecasts before travelling.
Easy To Save And Share
Keep your plan in your browser or send its complete share link to your travel companions.
Sample Itineraries

5, 7 And 14-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary Examples

Start with a short highlights trip, a week combining culture and coast, or a two-week island route. These are sample itineraries with indicative budgets. The planner builds trips of up to 21 days, so you can stretch a route to three weeks; your generated plan depends on your dates and preferences.

For more route comparisons, read our Sri Lanka itinerary guide, then use the planner to adapt a route to your own trip.

Quick Trip5 days$450 - 700 per person

5-Day Sri Lanka Highlights

Best for: First-timers with limited time. Couples, solo travelers.

Sri Lanka Route Map - 5-Day Sri Lanka HighlightsCMB Airport to Negombo to Sigiriya to Kandy to Galle to Mirissa to CMB Airport. North is at the top. Numbered markers identify destinations; nearby airport and Negombo markers use callouts. Dashed gold lines show the return to CMB. Connections indicate travel order, not roads.1. CMB Airport - start and finish12. Negombo23. Sigiriya34. Kandy45. Galle56. Mirissa6
CMB Airport - Start And FinishReturn To CMB

Your Route At A Glance

  1. 1.CMB Airport
  2. 2.Negombo
  3. 3.Sigiriya
  4. 4.Kandy
  5. 5.Galle
  6. 6.Mirissa
  7. 1.CMB Airport

Trip Highlights

  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress climb
  • Kandy Temple of the Tooth
  • Galle Fort sunset walk
  • Mirissa whale watching (Nov-Apr)

Arrows show travel order. Connections are schematic and do not follow roads or railways.

Coastline: Natural Earth

Day By Day

Fishing boats on Negombo Lagoon
Negombo Lagoon

Day 1Arrival in Negombo

Morning
Land at Bandaranaike (CMB), private taxi to Negombo (~25 min). Check in to a beachfront hotel.
Afternoon
Recover from the flight. Walk Negombo Beach, watch fishing boats return.
Evening
Seafood dinner on Lewis Place. Early night, busy day tomorrow.
Stay
Negombo
Sigiriya Rock Fortress rising above the forest
Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Day 2Negombo → Sigiriya

Morning
Drive to Sigiriya (~3 hrs). Quick lunch in Dambulla.
Afternoon
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress (start 2:30pm to avoid heat). 1,200 steps to the summit, allow 2.5 hours.
Evening
Sunset at Pidurangala Rock (the view of Sigiriya itself). Dinner at hotel.
Stay
Sigiriya
Kandy Lake and the surrounding green hills
Kandy Lake

Day 3Sigiriya → Kandy

Morning
Visit Dambulla Cave Temples (UNESCO). Drive to Kandy (~2.5 hrs) via Matale Spice Garden.
Afternoon
Check in by 3pm. Evening visit to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Evening
Kandyan cultural dance show (1 hr, starts 5pm). Dinner overlooking Kandy Lake.
Stay
Kandy
Galle Fort lighthouse beside palm trees and the coast
Galle Fort

Day 4Kandy → Galle (via train + drive)

Morning
Optional: scenic train Kandy → Nanu Oya. Or drive direct to Galle (~5-6 hrs via expressway).
Afternoon
Arrive Galle. Walk the Dutch Fort ramparts.
Evening
Sunset on the lighthouse walk. Dinner at one of Galle's heritage restaurants.
Stay
Galle
Palm trees beside the sand and sea at Mirissa Beach
Mirissa Beach

Day 5Galle → Mirissa → Departure

Morning
Day-trip Mirissa beach (~30 min). Surf lesson or whale watching (Nov-Apr only).
Afternoon
Drive back to Colombo or directly to airport (~3 hrs from Mirissa).
Evening
Departure from CMB.
Stay
Flight home
Most Popular7 days$700 - 1,100 per person

7-Day Cultural Triangle + South Coast

Best for: Travelers wanting the full mix, heritage, hill country and beaches.

