Sri Lanka
- Covid Travel information
View entry requirements here on UK FCDO On 27 February, the Government of Sri Lanka announced that fully vaccinated travellers are no longer required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test before arrival. All visitors to apply visa online through eta.gov.lk. On 17 June, the Government of Sri Lanka announced that COVID-19 travel insurance is no longer mandatory for all visitors. However, it is important to ensure you take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel abroad. Sri Lanka will only accept the UK’s letter version of proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. They will not accept digital proof. Unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and above entering Sri Lanka, will need to show proof of either a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before embarkation), or a negative Rapid Antigen Test report (taken within 48 hours before embarkation). Self-swab tests will not be recognised. You will need to stay in a Tourism Bio Bubble until either you reach 14 days post vaccination or 7 days after arrival Transit via Sri Lanka is permitted, as long as the connecting flight is within 10 hours of arrival. From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you: do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form do not need to quarantine when you arrive This applies whether you are vaccinated or not. It includes people who are transiting through England. Updated 13SEP 2022
Sri Lanka - the location, language, time difference
Sri Lanka is a 10-11 hr direct flight from London. Sri Lanka has maritime borders with India to the northwest and the Maldives to the southwest. It's documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of pre-historic human settlements dating back to at least 125,000 years. Its geographic location and deep harbours make it of great strategic importance from the time of the ancient Silk Road through to World War II. The main arrival airport is Colombo (CMB). Sri Lankan is a year round destination, relatively close to the equator. The air temps are fairly constant all year round.
- GMT + 5hrs 30mins
- Sinhala, Tamil, English widely spoken
Sri Lanka - weather and climate
Sri Lanka traditionally experiences 2 weather seasons. From November to April the weather is usually drier, with the majority of activities being focused on the south west side of the island. From May to October the best locations to visit are on the north east of the island, where you are more sheltered from the rainy weather reaching the southern areas. It is worth remembering however, that as with many locations, the seasons are much less predictable than they have been historically!
Sri Lanka - Currency and Tax
Sri Lankan rupee $USD widely accepted
A transaction fee is usually levied on all credit or debit card payments
How do I get there?
Our holidays to Sri Lanka are typically quoted with Sri Lankan flights from Heathrow direct to Colombo. We are however able to book most major airlines. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Colombo, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
The most common stop over point en route to or from Sri Lanka is Dubai. We are able to book several hotels here. Many customers also chose to take the short flight to the Maldives from Sri Lanka. These two destinations combine perfectly to build a longer itinerary. Talk to your travel consultant about creating a bespoke holiday.
Are there any extension options?
With daily flights between the UK and the Colmbo, it's simple to add a few extra nights either before or after your liveaboard. Depending on the season, we will be able to suggest a beach based option. Or why not head into Sri Lanka to visit one of the stunning national parks or historic city of Kandy. You can easily hop from one part of Sri Lanka to another and we are happy to buil a bespoke itinerary just for you.
Passports and Visas
Passports - Must be valid for 6 months from return date. If transiting via Sri Lanka you must have a visa prior to travel click here
All UK visitors to Sri Lanka need an entry visa (valid for a 30days) prior to travel approx £40: Apply online here . Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Preparing to fly
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here for holiday extras
Current duty free allowances allowed into Sri Lanka: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 12 ounces of tobacco, 2 bottles of wine, 1 ½ litres of spirits, 2 ounces of perfume and ¼ litre of toilet water Allowances can change without notice - please reconfirm before travel.
What do I need to arrange before I go?
All UK visitors to Sri Lanka need an entry visa (valid for a 30days) prior to travel approx £40: Apply online here . Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here to go to the NHS
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Depending on your itinerary, you will usually require a land or air transfer from Colombo airport. It takes approx 45mins -1 hour to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Negombo hotels are around 20mins from Colombo. The Dickowita harbour is around 40mins from Colombo. If you are visiting the national parks (eg Yala) or Kandy, transfers may take several hours by road. Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible. If you are heading to Trincomalee you will be met on arrival and taken to the charter flight departure point. This may be by fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. Currently the baggage allowance on these flights is 30kgs hold. Please be aware your hold baggage may not travel on the same flight as you so we recommend keeping your valuables and travel essentials in your hand baggage. We endeavour to keep the transit between flights as short as possible and your transfer will normally take place within 3 hours of your international arrival, but please be aware, you may have to wait at the airport between flights.
What happens on departure day?
You will be taken back to Colombo airport in time for your international flight. Domestic flights and transfers will arrive in time for you to make your connections. Typically you will arrive at the airport 1 1/2- 2 hours before your flight time. There is currently no departure tax when leaving Sri Lanka.
Plugs and Electricity
220V, 50Hz (European 2 pin or British plugs)