Travel essentials for Sri Lanka
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
Type D, G, M adapter required
Sri Lanka uses a mix of Type D, G and M sockets - often several types in one guesthouse. A universal adapter is the right buy. The voltage is 230V, the same as Australia.
230V, 50Hz
Tap water
Not safe to drink
Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Check the seal is intact when you buy it.
Staying connected
Good along the coast and in the hill country towns, patchier in national parks.
Data is very cheap in Sri Lanka and an eSIM is worth it for ride-hailing apps, which solve the tuk-tuk overcharging problem entirely.
Compare Sri Lanka eSIMsHealth risks
- Dengue fever, particularly in the wet season
- Traveller's diarrhoea from water and ice
- Strong rips on south and west coast beaches
- Road trauma - the bus and tuk-tuk mix is chaotic
Emergency numbers in Sri Lanka
| All emergencies | 119 police / 1990 ambulance |
|---|---|
| Police | 119 |
| Ambulance | 1990 |
| Fire | 110 |
| Australian consulate | Australian High Commission Colombo - +94 11 246 3200 |
Tipping and everyday costs
Expected in tourist settings. Around 10% in restaurants where service is not included, a few hundred rupees for a driver per day, and small notes for hotel staff.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More Sri Lanka essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
Sri Lanka travel essentials FAQs
What power adapter do I need for Sri Lanka?
A universal one. Sri Lanka uses Type D, G and M sockets, often several types within a single guesthouse. The voltage is 230V, the same as Australia, so only the plug shape varies.
Planning Sri Lanka?
We will send you the Sri Lanka guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.