Sri Lanka Route Map - 7-Day Cultural Triangle + South CoastCMB Airport to Anuradhapura to Sigiriya to Kandy to Ella to Mirissa to Galle to CMB Airport. North is at the top. Numbered markers identify destinations; nearby airport and Negombo markers use callouts. Dashed gold lines show the return to CMB. Connections indicate travel order, not roads.1. CMB Airport - start and finish12. Anuradhapura23. Sigiriya34. Kandy45. Ella56. Mirissa67. Galle7
CMB Airport - Start And FinishReturn To CMB

Your Route At A Glance

  1. 1.CMB Airport
  2. 2.Anuradhapura
  3. 3.Sigiriya
  4. 4.Kandy
  5. 5.Ella
  6. 6.Mirissa
  7. 7.Galle
  8. 1.CMB Airport

Trip Highlights

  • Anuradhapura ancient ruins
  • Sigiriya + Dambulla
  • Kandy + Tea estate stay
  • Kandy-Ella scenic train
  • Mirissa beach + Galle Fort

Arrows show travel order. Connections are schematic and do not follow roads or railways.

Coastline: Natural Earth

Day By Day

Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Anuradhapura
Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura

Day 1Arrival → Anuradhapura

Morning
Land at CMB. Private driver pickup, drive to Anuradhapura (~4 hrs).
Afternoon
Check in. Recover.
Evening
Sri Maha Bodhi temple at dusk, quieter than mornings.
Stay
Anuradhapura
Sigiriya Rock Fortress rising above the forest
Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Day 2Anuradhapura ruins → Sigiriya

Morning
Cycle the ancient city (~3 hrs), Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiri.
Afternoon
Drive to Sigiriya (~2.5 hrs).
Evening
Pidurangala Rock for sunset (easier climb than Sigiriya, free view of the rock).
Stay
Sigiriya
Buddha statues inside the Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Cave Temple

Day 3Sigiriya climb + Dambulla

Morning
Sigiriya Rock Fortress at 7am (avoid the crowds and heat).
Afternoon
Lunch then Dambulla Cave Temples.
Evening
Optional Minneriya National Park elephant safari (Aug-Sep is peak).
Stay
Sigiriya
Kandy Lake and the surrounding green hills
Kandy Lake

Day 4Sigiriya → Kandy

Morning
Drive to Kandy (~2.5 hrs). Stop at Matale Spice Garden.
Afternoon
Temple of the Tooth (do the upper-floor museum too).
Evening
Kandyan dance show. Dinner in town.
Stay
Kandy
Nine Arches Bridge surrounded by green hills near Ella
Nine Arches Bridge, Ella

Day 5Kandy → Ella by train

Morning
Catch the 8:47am train Kandy → Ella (book reserved seats weeks ahead). 6-7 hrs through tea country and the Nine Arches Bridge.
Afternoon
Arrive Ella. Walk Little Adam's Peak (90 min round-trip, easy).
Evening
Ella town dinner, backpacker cafe scene.
Stay
Ella
Palm trees beside the sand and sea at Mirissa Beach
Mirissa Beach

Day 6Ella → Mirissa

Morning
Sunrise at Ella Rock OR Nine Arches Bridge for the morning train shot.
Afternoon
Drive to Mirissa (~4 hrs). Beach + dinner.
Evening
Sunset on Coconut Tree Hill (free, just outside the village).
Stay
Mirissa
Galle Fort lighthouse beside palm trees and the coast
Galle Fort

Day 7Mirissa → Galle → Departure

Morning
Whale watching (5am start, Nov-Apr only) OR slow beach morning.
Afternoon
Drive to Galle (~30 min). Walk the fort.
Evening
Drive to CMB (~2.5 hrs). Departure.
Stay
Flight home
Round Island14 days$1,400 - 2,200 per person

14-Day Complete Sri Lanka

Best for: Travelers with time who want the full breadth, North, East, hill country and beaches.

