HostelHound

Ella

Sri Lanka · Price calendar

Low Mid High

Last updated 2 days ago

Embed this →
Check-in
Not selected
Check-out
Not selected
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

How much do hostels in Ella cost?

Available dorm-bed prices in Ella, Sri Lanka range from $3 to $38/night over the next 3 months. HostelHound compares 50 hostels.

On a typical date, the cheapest available dorm bed is around $3.

At $3/night and up, Ella is one of the more affordable hostel destinations in Sri Lanka.

How these prices work: Hostelworld listings, based on one night and the selected dorm-bed type. “Typical starting price” is the median of daily minimum prices across 36 contributing properties—not the typical hostel’s price. Amounts are converted to USD; verify availability and final taxes and fees on Hostelworld. Filters can narrow the advertised results below, but this summary remains citywide. Latest city scrape: 2026-10-05T07:35:50.544Z.

Other cities in Sri Lanka

Check a hostel’s price history

Open a tracked hostel to see its own recent prices in Ella.

Show all 50 hostels

Local knowledge for Ella

Where to stay

Most budget guesthouses cluster along Main Street and the hillside lanes that branch off toward the Ella Rock trailhead. The further you get from the train station, the quieter and often cheaper the stays get.

Getting around

  • Get to the Nine Arch Bridge before 8am. Tour groups arrive mid-morning, and the soft light before the mist burns off makes for a better view anyway.
  • Book the Kandy-to-Ella train (3rd class, around 500 LKR) at least three days ahead in high season. Unreserved means standing for six hours through the hill country.
  • Skip the restaurants facing Main Street and eat at the smaller spots up the side lanes. Same rice and curry, noticeably lower prices, and no one pushing you toward a set menu.

When to go

Hostels fill up and prices climb from December through April when the hill country is dry. May and June bring fewer crowds and softer rates before the summer wave returns.

Frequently asked questions

How much do hostels in Ella cost?

On a typical date, the cheapest available dorm bed is around $3. Dorm beds currently range from $3 to $38/night across the next 3 months of availability.

How many hostels does HostelHound track in Ella?

HostelHound currently tracks 50 hostels in Ella, Sri Lanka.

Is Ella affordable compared to other hostel cities in Sri Lanka?

Ella is one of the more affordable hostel destinations in Sri Lanka, with dorm prices starting from $3/night.

Where do backpackers stay in Ella?

Most budget guesthouses cluster along Main Street and the hillside lanes that branch off toward the Ella Rock trailhead. The further you get from the train station, the quieter and often cheaper the stays get.

What is the best time of year to visit Ella?

Hostels fill up and prices climb from December through April when the hill country is dry. May and June bring fewer crowds and softer rates before the summer wave returns.