A FIRST-TIMER’S GUIDE TO USING PUBLIC & PRIVATE TRANSPORT IN SRI LANKA
csr
October 22, 2024
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The main way to come srilanka is by air Katunayaka international airport is the main commercial airport which is near to the commercial capital Colombo silanka. Srilankan airlines operate daily flights from London, Melbourne, Dubai, Maldives, and Frankfurt mostly from the Indian sectors. Apart from srilankan airlines Emirates, Qatar airways and Turkish airlines operate daily flight from Dubai, Qatar and Istanbul. There are few other airlines operate to srilanka such as air France, Aeroflot, azure air, fly Dubai, Oman air and air Asia. Other airports are Mattala international airport which is situated in down south, Rathmalana airport in Colombo and Jaffana airport in Jaffna srilanka.
There are few passenger ships are coming to srilanka through Colombo, Galle, Trinco and Hambantota ports if you are sailing or cruising you can use that method too.
Visas are requiring entering to the Srilanka. You can obtain ETA (electronic travel authorization) via official website www.eta.gov.lk or else you can get on arrival visa at the airport. If you are travelling form NEPAL, PAKISTAN, NIGERIA, AFGANISTAN you cannot get on arrival visa.
On arrival visa can get only 30 days dual entry tourist visa, children under 12 are free of charge.
Online via above website can get same 30 days dual entry tourist visa and 180 days dual entry (within 30days) tourist visa. Business visa and other visas only available in online.
All Tourist Visa can extended through official website www.eta.gov.lk or you can directly go to the head office Colombo it’s open Monday to Friday in office hours except public holidays.
Over stay charges will be calculated with the penalty of 500$ + the Visa fee for each person.
You can change all major currency in srilanka through the banks and the authorized places. At the airport in arrival lobby you have that facility too. Most of the hotels, restaurants and local shops are accepting US DOLLER, EURO, STELING POUND and AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS and also you can withdraw money from the ATM machine all over the island.
You can get sim card at the airport with some discount and promotions. There are plenty of places to buy sim card in everywhere. Don’t depend on the price because a low price network provider doesn’t have good coverage all over the county. Remember to activate data package for you sim card because internet is quite expensive in here. There are some rural places doesn’t have internet or mobile network at all.
You can use public transport trains and buses to travel around the country for cheaper price. Trains are usually packed to the door so if you are solo traveler or back packed its ok but if you are with you family make reservation or use 1st class don’t forget to experience Nanuoya to Ella train ride.
For the short distance you can use tuk-tuk but remember to ask the price most of them have meter in the tuk-tuk. Famous uber and local pick-me app available in city areas. For comfortable journey you can rent a vehicle self-drive or with the driver.
Don’t drink tap water in srilanka it doesn’t mean tap water are polluted all the locals are using that but better to use bottle water all the time even at the hotel.
Carry toilet paper when you are outside the hotel because in srilanka they don’t use dry toilets. Better to keep in hand if you are preferred dry.
Be aware of full moon poya day because that is holiday for all government and some private workers. Alcohol are not serving on that day liquor shops are close.
You should have to remove your shoes and cover your shoulders and kneels before entering to the Buddhist temple and some religious places in srilanka.
In srilanka all vehicles are driving on left side so be aware of thet when you are renting self-diving vehicle.
Don’t trust Google map outside the cities too much in srilanka. It doesn’t work proper in rural areas.
Always concern about food hygiene when you are experience in street foods.
For better comfortable and unforgettable experience in srilanka recommended to plan your trip with local travel agency it’s save your time, less stress all are well planned and maximum outcome for the money you spend. www.ceylonsilkroute.com