Sri Lanka Route Map - 14-Day Complete Sri LankaCMB Airport to Negombo to Anuradhapura to Jaffna to Trincomalee to Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya to Kandy to Nuwara Eliya to Ella to Yala Area to Mirissa to Galle to CMB Airport. North is at the top. Numbered markers identify destinations; nearby airport and Negombo markers use callouts. Dashed gold lines show the return to CMB. Connections indicate travel order, not roads.1. CMB Airport - start and finish12. Negombo23. Anuradhapura34. Jaffna45. Trincomalee56. Polonnaruwa67. Sigiriya78. Kandy89. Nuwara Eliya910. Ella1011. Yala Area1112. Mirissa1213. Galle13
CMB Airport - Start And FinishReturn To CMB

Your Route At A Glance

  1. 1.CMB Airport
  2. 2.Negombo
  3. 3.Anuradhapura
  4. 4.Jaffna
  5. 5.Trincomalee
  6. 6.Polonnaruwa
  7. 7.Sigiriya
  8. 8.Kandy
  9. 9.Nuwara Eliya
  10. 10.Ella
  11. 11.Yala Area
  12. 12.Mirissa
  13. 13.Galle
  14. 1.CMB Airport

Trip Highlights

  • Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura)
  • Trincomalee East Coast beaches (May-Sep)
  • Jaffna Tamil culture and cuisine
  • Yala safari leopards
  • Hill country tea estates + Ella train
  • South coast Galle + Mirissa

Arrows show travel order. Connections are schematic and do not follow roads or railways.

Coastline: Natural Earth

Day By Day

Fishing boats on Negombo Lagoon
Negombo Lagoon

Day 1Arrival → Negombo

Morning
Land CMB. Recover near the airport.
Afternoon
Beach walk, fishing village tour.
Evening
Seafood dinner.
Stay
Negombo
Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Anuradhapura
Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura

Day 2Negombo → Anuradhapura

Morning
Drive north (~4 hrs).
Afternoon
Sri Maha Bodhi + Ruwanwelisaya.
Evening
Sunset at Mihintale.
Stay
Anuradhapura
The ornate entrance of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna
Nallur Temple, Jaffna

Day 3Anuradhapura → Jaffna

Morning
Drive to Jaffna (~4 hrs) through ex-conflict zone.
Afternoon
Jaffna Fort, Nallur Temple.
Evening
Tamil cuisine at Mangos or Cosy.
Stay
Jaffna
A herd of brown horses on the open grassland of Delft Island
Delft Island

Day 4Jaffna day trip, islands

Morning
Day trip to Nainativu and Delft Island by ferry.
Afternoon
Wild horses at Delft.
Evening
Back to Jaffna.
Stay
Jaffna
Boats on Nilaveli Beach near Trincomalee
Nilaveli Beach

Day 5Jaffna → Trincomalee

Morning
Drive east coast (~5 hrs).
Afternoon
Check in to Nilaveli or Uppuveli beach.
Evening
Sunset on the beach.
Stay
Trincomalee
Clear turquoise water and the rocky shore of Pigeon Island near Nilaveli
Pigeon Island

Day 6Trincomalee, beach + Pigeon Island

Morning
Snorkel Pigeon Island (May-Sep best).
Afternoon
Koneswaram Temple at Swami Rock.
Evening
Beach dinner.
Stay
Trincomalee
The seated stone Buddha at Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa

Day 7Trinco → Polonnaruwa → Sigiriya

Morning
Drive (~3 hrs) to Polonnaruwa ruins.
Afternoon
Cycle the Ancient City (3 hrs).
Evening
Drive to Sigiriya (~1.5 hrs). Pidurangala sunset.
Stay
Sigiriya
Sigiriya Rock Fortress rising above the forest
Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Day 8Sigiriya + Dambulla

