SIM Cards
The best SIM card for traveling in Sri Lanka will depend on the length of your stay, how much data you think you will consume, and your budget. You will also need to choose between a prepaid SIM card like Dialog or Mobitel or an eSIM card.
While traveling, your home carrier may offer international roaming, but rates can be very high, so purchasing a SIM card in Sri Lanka is a better option for affordability and connectivity. With moderate use, 2-3GB of data can last for a 1-2 week trip, while 5-10GB is recommended for longer stays of 2-4 weeks, but may not be suitable for digital nomads or for heavy streaming use.
Many tourists found Dialog to be the best SIM card for traveling in Sri Lanka. This is because they offer widespread 4G and 5G connectivity along with affordable packages and unlimited data plans if you need constant access to the internet. It’s worth taking a look at other providers if you’re on a tight budget or plan on staying in the country long-term.
Here, we’ll take a look at the best SIM card providers as well as a comparison table to give you a comprehensive overview of what's on the market and what alternative options you can consider.
A Sri Lanka travel SIM card can help a lot in reducing any cost you incur from unnecessary roaming charges for getting access to your home country's mobile service abroad.
Local SIM cards or an eSIM card not only help you avoid these exorbitant fees, but they also provide you with a local number. It is easier to get around the country by calling locals, booking reservations, and getting on the internet at a low cost.
Sri Lanka has a range of mobile service providers that each offer their own packages that will suit different people. We’ll break down the important features of the top providers in the Sri Lanka SIM card list below:
| Provider | Plans | Pricing | Validity Period | Data |
| Dialog | 3 different options | $4.66/5.99/7.99 | 30 days | 20/30/50 GB |
| Mobitel | 3 different options | $2.66/5.32/17.30 | 7/30 days | 15/30/Unlimited GB |
| Airtel | Range | $0.16 - 4.67 | 1 day - 30 days | 1 - 30 GB |
| Hutch | Range | $1.33 - 7.99 | 1 day - 30 days | 1 - 100 GB |
Dialog has three different plans that are designed for tourists. They each have a 30-day validity period, making them great for getting around for a month in the country. These include both data and voice calls. Lonely Planet notes that Dialog is the best option for strong 4G coverage, and parts of the capital, Colombo, have 5G service.
Their offers range from $4.66 for 20 GB to $5.99 for 30 GB and $7.99 for 50 GB. This means even a small plan can help with a short stay in Sri Lanka. Unlimited data plans are also available for between 1-7 days, with the week-long, maximum speed plan costing $6.65.
Mobitel has a 7-day package and two 30-day plans for tourists. These include unlimited local calls along with 1000 text messages in Sri Lanka on any network. If you’re planning on traveling outside of the capital to rural areas, Mobitel offers the widest coverage.
The weekly plan offers 15 GB and costs $2.66. The 30 GB package goes up to $5.32, while an unlimited data plan for tourists caps out at $17.30. If you want to go for a smaller plan, you can buy more data as you go. You can get an extra 8.4 GB for about $2.13, while $4.66 will get you an additional 20 GB of data.
Airtel’s range of packages means you can find a plan to best suit your needs. They start at $0.16 and go up to $4.67. This also provides more flexibility based on how long you’ll be in Sri Lanka, as the validity periods range from 1 to 30 days, as well as between 1 and 30 GB of data.
Airtel provides a more affordable option with pretty good 4G coverage in major cities, but may not be as suitable for staying connected in rural areas.
Hutch offers good coverage in built-up areas and affordable data packages. You can get a 4 GB plan for $1.33, while a 21 GB deal comes in at $3.99, offering a competitive rate. Their highest data plan provides 100 GB for about $7.99.
Hutch is similar to Airtel in affordability and coverage in major cities, but you can get the SIM card for free with a purchase of a top-up or plan.
There are several factors you should consider while choosing the best SIM card in Sri Lanka for tourists. They are network coverage, data packs, ease of activation, and customer support.
You are able to buy a SIM card for Sri Lanka before you go or upon arrival. There are websites like SimCorner where you can buy a SIM card beforehand. These are more expensive, however, at around $18.63 for just 10 GB to as much as $31.94 for 15 GB.
Major airports in the country, like Bandaranaike International Airport or Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, will have facilities where you can buy a SIM card on arrival. Other options will include:
Purchasing at an official store means the seller will be able to provide you with an explanation and answer any questions you might have. You should have your passport ready and ask in advance if the store is cash only or if you can pay by credit or debit card.
First of all, you might be asking yourself what an eSIM is. It is a virtual SIM card that is installed in your phone, so you will not require a physical SIM card. That implies that you will be able to switch and alter different mobile plans without having to swap SIM cards.
Instead of needing to switch SIM cards inside your phone itself, you could just scan a QR code or register online to prepare yourself while traveling abroad to another country.
Compared to a standard SIM card, you can quickly change where you need data without fiddling with small physical cards that could easily be misplaced or lost. They’re also more eco-friendly since they reduce plastic waste from creating a physical card.
You can furthermore get set up right away without having to wait for your physical card to arrive, making it easier to plan for your trips. There are a lot of differences between eSIM vs SIM cards, but these are the main things you should know.
Most tourists have found Dialog to be the most appropriate for traveling around Sri Lanka. This is considered one of Sri Lanka’s best SIM cards because of the wide 4G and 5G connectivity and excellent service at a competitive rate, but it offers appropriate packages for different needs.
Other good options include Mobitel for superior connectivity and great internet data offers, or you might find Airtel more appropriate if you have a limited budget and would like to have greater control over how much you use.
Locally, you can expect to spend between LKR (Sri Lankan Rupee) 100 and LKR 500 for a physical SIM card. This converts to about $0.33 to $1.67. This price can depend on the provider and what plan you’re going for, as this low price point may only cover the cost of the physical SIM card.
Hutch will provide you with the SIM card for free once you purchase a plan, whereas Dialog and Mobitel might charge a fee for the physical card. You’ll need to keep in mind that the physical card is just one expense, and the data plan will be purchased separately.
In Sri Lanka, you usually need to show your passport to buy a SIM card. You can obtain these at the airport or any local retail outlet like Singer or Softlogic. That is because you need to register the SIM card with your ID. Getting the SIM card at an airport is a convenient setup since you already have your passport with you.
It is also advised by the U.S. Department of State that American nationals carry with them some form of identification, such as a passport, when abroad in Sri Lanka.
Yes, you may purchase a local Sri Lankan SIM card before you arrive in the country, but if you're doing it for a physical SIM card, then you should wait until you get there to purchase one. You'll probably be waiting quite some time to receive your physical card, and you'll get better value if there is an expiration time once you've purchased the SIM card.
You can buy a SIM card at a shop or a kiosk in the country's major airports, while others like Mobitel provide an eSIM, so you can activate your SIM before you arrive in the country.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
Reviews
