Quick answer
The essential checklist for a 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary: book flights with good arrival and departure times, reserved seats on the Kandy to Ella train, hotels starting with the coast and Sigiriya, and a private driver; apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation and arrange travel insurance a few weeks before; pack for heat, hills and temples; confirm each morning's departure time the evening before; and on day 7, allow roughly five to six hours from Galle to take-off.
Key takeaways
- Flights, the Kandy to Ella train, the coast and Sigiriya hotels, and a driver are the first bookings.
- The Electronic Travel Authorisation and travel insurance should be arranged a few weeks before departure.
- Packing must cover three climates and temple dress codes in one bag.
- Confirming the next morning's departure time with your driver each evening keeps the week on track.
- On departure day, aim to reach the airport around three hours before an international flight.
Months before: the bookings that shape the week
The first part of the 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary checklist is about the bookings that constrain everything else. Get these right, and the rest of the week falls into place.
In the December to April peak, and especially over Christmas and New Year, make these bookings as early as possible. In the shoulder months and on the east coast from May to September, there is more flexibility.
The order matters as much as the timing. Flights come first because they fix the first and last days; the train comes second because it fixes the middle of the week; the hotels and driver are then built around both. Booking hotels before the train, for example, can leave the Kandy and Ella nights on the wrong dates.
- →Choose the route for the season: the south coast roughly December to April, the east coast roughly May to September.
- →Book flights with a morning arrival and an evening departure if possible.
- →Book reserved seats on the Kandy to Ella train as soon as the window opens.
- →Book hotels, starting with the coast and Sigiriya.
- →Book a private driver alongside the hotels.
- →Check hotels for gala dinners and minimum stays over the festive period.
Weeks before: paperwork and health
A few weeks before departure, turn to paperwork and health. Rules on entry and health change, so check current official requirements rather than relying on older advice.
This is also the moment to share flight details and the final route with your driver and hotels, and to confirm any special requests, such as child seats or ground-floor rooms.
- →Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation; keep a copy.
- →Arrange travel insurance covering medical care and planned activities.
- →Seek travel health advice and any recommended vaccinations.
- →Arrange an eSIM, or plan to buy a SIM on arrival.
- →Tell your bank you are travelling.
- →Send flight details to your driver and confirm special requests.
Days before: packing
Packing for a 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary means covering the hot Cultural Triangle and coast, the cool hill country, and temple dress codes in one medium bag or a carry-on. Light, breathable clothing, one warm layer and a sarong do most of the work.
Check liquids rules for cabin baggage, and bring any regular medication in original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
- →Light tops, long trousers or a long skirt, shorts and swimwear.
- →One warm layer and a compact rain jacket.
- →A sarong or large scarf for temples.
- →Walking shoes with grip and slip-off sandals.
- →Sunscreen, repellent, a hat and a small first-aid kit.
- →A universal adaptor, power bank and documents with copies.
On arrival: the airport
At Bandaranaike International Airport, three small jobs make the first days easier: cash, a SIM card and meeting your driver. If you land after roughly 6pm, the first night should be in Negombo rather than at the end of a four- to five-hour drive.
Card acceptance outside hotels is patchy in the Cultural Triangle, and the first two days include roadside lunches, tips and temple donations, so the airport is the easiest place to get enough cash. Compare exchange rates between counters rather than using the first one.
- →Change or withdraw enough rupees for two or three days.
- →Buy a data SIM or activate your eSIM.
- →Meet your driver in arrivals.
- →Late landing: sleep in Negombo.
Each day on the route
On the road, a few daily habits keep a 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary running smoothly. The most important is confirming the next morning's departure time with your driver each evening, since four of the seven days start at dawn.
It is also worth checking the next day's weather, opening times and any train timings locally, since published information can be out of date. Pack the night before each hotel change, especially before the train on day 4 and the drive on day 5.
Keep water, sun protection and temple clothing in the day bag every day, and set aside a daily amount for tips.
- →Confirm the next morning's departure time each evening.
- →Check weather, opening times and train timings locally.
- →Pack the night before each hotel change.
- →Carry water, sun protection and temple clothing daily.
- →Set aside a daily amount for tips.
The last day
Day 7 is planned backwards from the flight. From Galle, allow roughly two and a half to three hours to the airport, plus an hour of buffer, and aim to arrive around three hours before an international departure. For an evening flight, that allows a morning in Galle Fort.
Before leaving, spend or change leftover rupees, tip your driver, pack purchases securely and change into travel clothes.
For flights before roughly 3pm, skip Galle and drive straight from the coast; for flights in the early hours, consider a day room or a final night in Negombo. Either way, check the flight status in the morning, since a delay can change how the last day is best spent.
- →Allow roughly five to six hours from Galle to take-off.
- →Tip your driver at the end of the week.
- →Spend or change leftover rupees.
- →Pack tea, spices and souvenirs securely.
Using the checklist
Work through the checklist in order, and tick off the bookings first, since they are the only items that can seriously constrain the week. Everything else can be handled in the days before travel or on the ground.
Lankan Stays & Trails handles the booking half of this checklist for guests on private weeks, and briefs them on the rest before travel. The day-by-day guides in this series give the detail behind each item.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to do before going to Sri Lanka?
Book flights, the Kandy to Ella train, hotels and a driver; apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation; arrange travel insurance and seek health advice; set up an eSIM or plan to buy a SIM; tell your bank; and pack for heat, hills and temples.
What should I book first for Sri Lanka?
Flights, since their times shape the first and last days, then reserved seats on the Kandy to Ella train as soon as the booking window opens. Hotels, starting with the coast and Sigiriya, and a private driver come next.
What should I do when I arrive in Sri Lanka?
At the airport, change or withdraw enough rupees for two or three days, buy a data SIM or activate an eSIM, and meet your driver in arrivals. If you land after roughly 6pm, sleep in Negombo rather than driving four to five hours to Sigiriya.
How early should I leave Galle for my flight?
Allow roughly two and a half to three hours to the airport, plus an hour of buffer, and aim to arrive around three hours before an international departure. For a 9pm flight, leave Galle by around 3pm.
Do I need travel insurance for Sri Lanka?
It is strongly recommended. Choose a policy that covers medical treatment and evacuation, and the activities you plan, such as climbing, boat trips and safaris. Check whether it also covers flight delays and weather disruption.
What documents do I need for Sri Lanka?
A passport valid for the required period, an Electronic Travel Authorisation for most nationalities, travel insurance details, and hotel and flight confirmations. Requirements change, so check current official rules, and keep digital copies separately.