Morning
Sigiriya Rock at 7am.
Afternoon
Dambulla Caves.
Evening
Minneriya elephant safari (Aug-Sep peak).
Stay
Sigiriya
Kandy Lake and the surrounding green hills
Kandy Lake

Day 9Sigiriya → Kandy

Morning
Drive (~2.5 hrs). Spice garden stop.
Afternoon
Temple of the Tooth.
Evening
Kandyan dance show.
Stay
Kandy
Green tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya hill country
Nuwara Eliya Tea Country

Day 10Kandy → Nuwara Eliya by car

Morning
Drive through tea country (~3 hrs). Visit a working tea factory.
Afternoon
Gregory Lake walk in Nuwara Eliya.
Evening
Strawberry farm + colonial-era dinner.
Stay
Nuwara Eliya
Nine Arches Bridge surrounded by green hills near Ella
Nine Arches Bridge, Ella

Day 11Nuwara Eliya → Ella by train

Morning
Catch train Nanu Oya → Ella (~3 hrs, the most scenic stretch).
Afternoon
Ella arrival. Little Adam's Peak.
Evening
Town dinner.
Stay
Ella
A Sri Lankan leopard among sunlit forest foliage
Yala National Park

Day 12Ella → Yala

Morning
Nine Arches Bridge morning. Drive to Yala (~3 hrs).
Afternoon
Afternoon safari (3pm-6pm), leopards more active.
Evening
Lodge dinner.
Stay
Yala area
Palm trees beside the sand and sea at Mirissa Beach
Mirissa Beach

Day 13Yala → Mirissa → Galle

Morning
Optional second safari at dawn.
Afternoon
Drive to Mirissa (~2.5 hrs). Beach.
Evening
Drive to Galle (~30 min). Fort walk.
Stay
Galle
Galle Fort lighthouse beside palm trees and the coast
Galle Fort

Day 14Galle → CMB → Departure

Morning
Slow morning, last fort walk, brunch.
Afternoon
Drive to airport (~2.5 hrs).
Evening
Departure.
Stay
Flight home
Why Our Planner

Travel Planning With Sri Lanka In Mind

The planner uses our Sri Lanka destination, route and cost catalogs to turn your preferences into a practical starting point for your holiday.

Built For Travel In Sri Lanka

Our local team focuses on Sri Lankan destinations, transport options and travel practicalities, from the Cultural Triangle to the coast.

Personalised To Your Travel Style

Your budget, group size, interests and pace shape the suggested itinerary, whether you want more time on the beach or a route with several stops.

Informed By Local Travel Data

The AI uses destination, route, cost and seasonal catalogs to guide its suggestions. Review the generated details and confirm availability before booking.

Free To Use, No Account Needed

Create an itinerary without a subscription or credit card. You choose which suggestions to use and arrange your own travel bookings.

Illustration of two travellers reviewing a paper route map together at a tropical terrace
Real Sri Lanka Data

Local Travel Knowledge Behind Your Itinerary

Where and in what order. Places and routes decide which stops fit your days and how to order them between cities.

What it costs and when. Costs and seasonal notes shape your budget and the coasts and activities suggested for your travel month.

The practical detail. Cultural notes and transport operations add temple dress codes, festival dates, train booking windows and tuk-tuk fare ranges.

A plan that feels right. Rules keep pacing, group size and budget tier consistent from day to day.

7Travel catalogsbehind every plan
Places
Destination descriptions, opening-hour guidance and suggested times to visit
Routes
Estimated journey times between cities to help order your route
Costs
Hotel, food, transport and activity benchmarks for indicative trip budgets
Seasonal Notes
Seasonal patterns to help choose coasts and activities for your travel month
Cultural Notes
Festival dates, dress codes for temples, local etiquette
Transport Ops
Train booking windows, tuk-tuk fare ranges, airport taxi standards
Rules
Pacing, group-size logic, budget-tier matching, what makes a plan feel right

The AI uses seven travel catalogs covering places, routes, costs, seasonal patterns and practical travel advice. These help shape your itinerary, but opening hours, fares and conditions can change. Check the details before booking.

