Quick answer
Before a 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary, check that your passport has at least six months' validity and apply for the electronic travel authorisation; book flights, the hardest hotels and a private driver; book the Kandy to Ella train on release day, roughly 30 days out; arrange travel insurance with medical cover and see a travel health professional; book Yala; and pack temple clothing, a warm layer, sunscreen, repellent and an adaptor. Leave the elephant safari and whale watching until a day or two before.
Key takeaways
- Passports should usually have at least six months' validity from arrival; check the current entry rules for your nationality.
- Most visitors need an electronic travel authorisation or visa before arrival.
- The Kandy to Ella train release, roughly 30 days before day 5, is the date most worth putting in the calendar.
- Yala and its hotels should be booked weeks ahead in high season; the elephant safari only a day ahead.
- Temple clothing covering shoulders and knees is needed on at least four days of the route.
Documents and entry
The first items on the 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary checklist are the documents. Check your passport's validity and the current entry requirements for your nationality, and apply for the electronic travel authorisation or visa through the official channel only.
Arrange travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover, and keep digital and paper copies of your passport, insurance and bookings, separate from the originals.
- →Passport valid for at least six months from arrival, if required.
- →Electronic travel authorisation or visa, from the official source.
- →Travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover.
- →Copies of documents, stored separately and offline.
Bookings
For the December to March season, book flights and the hardest-to-find hotels, near Yala, in Ella and inside Galle Fort, three to six months ahead. Book the private driver as soon as flights are fixed, and the remaining hotels after that.
Put the train release date in your calendar and book on the day. Book Yala a few weeks ahead. Leave the elephant safari and whale watching until you are in the country.
- →Flights and hard-to-find hotels: three to six months ahead.
- →Private driver: once flights are fixed.
- →Kandy to Ella train: on release day, roughly 30 days out.
- →Yala jeep and hotel: a few weeks ahead.
- →Elephant safari and whale watching: a day or two before.
Money and phone
Tell your bank you are travelling, carry two cards from different providers, and plan to withdraw local currency from cash machines in Sri Lanka. Keep small notes for tuk-tuks, tips and small eateries.
Check whether your phone is unlocked for a local SIM card, available in the airport arrivals hall, or arrange an eSIM before you fly. Download offline maps for the hills and national parks, where signal can be weak.
Health
See a travel health professional several weeks before travel about vaccinations and any personal medical needs. Pack prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Build a small kit with rehydration salts, stomach remedies, seasickness tablets, plasters, high-factor sunscreen and insect repellent suitable for day use, since dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.
- →Travel health appointment several weeks ahead.
- →Medicines in original packaging.
- →Rehydration salts, sunscreen and repellent.
Packing
Pack for five settings: hot dry-zone days, temples, cool hills, dusty safaris and the beach. That means light breathable clothes, temple clothing covering shoulders and knees, a fleece and rain jacket, neutral safari colours, swimwear, walking shoes and sandals.
Add a universal adaptor, a power bank, a head torch, binoculars, a reusable bottle and a small daypack.
The week before you fly
A week before the 10-day trip, check the weather forecast for the Cultural Triangle, the hills and your coast, and adjust packing if rain is likely. Confirm the train tickets, the Yala jeep and the first hotel, and make sure your electronic travel authorisation is approved.
It is also the time to charge and test electronics, download offline maps and entertainment for the train, and tell your bank your travel dates if you have not already.
- →Check forecasts for each region.
- →Reconfirm train, Yala and the first hotel.
- →Confirm the travel authorisation is approved.
- →Download offline maps; charge electronics.
The day before you fly
The day before departure, reconfirm your flight, send the flight number to your driver, and check that the first hotel knows your arrival time. Save all confirmations offline and share the itinerary with someone at home.
Lankan Stays & Trails sends a pre-departure checklist and confirms every booking for guests before they fly. The booking timeline in this series explains each step in more detail.
- →Reconfirm the flight and send the number to your driver.
- →Confirm the first night's arrival time.
- →Save confirmations offline; share the itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need before travelling to Sri Lanka?
A passport meeting the validity rules, an electronic travel authorisation or visa, travel insurance with medical cover, your key bookings, especially the train and Yala, and advice from a travel health professional. Check current entry requirements for your nationality.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Most visitors need an electronic travel authorisation or visa before arrival. Requirements differ by nationality and change from time to time, so check the current rules and apply only through the official channel.
What should I book first for a Sri Lanka trip?
Flights and the hardest-to-find hotels, near Yala, in Ella and inside Galle Fort, then the private driver. The Kandy to Ella train must be booked on its release date, roughly 30 days before travel.
Should I get a local SIM card in Sri Lanka?
Yes, for most visitors. Tourist SIM cards with generous data are sold in the airport arrivals hall, and coverage is good along the 10-day route. Bring your passport for registration, or arrange an eSIM before you fly.
How much cash should I carry in Sri Lanka?
Enough local currency for a few days of small expenses, such as tuk-tuks, tips, snacks and some entry tickets, topped up at cash machines as you go. Cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants.
Do I need travel insurance for Sri Lanka?
It is strongly recommended. Choose a policy with medical and evacuation cover, and check that it covers activities such as safaris, hiking and boat trips, as well as trip delays and cancellations.