Networks
- Networks for Sri LankaHutch
- Speed4G/LTE on this network.
- Internet runs viaNetherlandsDepending on the plan. Banking or streaming apps may treat you as being there.
This list is live from our catalog. A Sri Lanka plan covers the island wherever its network reaches.
PickMe and Uber
PickMe and Uber work in Colombo and other cities. Outside the tourist areas, fewer drivers are on the apps, so a tuk-tuk from the street is often quicker.
- With an app, the fare is usually shown before you ride: no haggling
- Hailing a tuk-tuk on the street: agree the price first or pick one with a working meter
- Share your live trip with a friend on longer rides, which needs data
The Kandy to Ella train
The ride through the tea hills is one of the highlights of the trip, and the signal drops in and out along the way. That is fine for scenery, less so for a video call.
- Download your Ella guesthouse location, offline maps and music on Wi‑Fi in Kandy
- Keep your ticket as a screenshot
- Post the photos once you are in Ella: uploads stall in the gaps
- Stay inside the carriage: the UK Foreign Office reports fatal accidents when visitors hung out of open doors or windows
South coast, Yala and the tea country
| What to sort out with data beforehand | |
|---|---|
| Galle, Mirissa, Unawatuna | Whale-watching and surf bookings, tuk-tuk to the next beach |
| Yala safari | Pick-up time and the driver’s WhatsApp: follow your guide inside the park |
| Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Ella | Offline maps for hikes such as Little Adam’s Peak, plus the train times |
| Sigiriya and Dambulla | Ticket and route saved before an early start |
Prefer a daily allowance? 1 GB per day · 7 days for €17.99: full speed up to 1 GB a day, then 512 Kbps until the next day.
Picked like in our shop: the cheapest plan with about 0.7 GB a day. Live prices for Sri Lanka.
Local SIM or eSIM
A local SIM is sold at the airport and in phone shops, usually against your passport, and replaces your home SIM on single-SIM phones. The eSIM is installed before you fly and works from arrival, while your own number stays reachable.
Combining Sri Lanka with India? The Southern Asia plan can cover both: check its live country list. The Maldives need their own Maldives plan.
Set it up before you go
Questions and answers
Does PickMe work with a travel eSIM?
Yes. PickMe and Uber use the eSIM’s data; sign-up codes by SMS go to your own number, so keep your home SIM switched on.
Is there signal on the Kandy to Ella train?
In parts. It comes and goes in the hills, so download what you need before you board.
Does a Sri Lanka plan work in the Maldives?
No. A Sri Lanka plan covers Sri Lanka only.
How much data do I need for two weeks?
About 10 GB covers maps, rides, messages and some social media.
Can I share the data with my travel partner?
Yes, through your phone’s hotspot, which usually works with our plans. Both of you then use one allowance, so choose a bigger plan.
Can I top up if I stay longer?
Yes, on plans marked “Top-up possible”, under My eSIMs, while the plan is still valid.
When does my Sri Lanka plan start?
When your phone first connects to a network in Sri Lanka, usually right after landing.
Updated 20 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.
Sources: GOV.UK: Sri Lanka travel advice, safety and security