Frequently Asked

Sri Lanka Trip Planner FAQs

Everything you need to know before generating your first plan.

Is This Sri Lanka Trip Planner Free?

Yes. You can create a personalised Sri Lanka itinerary without an account, subscription or credit card. Daily usage limits apply. The tool helps you plan your trip; transport, accommodation and activities are booked separately. When you are ready to book, compare private driver hire and Sri Lanka tour agencies.

How Do I Plan My Trip To Sri Lanka?

Choose your interests, travel style and pace, then add your trip length, travel month, group size and arrival and departure details. The planner suggests a city-by-city route, daily activities, overnight stops and a travel budget. Review the plan and adjust your preferences before booking.

Can I Build A 7, 10 Or 14-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary?

Yes. The itinerary planner supports trips from 2 to 21 days, including 7, 10 and 14-day holidays. Enter your trip length in the form. A longer trip gives you more room for additional regions or slower travel; your chosen pace and interests guide the suggested stops. For route ideas, see our ready-made Sri Lanka itineraries.

Does The Planner Include Free Route Mapping?

The planner suggests an ordered route between Sri Lankan destinations, with travel times and overnight stops. It does not include an interactive map or turn-by-turn navigation. Use the suggested city order in your preferred map app to check directions and current journey times. Our guide to getting around Sri Lanka explains the bus, train and driver options.

Can I Plan A Budget, Mid-Range Or Luxury Trip?

Yes. Choose a budget, mid-range or luxury travel style and the planner uses that preference when suggesting accommodation, transport and activities. The result includes estimated costs to help you compare options before you book.

How Accurate Are The Travel Cost Estimates?

Costs are planning estimates based on our Sri Lanka price benchmarks, not live booking quotes. Some benchmarks use a 2024-2025 baseline, so current fares and room rates may differ. Season, availability and exchange rates affect the total. Confirm prices directly with providers before paying. To compare your plan with a line-by-line budget, use our Sri Lanka trip cost calculator.

How Long Does It Take To Generate An Itinerary?

Generation time varies with trip length, demand and your connection. Complete the preferences and trip-details steps, then select Generate. The page shows progress while your itinerary is being prepared.

Can I Change My Itinerary After It Is Generated?

Yes. Adjust your preferences and regenerate to try a different route, budget or pace. You can also copy the itinerary into your own notes and edit it there. The suggested plan is a starting point for your travel decisions.

Can I Save Or Share My Travel Plan?

Use Save or Share in the result to keep a copy in your browser and create a link for your travel companions. Copy the complete link so the itinerary details are included. Anyone with that link can view the shared plan, so avoid adding private information to your trip notes.

Does It Work For Solo Travellers, Couples And Families?

Yes. Choose your travel group and number of travellers, then add any special requirements. These details help the planner suggest accommodation, transport and activities for your group. Check accessibility and child-specific requirements with each provider before booking.

Can I Plan Around Beaches, Wildlife Or Culture?

Yes. Select interests such as beaches, wildlife, hiking, food or culture. The travel planner uses those choices to prioritise destinations and activities, so you can build a beach holiday, a cultural route or a trip combining several interests.

Does The Planner Consider My Travel Month?

Yes. Your travel month helps the planner choose regions and activities using Sri Lanka seasonal patterns. These are planning suggestions rather than a live weather forecast. Check local forecasts and transport conditions close to your travel dates. For a month-by-month view, read our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

Ready To Plan

Ready To Build Your Sri Lanka Itinerary?

Choose your trip length, travel month and budget. Create a day-by-day route for your Sri Lanka holiday, then review the activities and costs before you book.

Plan My Trip

Planner images include AI-generated illustrations.

Destination Photo Credits

Sri Lanka Right Now

Live weather across the island, refreshed every 15 minutes.

Sri Lanka time 20:07

Weather data by Open-Meteo. Today's high, low and chance of rain shown under each town.