Sri Lanka is one of the most popular long-haul destinations for UK travellers. It offers a compelling combination of ancient heritage, lush landscapes, exceptional wildlife and pristine beaches — all within a compact island that can be explored fully in 10 to 16 days, making it ideal for British school holidays and annual leave periods.
UK travellers fly to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester with airlines including Sri Lankan Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Emirates via their respective hubs. Flight times are approximately 10.5 to 13 hours depending on routing. Sri Lanka operates 1 hour ahead of GMT in winter and 5.5 hours ahead of BST in summer.
Sri Lanka Travellers has been arranging private tours for British visitors since 2013. Our English-speaking team understands exactly what UK travellers expect in terms of service, communication and itinerary quality — and our local knowledge ensures you see the very best of the island in the time you have.
British passport holders require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka, which is obtained online before travel. The tourist ETA allows a 30-day stay and is straightforward to apply for via the official Sri Lankan Immigration portal.
Sri Lankan Airlines operates direct flights from London Heathrow (approx. 10.5 hrs). Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer connections via Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Flight prices are typically most competitive when booked 3–6 months ahead.
December to March is the most popular window for UK visitors — it aligns with the UK winter and Sri Lanka's dry season on the west and south coast. The October half-term and July–August school summer holidays also work well for families visiting.
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). The GBP exchanges very favourably. Budget guesthouses from £25/night, mid-range boutiques from £60–100/night, and luxury resorts from £150+ per night. Most places accept USD and GBP informally.
Sigiriya · Kandy · Ella · Yala · Galle
The most popular choice for British visitors on a two-week holiday. Combines all the must-sees with a Yala safari and Galle beach day in 10 days of touring.
View 10 Day PlanAnuradhapura · Sigiriya · Kandy · Ella · Udawalawe · Galle · Mirissa
Perfect for UK travellers using annual leave. Covers the full island with extra beach time, an elephant safari at Udawalawe and leisurely pacing throughout.
View 14 Day PlanYour choice of destinations & duration
Have specific places in mind or a different duration? We design completely custom Sri Lanka itineraries from scratch. Family, honeymoon, solo or group.
Build Custom TourTell us your travel dates, group size and preferred itinerary. Our team responds to all UK enquiries within 24 hours — during UK business hours wherever possible.
Also see: Tours from Australia · Tours from India · All packages
