Book this trip in 3 steps
1Flights to Colombo
SriLankan Airlines flies non-stop from Heathrow to Colombo. Gulf airlines connect from airports across the UK.
2Hotels, night by night
A car and driver for the trip is normal in Sri Lanka and often arranged by your first hotel. Hotel searches open Booking.com for 2 adults; add children there.
3Tickets, transfers and the rest
When is it cheapest to fly?
The lowest recent return fare per person, by month, on our flight partner for London Heathrow → Colombo. Tap a month to see live prices.
Guide prices from recent searches. They may no longer be available.
Day by day
- Day1Arrive and head inland
Land at Colombo airport (near Negombo) and drive about 4 hours to Sigiriya or Habarana. Rest by the pool.
- Day2Sigiriya and elephants
Climb Sigiriya Rock early, before the heat (about 1,200 steps). Dambulla Cave Temple in the afternoon, or an evening jeep safari to see elephants at Minneriya or Kaudulla.
- Day3To Kandy
Drive about 2½ hours to Kandy, stopping at a spice garden in Matale. Evening visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a Kandyan dance show.
- Day4Gardens, tea and Colombo
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and a tea factory, then drive to Colombo (3–4 hours). Sunset on Galle Face Green.
- Day5Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple and Pettah market, then fly home.
Before you go
- ETA. British citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before they travel. It is free and valid for 30 days. Apply only through the official route linked from GOV.UK.
- Temples. Cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue.
- Weather. The two monsoons hit different coasts at different times; December to April suits this route best.
- Elephant safaris: choose jeeps in national parks over elephant rides.
Sources
Facts last checked on 2 November 2026. Opening days, schedules and entry rules change, so always check before you travel.