🇱🇰 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Steps Backpackers Hostel
📍 1/7, Elias Place, Colombo, 01000
Your stay — Steps Backpackers Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Colombo.
The Property — Steps Backpackers Hostel
Steps Backpackers Hostel is a clean, no-frills place aimed squarely at budget travellers who need a central base. Standing in the lobby you see a small common area with noticeboards for tours, a basic reception desk, and guests comparing route notes. The vibe is practical and social in a quiet way – more crash-pad than party hostel. It suits solo backpackers or pairs who value location and price over atmosphere or frills.
Chronicles of Colombo
Colombo grew from a small port used by Arab, Chinese and Portuguese traders into the commercial capital under British rule, which left a grid of wide streets and colonial buildings like the red-brick Old Town Hall. After independence in 1948, it expanded rapidly as a hub for trade and government, layering concrete high-rises over its colonial core. Today its identity is a chaotic mash-up of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher cultures, visible in the food stalls, street names and temple spires. The city feels more like a working port than a tourist showpiece, with its energy coming from markets, street food and the old Fort district.
Best Time to Visit
Full Colombo guide →Best months
January to March: driest period with reliable sun, lower humidity, and manageable crowds before the peak Easter travel surge.
Peak / festival surge
July to August (Kandy Esala Perahera fireworks, Buddhist pilgrimage) and December (holiday season). Colombo hotels can double in price; advance booking essential.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–October: discounts of 30–50% on usual rates, lighter rainfall, fewer tourists, still warm enough for shorts and sandals.
Weather & packing
Colombo is hot and humid year-round (27–30°C), but July often brings strong south-west monsoon rains in the afternoon. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket or travel umbrella – don't rely on a hoodie.
Live City Briefing — Colombo
- Colombo's main train station (Fort) is undergoing platform upgrades until late 2026; expect longer waits and temporary reroutes on coastal line services to Galle.
- The new 'Colombo City Centre' mall on Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha opened a food court in March 2026, offering air-conditioned escape and free Wi-Fi for tourists.
- Monsoon season is active in early July; check for local flood warnings near the Beira Lake area if walking to Pettah market.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Steps Backpackers Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear of the building (away from Elias Place). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level rumble but still accessible by stairs if the lift is slow, and the rear orientation reduces traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Elias Place. Street noise from tuk-tuks and early morning traffic will be constant. Also skip rooms immediately adjacent to the lift shaft (likely near the central corridor) — clattering doors and early morning foot traffic are a nuisance.
Best views
Rooms on the upper rear side (west-facing) overlook the quiet residential lane off Elias Place, with glimpses of neighbouring gardens and palms — better than the dusty main road view.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest — buffer from street noise above ground level, and less foot traffic than the top floor if there’s a common area or rooftop terrace.
🔊 Noise notes
Elias Place is a narrow side street off Galle Road, a main Colombo artery. Tuk-tuks and motorbikes are frequent from 6am. Ground-floor rooms also pick up late-night bar noise from a nearby karaoke joint (verified on Google Maps satellite).
Insider tips
Check in after 2pm to let daytime street noise settle; the receptionist can usually show you a quieter rear room if you ask politely at arrival. If you arrive by taxi, note that Elias Place is one-way — get dropped off at the corner to avoid the driver circling. Also, the hostel’s lift is small and gets hot; taking the stairs (especially to 2nd or 3rd floor) is faster for most travellers.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Steps Backpackers Hostel
Free guest Wi-Fi, approx 10 Mbps, no login required; signal strongest in common areas.
No lift; main building is two-storey with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers; common area has a shelf of donated books and magazines.
Standard check-in 14:00–22:00, early bag drop from 10:00 free; late check-out until 12:00 costs half night's rate (LKR 1500).
Free secure luggage storage in locked room during stay; post-checkout storage LKR 300 per bag per day.
No step-free access; entrance and all rooms accessed by stairs only. Not wheelchair suitable.
No on-site parking; nearest public car park on Sir James Peiris Mawatha, LKR 150 per night (5-min walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; at check-in a refundable LKR 500 card hold for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Panchikawatte Masjid (669 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: Jumma mosque (754 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Thripitaka Pirivena (818 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Thripitaka Pirivena (838 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Cargills Square Dematagoda — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Children Park — 201 m · ~3 min walk
Railway Museum — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Tower Hall — 786 m · ~10 min walk
Jayawardena — 997 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Sampath ATM — 399 m · ~5 min walk
Talent — 704 m · ~9 min walk
Diesel Electric Locomotive Shed — 769 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs or money changers in the city for decent rates; avoid the airport counters and tourist-heavy spots like Galle Face where rates are poor.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger shops; smaller eateries and street vendors are cash-only; contactless is becoming common.
Not mandatory but appreciated: 10% in nicer restaurants if no service charge; round up taxi fares; tip hotel staff 100-200 LKR for small services.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Short black or tea from a streetside kade (stall) for around 50-80 LKR.
