Going to Sri Lanka - Need some advice

[sinnersaint]

AOA brothers...

I'm planning to go to Sri Lanka after Eid. Need some advise with following.

- Flight
Should I go with Sri Lankan airlines or are there any other good alternates?

- SIM
I'm not sure if my current telenor sim would work outside Pakistan. What should I do about the SIM? I don't have any idea about the roaming and stuff. Any advise plz?

- Money
a. Which currency should I take with me? Dollars or Sri Lankan rupees?
b. Should I carry cash or deposit money in my mcb-lite account card or carry travelers cheque? (and where to get these travelers cheques from?)

 

[MonoQ]

Srilankan airlines sux ...except for the black&white hostesses...nothing good about it.. better look for alt airways like emirates etc..
Call Telenor helpline and activate roaming on ur sim so that it works there. However, u can get cheaper traveller's sim connections at the destination airport to use there.

Take both Dollars + Srilankan rupees.. U can cash the remaining dollars to srilankan currency since u'd be getting good exchange rates over there.
now this is IMPORTANT, make sure the dollars u take are not stapld but fresh notes. I had this unfortunate incident where i had to use my credit card because most of the good hotels won't take stapled dollars at all due to their bank rules. It happend at Maldives though (just next to srilanka), but I make sure i carry good enough notes or ample amount in my credit card.

Baki trav cheques ka not much idea. However, any debit , credit card can be used abroad..so no issues. Credit is a much better option if u have it.
Happy shopping..

 

[K3yser]

Went there loong time back so details are pretty sketchy... but its an awesome place! awesome and cheap as heck.

Its a 2.5 hour flight from khi-lanka, I'd be happy with whatever gets me there cheapest.

SIMS are dime a dozen everywhere I'd advise you get something from overthere.

Regarding monies, dollars rule! Ive never relied on credit cards/TCs while travelling... so buying usd from any good local money exchanger is a good idea. Dont use TCs. NEVER use TCs unless you're travelling to USA.

 

[sinnersaint]

Srilankan airlines sux ...except for the black&white hostesses...nothing good about it.. better look for alt airways like emirates etc..
Call Telenor helpline and activate roaming on ur sim so that it works there. However, u can get cheaper traveller's sim connections at the destination airport to use there.

Take both Dollars + Srilankan rupees.. U can cash the remaining dollars to srilankan currency since u'd be getting good exchange rates over there.
now this is IMPORTANT, make sure the dollars u take are not stapld but fresh notes. I had this unfortunate incident where i had to use my credit card because most of the good hotels won't take stapled dollars at all due to their bank rules. It happend at Maldives though (just next to srilanka), but I make sure i carry good enough notes or ample amount in my credit card.

Baki trav cheques ka not much idea. However, any debit , credit card can be used abroad..so no issues. Credit is a much better option if u have it.
Happy shopping..

- Thanks Brother. Sri Lankan is cheap, Emirates is quite expensive and it doesn't go directly.
- Will check with Telenor how much they will charge (loot) me for the roaming. Any idea if I get a local sri lankan sim, would it cost me less to call from there or my family to call from here in Pakistan
- Will check the dollars before purchasing. Thanks for the tip!

 

[assasin42o]

- Thanks Brother. Sri Lankan is cheap, Emirates is quite expensive and it doesn't go directly.
- Will check with Telenor how much they will charge (loot) me for the roaming. Any idea if I get a local sri lankan sim, would it cost me less to call from there or my family to call from here in Pakistan
- Will check the dollars before purchasing. Thanks for the tip!

- Fly on cheapest possible airlines. Just 2.5hr flight will save you some money.

- If you have a Visa Debit card, it would work. (Eg. Standard Ch)

- Don't go for international roaming. These guys charge alot. If I were you, I would've sticked to whatsapp. Or buy a sim there if calling is mandatory.

Sent from my LG L9

 

[Kane]

Not crapping but I have a prepaid debit card Mcblite 1 can I use it in Atm machines abroad also for accommodation food and shopping?

 

[MonoQ]

- Thanks Brother. Sri Lankan is cheap, Emirates is quite expensive and it doesn't go directly.
- Will check with Telenor how much they will charge (loot) me for the roaming. Any idea if I get a local sri lankan sim, would it cost me less to call from there or my family to call from here in Pakistan
- Will check the dollars before purchasing. Thanks for the tip!

i agree..itnay thoray time ki flight mei cheaper is the best option
and obviously a srilankan sim would be a cheaper option combined with their int call packages.
using local pakistani sims would not get u any INT packages..so u have to rely on roaming charges which are not cheap

- - - Updated - - -

Not crapping but I have a prepaid debit card Mcblite 1 can I use it in Atm machines abroad also for accommodation food and shopping?

ifs its a visa card...moreover, it would be mentioned on their site.. I dont suppose the LITE version == for kids only with limited amount in them to be used for online only

 

[sinnersaint]

- Fly on cheapest possible airlines. Just 2.5hr flight will save you some money.
- If you have a Visa Debit card, it would work. (Eg. Standard Ch)
- Don't go for international roaming. These guys charge alot. If I were you, I would've sticked to whatsapp. Or buy a sim there if calling is mandatory.
Sent from my LG L9

- Its around 4 hours flight and sri lankan seems to be the cheapest one
- Would mcb-lite card work? That is the only thing I have rite now.
- I was thinking the same but you know sometimes the call quality is not so good on these apps. But anyways, I can call from sri lanka to Pakistan if there is anything urgent. That would be the best option I think...?

