Colombo on a backpacker budget
Colombo costs a backpacker about €22 a day before a bed. Here is what that covers, where to sleep near the centre, and which overland corridors run through it.
Modelled estimates, not quotes. Last rebuilt 2026-09-23.
What to see
Pettah market, Galle Face green.
Eating
Rice and curry €2.
Beds near the centre
Distances are from the city centre point the planner uses.
| Haven Fort Hostel | hostel | 1.0 km |
| Salvation Army Hostel | hostel | 1.2 km |
| Colomba Gedara | guest house | 0.8 km |
| Benchmark Holidays | hotel | 0.5 km |
| Shalimar Hotel | hotel | 0.6 km |
Markets and cheap eats
| Cey Nor Sea Fish | market | 0.6 km |
| Maradana Market - Mariya Kade | market | 0.8 km |
| Street Market | market | 1.0 km |
Nearest hospital
Worth knowing before you need it.
| Asiri Central Hospital | emergency | 1.2 km |
Routes through Colombo
Costed corridors that pass through, each with the full leg-by-leg breakdown.
Next stops on the network
Common questions
How much does Colombo cost per day?
Budget about €22 a day for food and local transport, plus a bed. A dorm bunk runs around €9, a twin room about €25, and a small guesthouse room about €34. Two people sharing a twin usually beat two dorm beds here.
What is worth seeing in Colombo?
Pettah market, Galle Face green.
Where do you eat cheaply in Colombo?
Rice and curry €2.
Build a route that runs through Colombo, costed end to end.
Open the planner