Sri Lanka for American travellers
A long way to come, so we plan it slowly and with a real person.
Sri Lanka is a long way from the United States, so we plan around it: one stop, a gentle first day, and a driver-guide waiting for you when you land. It is a long trip, and it is worth giving it two weeks. Ancient cities, the hill railway, wildlife and a warm coast all sit within a few hours of each other, English is spoken almost everywhere, and a private driver-guide means you never have to work out the logistics on your own. You write to us, and a real person writes back.
The practical shape of it
- Best windowDecember – March
- Ideal length12–16 nights
- FlightsUsually one stop
There are no direct flights from the United States. It is usually one stop, often via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Singapore, and about 20–24 hours door to door from the east coast. We plan a quiet first day, so jet-lag does not take the first part of the trip.
- Time differenceAbout 10.5 hours
Sri Lanka is about 10.5 hours ahead of New York in winter (9.5 in summer, when US clocks go forward). We usually reply overnight your time, so there is an answer waiting when you wake up.
- Currency$ USD
- VisaOnline ETA
US travellers need an ETA, a travel authorisation you apply for online before you fly. Please check the current fee and rules on the official site, eta.gov.lk, as they have changed more than once.
A good place to start for American travellers
Starting points, not fixed menus — every one gets rewritten around how you like to travel.
Questions American travellers ask us
Do Americans need a visa for Sri Lanka?
US travellers need an ETA, which is an online travel authorisation applied for before you travel. Please check the current fee and rules on the official site, eta.gov.lk, because they have changed more than once, and other websites may charge extra. We also send you the current link and steps when you book.
How long is the flight from the United States, and is it direct?
There are no direct flights. It is usually one stop, often via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Singapore, and about 20–24 hours door to door from the east coast. You will land the day after you leave. We keep the first day light, and we can add a night at a hotel near the airport if your flight gets in early.
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka from the US?
December to March is the best window for the southwest coast, the cultural triangle and the hill country, and it covers Thanksgiving week, Christmas and New Year, and spring break. If you can only travel between May and September, we build the trip around the east coast, which is at its best then. In either case, two weeks lets the island settle in without rushing.
Is Sri Lanka safe, and what does a driver-guide do?
Sri Lanka is an easy country to travel in with some care, and your own government travel advice is worth reading before you book. A driver-guide is one person who stays with you for the whole trip. They drive, tell you what you are looking at, deal with the hotels, and know which roads and places are best at which time of day. It means you are never left to sort things out alone in a place you do not know.
How does tipping work?
Tips are appreciated, and they are not a fixed percentage as they are at home. It is usual to thank your driver-guide at the end of the trip and to leave a little for hotel and restaurant staff. Before you fly, we tell you what is usual for your own trip, so there is no guessing.
How do we pay, and is it safe?
Payment is by bank transfer, and we send you the details and a clear schedule when your trip is agreed. We never ask for card details by email. If you are ever unsure whether a message really came from us, write to us on the address on our site and we will confirm it.
Let's shape your Sri Lankan story.
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel. We'll come back with a draft itinerary built for the trip from United States — no deposit to talk.
Begin your story