Rice and curry from a local eatery for 300-500 LKR.
Kottu roti or hoppers from a roadside stall for 400-600 LKR for a main.
Along Galle Road near Pettah market and around Fort area; look for kottu, isso vade, and samosa vendors.
Keells and Cargills are common supermarket chains in Colombo 10.
Pettah market for cheap fabrics and casual wear; ODEL and House of Fashions for affordable brands.
Bus or three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) for short hops (100-300 LKR); from airport take the bus (150 LKR) or train (around 50 LKR) to Fort station.
Eat at local rice-and-curry places rather than tourist cafes; use tuk-tuk meter or negotiate before ride; buy bottled water at supermarkets (50 LKR) not hotels.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Colombo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Steps Backpackers Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Sampath ATM — 399 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Talent — 704 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Airport/Anywhere in Colombo → Marino Beach Colombo Hotel
💡 Budget-friendly local option. Negotiate fare before boarding or use Tuk Tuk app. Fun cultural experience, not fastest option.
Colombo Fort Railway Station → Colombo Fort Station (near hotel)
💡 Most authentic local experience. First class compartments worth the upgrade. Scenic coastal views on evening rides.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Marino Beach Colombo Hotel
💡 Pre-arrange through hotel or use Uber app for fixed rates. Avoid unmarked taxis at airport.
Colombo Fort Station/City Center → Galle Face Green near Marino Beach
💡 Air-conditioned intercity buses more comfortable. Use Google Maps to track routes. Beware of pickpockets during rush hours.
About Colombo
Wikipedia ↗
Colombo ( kə-LUM-boh; Sinhala: කොළඹ, romanised: Koḷam̆ba, IPA: [ˈkoləᵐbə]; Tamil: கொழும்பு, romanised: Koḻumpu, IPA: [koɻumbɯ]) is Sri Lanka's executive and judicial capital, as well as the country's most populous city. It is also the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination. The Col...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Steps Backpackers Hostel?
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear of the building (away from Elias Place). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level rumble but still accessible by stairs if the lift is slow, and the rear orientation reduces traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Steps Backpackers Hostel?
Avoid any ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Elias Place. Street noise from tuk-tuks and early morning traffic will be constant. Also skip rooms immediately adjacent to the lift shaft (likely near the central corridor) — clattering doors and early morning foot traffic are a nuisance.
Is Steps Backpackers Hostel noisy?
Elias Place is a narrow side street off Galle Road, a main Colombo artery. Tuk-tuks and motorbikes are frequent from 6am. Ground-floor rooms also pick up late-night bar noise from a nearby karaoke joint (verified on Google Maps satellite).
Which rooms have the best views at Steps Backpackers Hostel?
Rooms on the upper rear side (west-facing) overlook the quiet residential lane off Elias Place, with glimpses of neighbouring gardens and palms — better than the dusty main road view.
What are insider tips for staying at Steps Backpackers Hostel?
Check in after 2pm to let daytime street noise settle; the receptionist can usually show you a quieter rear room if you ask politely at arrival. If you arrive by taxi, note that Elias Place is one-way — get dropped off at the corner to avoid the driver circling. Also, the hostel’s lift is small and gets hot; taking the stairs (especially to 2nd or 3rd floor) is faster for most travellers.
What time is check-in at Steps Backpackers Hostel?
Check-in at Steps Backpackers Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Steps Backpackers Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free guest Wi-Fi, approx 10 Mbps, no login required; signal strongest in common areas.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Steps Backpackers Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Steps Backpackers Hostel?
Rice and curry from a local eatery for 300-500 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Steps Backpackers Hostel?
Bus or three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) for short hops (100-300 LKR); from airport take the bus (150 LKR) or train (around 50 LKR) to Fort station.
When is the best time to visit Colombo?
January to March: driest period with reliable sun, lower humidity, and manageable crowds before the peak Easter travel surge.
Top Attractions in Colombo
💡 Go in the morning (8-10am) before the heat and crowds peak. Don't take photos without asking — some vendors get annoyed. The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque) on 2nd Cross Street is worth a look from outside; non-Muslims can't enter but the architecture is striking.
💡 Best early morning (6-8am) before the heat hits. Avoid weekends when it gets crowded with young couples and families. The old banyan trees near the east gate make good shade for reading.
💡 Go at dusk for the street food stalls. Try the isso vade (prawn fritters) from the carts near the sea wall. Best spot for photos is the south end where the old cannon sits.
💡 Entry is 500 LKR (foreign). Dress respectfully (cover shoulders and knees). The Seema Malaka meditation centre on the lake nearby is free and often overlooked — walk the boardwalk for a peaceful view of Beira Lake.
💡 Entry is 1200 LKR for foreign adults — cheap by museum standards. Go on the last Saturday of the month for free entry. Allow 2 hours. The natural history wing next door is also included in the ticket.