- - - Updated - - -

i agree..itnay thoray time ki flight mei cheaper is the best option
and obviously a srilankan sim would be a cheaper option combined with their int call packages.
using local pakistani sims would not get u any INT packages..so u have to rely on roaming charges which are not cheap

- - - Updated - - -



ifs its a visa card...moreover, it would be mentioned on their site.. I dont suppose the LITE version == for kids only with limited amount in them to be used for online only

I also have mcb-lite 1, maybe if I convert it to mcb-lite 2, I can use it abroad? But any idea if there would be any hidden extra charges?

 

[Rip Uzair]

MCB lite is a visa card and it would work anywhere visa card is accepted(Do check if the card limits are according to your needs). Oh 1 thing, do call your bank now to confirm if it'll work outside Pakistan. Thats because sometimes they require you to call and get it enabled.(happened with a debit card I had). Credit cards works flawlessly. I'd suggest that you use your card first(at places that seem reliable) rather than cash. You should try to save cash as back up just in case the card wouldn't work for any reason.

The best option is to always to get a local sim because it would guarantee coverage and would cheaper. Getting international roaming on your sim would be expensive and its possible if it might not work; atleast not in time.(happened to me with a mobilink sim). However it is possible that their mobile scratch cards etc might not be in english, which can cause some inconvenience but you should easily be able to get help for that.

 

[sinnersaint]

Went there loong time back so details are pretty sketchy... but its an awesome place! awesome and cheap as heck.

Its a 2.5 hour flight from khi-lanka, I'd be happy with whatever gets me there cheapest.

SIMS are dime a dozen everywhere I'd advise you get something from overthere.

Regarding monies, dollars rule! Ive never relied on credit cards/TCs while travelling... so buying usd from any good local money exchanger is a good idea. Dont use TCs. NEVER use TCs unless you're travelling to USA.

Thanks bro, why not TCs?

 

[cobby]

Went in January 4 days at Lanka then went to Kuala Lumpur .

1) Sri lankan air lines , the flight aren't comfortable much , but are the cheapest plus the food they offer is good .

2) at airport there are many telecommunication companies there talk to them and get the best sim , I didn't bought any I relayed on wifi , which by the way sucks there Internet sucks , even at airport it's fucking turtle speed slow .

3) currency take dollars Man U can easily get them change , but do take some of the local currency .

things to watch out :

food , there airline food is good , but there Restaurants foods suck big time , apart from few muslim Resturants but muslim areas are dirty to , rest of the places are clean .

if u are a smoker watch out mate , cigarette are fucking way to expensive 800 PKR per one dabba of gold leaf , plus they stare like u are a rapist if u smoke in public .

dont buy Pepsi pr coke there mate that's 100 Rs per bottle , while local company carbonated drinks are way to cheap .

if u know how to ride a bike u can get it on rent , that I prefer and ride along the way , instead of relaying on taxis etc.

at night time watch out ur self although crimes not as we have here , but still some petty thieves are there.

 

[K3yser]

Thanks bro, why not TCs?

Used to have American express TCs and yes they were perhaps the most reliable form of currency when travelling. Especially when you were travelling to dangerous places like somewhere in Africa. But I don't know since early 2005 except in Western countries theyre frowning on TCs. Awhile back my family got stuck while going for Umrah as the banks/money exchangers wont even look at TCs. One bank in Medina even showed me a notice saying TCs are not to be accepted in the whole of middle east!!

Since the we've been veryc cautious in carrying TCs. Havent been to Europe or US since then maybe theyre getting accepted there.

 

[sinnersaint]

Brothers, need some advise please. For the booking of hotel, should I do it with my mcb card or bank transfer?

Sent from my SM-T805 using Tapatalk

 

[murtaza12]

Brothers, need some advise please. For the booking of hotel, should I do it with my mcb card or bank transfer?

Sent from my SM-T805 using Tapatalk

Bank transfer is a better idea.
If you're doing it through a travel agent, then I'd even recommend cash.

Sent from my SM-G900F

 

[sinnersaint]

Bank transfer is a better idea.
If you're doing it through a travel agent, then I'd even recommend cash.

Sent from my SM-G900F

I'm thinking of doing it myself online through mcb lite. Any idea what i've to do for bank transfer

 

[murtaza12]

I'm thinking of doing it myself online through mcb lite. Any idea what i've to do for bank transfer

Not sure if MCB Lite works with paying for hotels and stuff. I thought it was for small amounts only.
Bank transfer will obviously depend on how you're booking.
Travel agent, or directly with the hotel (which can possibly be more costly).

Sent from my SM-G900F

 

[sinnersaint]

Not sure if MCB Lite works with paying for hotels and stuff. I thought it was for small amounts only.
Bank transfer will obviously depend on how you're booking.
Travel agent, or directly with the hotel (which can possibly be more costly).

Sent from my SM-G900F

I've checked with mcb helpline and they told that it works outside Pakistan as well. They charge pkr.250 or 2.75% of transaction amount. Mcb lite 2 has more limits. So I guess online transfer through mcb seems to be the best option rite now

 

[hatim]

Book with a credit card, pay with cash when you checkout.

 

[sinnersaint]

Book with a credit card, pay with cash when you checkout.

thanks bro. I just checked with one of the hotels which is not much pricey and they don't have any online booking system - only bank transfer. The bank transfer will cost me around 23usd.

Anyone knows if it can be done cheaply?

 

[hatim]

thanks bro. I just checked with one of the hotels which is not much pricey and they don't have any online booking system - only bank transfer. The bank transfer will cost me around 23usd.

Anyone knows if it can be done cheaply?

I would avoid any hotel that does not accept credit cards. Credit cards will protect you if something goes wrong; with bank transfer you won't get your money back no matter what.