As of November 12, 2026, Nepal is cheaper than Sri Lanka for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $48 in Nepal against $61 in Sri Lanka, a gap of 26.7%. Over the past year Sri Lanka has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+8.7% after inflation, against +6.1%). Both sit at US advisory Level 2. Sri Lanka is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Nepal | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $48 | $61 |
| Lean day | $21 | $26 |
| Comfortable day | $115 | $140 |
| Real change, 12 months | +6.1% | +8.7% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +5.8% | +9.8% |
| Versus 5-year average | +11.7% | +2.6% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 3.2 · Workable | 3.6 · Workable |
| Index score | 75 | 71 |
| Best months | Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar |
| Shoulder months | Feb, May, Dec | Apr, Sep, Nov |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
The Himalaya at teahouse prices.
The catchRoads are slow and domestic aviation has a poor safety record. Buy insurance that covers helicopter evacuation at altitude.
Beaches, tea country, safari and ruins inside one small island.
The catchRecovering from a 2022 sovereign default: prices have risen quickly and foreigner pricing at national sites is steep.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.