The flight to Sri Lanka depends on which airline is used. Read the itinerary and remember that the times given are local. Food and drink will be served during the trip.
Prior to landing, cabin crew will provide an entry form to be delivered to the Sri Lankan authorities, consisting of the following parts:
A) Entry-Permit Card
B) Custom Card – (customs declaration card)
All passengers must fill in both A and B. The arrival card is handed in at the passport control and the customs declaration card is handed out at the exit, after you have picked up your luggage.
Transport in Sri Lanka
Bus
The buses in Sri Lanka do not meet the standard we are used to in Europe. We have of course chosen the best category, with air conditioning whenever possible.
Train
On our train journeys we travel in the best possible category. There is a relatively large difference in what it means between the different departures, but we always strive to use the best connections. In general, you can not expect any luxury, but train travel is always an experience!
Luggage and luggage transport
We recommend that you bring a suitcase for regular luggage (max. 20 kg), as well as a small backpack for hand luggage and possible replacement. The suitcase MUST be able to be opened. During the days when we change hotels, we will have to do without the suitcases for a long time. This is partly due to the fact that we use various transports such as buses, planes and trains, where you do not have your suitcase nearby, and partly because the baggage handling itself is time-consuming. For air and train journeys, we often drop off our luggage the day / evening before departure for transport with a special luggage bus.
Time difference
The time difference between Sweden and Sri Lanka varies, depending on whether it is summer or winter time.
Summer time + 3.5 hours
Winter time + 4.5 hours
Price level
The money goes a long way in Sri Lanka. When it comes to pocket money, we know from experience that you can manage on about SEK 70 per day. If you also buy extra drinks and other things, you should expect an additional SEK 120-170 per day per person. It is enough, for example, for drinks, postcards, stamps, ice cream and tips. If the trip does not include full board, you can count on about SEK 70-85 for one meal per person. At several attractions, a small fee is charged for camera and video camera.
This fee is between SEK 5-30. The amount goes to maintenance of the site. You will also encounter photo opportunities during your trip in Sri Lanka as you are expected to pay a small fee to take pictures. This fee is often about 5 Swedish kronor per picture. In addition to this, of course, there are expenses for personal necessities, shopping and tips. In the travel program for your trip, we inform you about what the tip amount will be.
Currency and payment
The currency in Sri Lanka is called Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). It is cheapest to exchange for the local currency on site in Sri Lanka. This will be possible at the first hotel on the trip.
ATMs in Sri Lanka are now almost as common as in Sweden. It is thus excellent to withdraw money from the vending machines to get local currency and you really only need a small cash register of, for example, dollars or euros from home.
Electricity
Sri Lanka, just like Sweden, has 220 volts. The electrical outlets vary a lot. In most places you will be able to use the Swedish 2-pin connectors, although they are sometimes used a little differently. Alternatively, an adapter can sometimes be borrowed / rented at the reception of the hotels. However, we recommend that you bring an adapter set with several types of sockets to choose from. Visit computerdo for Practical Information About Sri Lanka.
Telephone and internet
The international country code for Sri Lanka is +94. It is expensive to call home, so feel free to consult with your mobile operator regarding coverage and prices for calls from Sri Lanka.
Internet cafés are now available in most cities, but we know from experience that it can be difficult to manage to visit such places other than during your own time or after the end of the day’s program. Most hotels in Sri Lanka have internet service, but expect slower connection compared to home. Some hotels charge extra for this.
Hygiene and drinking water
Hotels and larger restaurants usually meet modern / western standards. Out in the city and in the country, you can count on going to so-called pedal toilets, and that there is a lack of toilet paper. The standard of public toilets or in the countryside can thus be relatively primitive. Bring your own toilet paper, wet wipes and perhaps hand sanitizer (available at Swedish pharmacies, for example), so you will not be as dependent on access to water. You should not drink tap water, but instead buy bottled water.
