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Everything you need to know about travelling to Sri Lanka from the UK.
You’re in the right place.
If you’re heading to Sri Lanka, you’re in for a fantastic trip. But whatever your itinerary is, there are a few things you need to sort out once you’ve found your passport.
And possibly the most pressing question to ask is:
Do I need a visa for my trip to Sri Lanka?
The short answer is yes!
Know you want to visit Sri Lanka but haven’t booked anything yet? Check out our adventure-heavy itinerary, jam-packed with all the very best (and least-known) Sri Lankan highlights: The Best of Sri Lanka!
Getting a visa for Sri Lanka from the UK
Anyone visiting Sri Lanka from the UK will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA – that’s the fancy name for visa when you’re travelling to Sri Lanka). Your ETA will be valid for 30 days.
You can apply for an ETA on the ETA website here.
There are facilities to apply upon arrival but as ever with international travel, it’s always good to be prepared and you can apply on the ETA website before you travel.
On top of that, you’ll also need at least 6 months left on your passport upon arrival, although anyone traveling from the UK is probably used to that by now.
You must also complete an online embarkation to travel to Sri Lanka from the UK
There’s an online form you’ll need to fill in when you’re travelling to Sri Lanka from the UK, on top of applying for your visa. It’s called the Online Embarcation Form, and you can apply for it HERE.
Don’t worry, there’s no charge to do so, and you only need to complete the form three days prior to your arrival date.
Covid and Yellow Fever
Great news here, there are currently no Covid requirements for travelling to Sri Lanka from the UK. Always best to check the Gov.uk website in the run-up to your trip though, these things can change at short notice.
Little different on the Yellow Fever front – there’s currently no risk of Yellow Fever in Sri Lanka BUT…
You do (currently) need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you’re over 9 months old – and let’s face it, if you’re reading this, you probably are – and if you’re arriving from a country where there is a risk of Yellow Fever transmission.
You can keep on top of the latest vaccination recommendations and requirements for Sri Lanka on the Travel Health Pro website here.
What else do I need for my trip to Sri Lanka? Cash!
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean and a superb travel destination for anyone considering making the trip. Expect stunning beaches, lush green mountains, ancient temples and friendly people wherever you are.
As ever when travelling abroad, you’ll need currency. Of course, you may well have debit and credit cards but you’ll definitely need cash during your trip.
And for that, you’ll need Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR), which you can find at most banks and currency exchange bureaus in Sri Lanka if you don’t intend on getting any before you head off.
When you’re packing, you’ll need to think about what time of year it is because while Sri Lanka is generally warm year-round, there are differences in humidity over the seasons.
The dry season is from November to April while the rest of the time can bring with it that familiar sticky humidity that we all know so well.
And remember, a comprehensive travel insurance policy is ALWAYS a must. Find out more about adventure travel insurance in our handy guide here.
The very best way to visit Sri Lanka is with The Bucket List Company
Now you know what travel requirements there are to travel to Sri Lanka from the UK, here’s how you should do it.
Our Best of Sri Lanka itinerary is jam-packed full of adventure, immersing you in the rich history and cultural heritage of this amazing country. It really is a tropical paradise, where ancient wonders, vibrant wildlife and diverse landscapes await, and with The Bucket List Company you’ll see every last bit.
Discover the abundance of flora and fauna in Willpattu and Yala National Parks, the profound spirituality of Sri Lanka’s myriad religious sites and the glowing warmth of the people you meet – and that’s just the start.
And when you visit Sri Lanka with The Bucket List Company, you benefit from travelling with a likeminded group of adventure-junkies, with every single aspect of the trip carefully thought through. You’ll love our UK and local guides, the carefully-selected accommodation and food, and it doesn’t hurt that there’s nothing for you to think about, with all the organising taken off your hands.
The manageable monthly payment instalments are a nice bonus too.
If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the itinerary and available dates below, book your trip of a lifetime and sort that visa out. If you don’t do it now…will you ever?
