India to Sri Lanka Ferry Ticket Price, Route and Booking
The only India to Sri Lanka passenger ferry runs Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai. Ticket prices, timings, the visa you need, and how to book at sailindsri.com.
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There is only one scheduled passenger ferry between India and Sri Lanka right now, and it runs from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai near Jaffna. If you have read older articles listing half a dozen ships with cheap fares, ignore them; most of those services do not exist. Below is the route that actually sails in 2026, what a ticket costs, how long the crossing takes, and where to book.
Is there a ship from India to Sri Lanka?
Yes, but only one regular passenger service. A high-speed craft sails between Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu) and Kankesanthurai, the port for Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. It first started in October 2023, paused during the monsoon and for technical work, and resumed in August 2024. It is operated commercially by IndSri Ferry Service Pvt Ltd with support from the Indian and Sri Lankan governments.
Routes you may have seen mentioned, such as Rameswaram to Talaimannar or Thoothukudi to Colombo, have been proposed and discussed but are not running as passenger services at the time of writing. There is no regular car ferry and no cheap cargo-ship passage for tourists; this fast ferry carries foot passengers only.
India to Sri Lanka ferry ticket price
The ferry has two seating classes. After a fare revision in 2025 the reported prices were around ₹5,000 for an economy seat and around ₹7,500 for a premium seat, one way, before taxes and fees. Fares are set by the operator and change with fuel costs and the season, so treat these as a guide and confirm the live price when you book.
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| Class | Approx. one-way fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | around ₹5,000 | Standard seat, the bulk of the cabin |
| Premium | around ₹7,500 | Fewer seats, more space |
Taxes are added on top, and a return ticket costs roughly double a single. Children and infants are charged at different rates. Because this is international travel, the fare does not include your Sri Lanka visa or any onward transport from Kankesanthurai.
Route, distance and journey time
The crossing is about 110 kilometres of open sea and takes roughly three to four hours depending on conditions. The ferry generally leaves Nagapattinam at 7:00 am IST and reaches Kankesanthurai late morning, then returns from Kankesanthurai in the early afternoon and is back in Nagapattinam by evening. It usually runs one round trip a day, and sailings are cut back or suspended during rough monsoon weather, so always check the current timetable before you travel.
What you need before you sail
This is a full international border crossing, not a domestic hop, so paperwork matters as much as the ticket.
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- Passport: valid for at least six months.
- Sri Lanka visa or ETA: arrange your electronic travel authorisation before you leave India.
- Ticket confirmation: booked in your passport name.
- Luggage: a free allowance of around 22 kg per passenger is usually included, with charges for excess.
Immigration and customs are cleared at the port, so arrive early, and carry some Sri Lankan rupees or a card for when you land.
How to book the India to Sri Lanka ferry
Tickets are sold by the ferry operator, not by the random travel sites that quote made-up ship names. Book online through the operator's official portal at sailindsri.com, or use its booking helpline. Seats are limited on a fast craft, and the service is popular with families visiting Jaffna, so reserve well ahead, especially around holidays.
Best time to take the ferry
The sea between Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka is calmest and the service most reliable outside the northeast monsoon, so roughly the drier months from around February to September see fewer cancellations. Sailings are the first thing to be suspended when the weather turns, so build a buffer day into your plans.
Planning the wider trip? See our guides on the Cordelia cruise from Mumbai and the Kochi to Lakshadweep ship ticket price for other sea routes from India.
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