travel far away sl

FAC Number: 2024-03 Effective Date: 02/23/2024

31.205-46 Travel costs.

(a) Costs for transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses.

(1) Costs incurred by contractor personnel on official company business are allowable, subject to the limitations contained in this subsection. Costs for transportation may be based on mileage rates, actual costs incurred, or on a combination thereof, provided the method used results in a reasonable charge. Costs for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses may be based on per diem, actual expenses, or a combination thereof, provided the method used results in a reasonable charge.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this subsection, costs incurred for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses (as defined in the regulations cited in (a)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section) shall be considered to be reasonable and allowable only to the extent that they do not exceed on a daily basis the maximum per diem rates in effect at the time of travel as set forth in the-

(i) Federal Travel Regulations, prescribed by the General Services Administration, for travel in the contiguous United States , available on a subscription basis from the-

Superintendent of Documents

U.S. Government Publishing Office

Washington DC 20402

Stock No.922-002-00000-2;

(ii) Joint Travel Regulation, Volume2, DoD Civilian Personnel, AppendixA, prescribed by the Department of Defense, for travel in Alaska, Hawaii, and outlying areas of the United States , available on a subscription basis from the-

Stock No.908-010-00000-1; or

(iii) Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas), Section 925, "Maximum Travel Per Diem Allowances for Foreign Areas," prescribed by the Department of State, for travel in areas not covered in (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this paragraph, available on a subscription basis from the-

Washington, DC 20402

Stock No.744-008-00000-0.

(3) In special or unusual situations, actual costs in excess of the above-referenced maximum per diem rates are allowable provided that such amounts do not exceed the higher amounts authorized for Federal civilian employees as permitted in the regulations referenced in (a)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section. For such higher amounts to be allowable, all of the following conditions must be met:

(i) One of the conditions warranting approval of the actual expense method, as set forth in the regulations referenced in paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section, must exist.

(ii) A written justification for use of the higher amounts must be approved by an officer of the contractor’s organization or designee to ensure that the authority is properly administered and controlled to prevent abuse.

(iii) If it becomes necessary to exercise the authority to use the higher actual expense method repetitively or on a continuing basis in a particular area, the contractor must obtain advance approval from the contracting officer .

(iv) Documentation to support actual costs incurred shall be in accordance with the contractor’s established practices, subject to paragraph (a)(7) of this section, and provided that a receipt is required for each expenditure of $75.00 or more. The approved justification required by paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section and, if applicable, paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section must be retained.

(4) Paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section do not incorporate the regulations cited in paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this section in their entirety. Only the maximum per diem rates, the definitions of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, and the regulatory coverage dealing with special or unusual situations are incorporated herein.

(5) An advance agreement (see 31.109 ) with respect to compliance with paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this subsection may be useful and desirable.

(6) The maximum per diem rates referenced in paragraph (a)(2) of this subsection generally would not constitute a reasonable daily charge-

(i) When no lodging costs are incurred; and/or

(ii) On partial travel days ( e.g., day of departure and return).

Appropriate downward adjustments from the maximum per diem rates would normally be required under these circumstances. While these adjustments need not be calculated in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation or Joint Travel Regulations, they must result in a reasonable charge.

(7) Costs shall be allowable only if the following information is documented-

(i) Date and place (city, town, or other similar designation) of the expenses;

(ii) Purpose of the trip; and

(iii) Name of person on trip and that person’s title or relationship to the contractor.

(b) Airfare costs in excess of the lowest priced airfare available to the contractor during normal business hours are unallowable except when such accommodations require circuitous routing, require travel during unreasonable hours, excessively prolong travel, result in increased cost that would offset transportation savings, are not reasonably adequate for the physical or medical needs of the traveler, or are not reasonably available to meet mission requirements. However, in order for airfare costs in excess of the above airfare to be allowable, the applicable condition(s) set forth above must be documented and justified.

(1) "Cost of travel by contractor-owned, -leased, or -chartered aircraft," as used in this paragraph, includes the cost of lease, charter, operation (including personnel), maintenance, depreciation , insurance , and other related costs .

(2) The costs of travel by contractor-owned, -leased, or -chartered aircraft are limited to the allowable airfare described in paragraph (b) of this section for the flight destination unless travel by such aircraft is specifically required by contract specification, term, or condition, or a higher amount is approved by the contracting officer . A higher amount may be agreed to when one or more of the circumstances for justifying higher than allowable airfare listed in paragraph (b) of this section are applicable, or when an advance agreement under paragraph (c)(3) of this section has been executed. In all cases, travel by contractor-owned, -leased, or -chartered aircraft must be fully documented and justified. For each contractor-owned, -leased, or -chartered aircraft used for any business purpose which is charged or allocated, directly or indirectly, to a Government contract, the contractor must maintain and make available manifest/logs for all flights on such company aircraft. As a minimum, the manifest/log shall indicate-

(i) Date, time, and points of departure;

(ii) Destination, date, and time of arrival;

(iii) Name of each passenger and relationship to the contractor;

(iv) Authorization for trip; and

(v) Purpose of trip.

(3) Where an advance agreement is proposed (see 31.109 ), consideration may be given to the following:

(i) Whether scheduled commercial airlines or other suitable, less costly, travel facilities are available at reasonable times, with reasonable frequency, and serve the required destinations conveniently.

(ii) Whether increased flexibility in scheduling results in time savings and more effective use of personnel that would outweigh additional travel costs .

(d) Costs of contractor-owned or -leased automobiles, as used in this paragraph, include the costs of lease, operation (including personnel), maintenance, depreciation , insurance , etc. These costs are allowable, if reasonable, to the extent that the automobiles are used for company business. That portion of the cost of company -furnished automobiles that relates to personal use by employees (including transportation to and from work) is compensation for personal services and is unallowable as stated in 31.205-6 (m)(2).

Definitions

FAC Changes

Style Formatter

• Data Initiatives
• Regulations
• Smart Matrix
• Regulations Search
• Acquisition Regulation Comparator (ARC)
• Large Agencies
• Small Agencies
• CAOC History
• CAOC Charter
• Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAAC)
• Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council
• Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee (ISDC)

ACQUISITION.GOV

An official website of the General Services Administration

Gateway to Seamless Migration

Navigate Your Migration Journey with

• explore more

Discover A Journey Through Cultural Marvels

Embark on a cultural odyssey through Japan, Australia, and Korea. Explore the serene landscapes of Japan, the vast wilderness of Australia, and the bustling streets of Korea. Encounter rich traditions, modern marvels, and diverse cuisines in these captivating countries, each offering a unique tapestry of experiences.

Korea enthralls with its dynamic cities, rich history, and flavorful cuisine, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, offering a vibrant cultural experience

Japan captivates with its blend of ancient traditions and modern innovations, serene landscapes, vibrant cities, and exquisite cuisine. Truly enchanting.

Australia dazzles with its diverse landscapes, from stunning coastlines to rugged outback. Experience its laid-back lifestyle, unique wildlife, and thriving cities.

Journeys Await !!

Discover the Diverse Charms 

Global Perspectives

Exploring Art Across Japan, Australia, and Korea

On The Way !!

coming soon!!

Reach out to us for inquiries, assistance, and travel advice

Telephone Inquiry

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: a 3-week travel itinerary

Sri Lanka has to be one of the greatest travel destinations of all time, a beautiful tropical island in the middle of the warm Indian ocean waters. Three weeks is an ideal length for a Sri Lanka route, as you cross through the jungle, mountains, tea plantations, and paradise coastline. Start in big metropolitan cities and end your time relaxing on beautiful beaches with a coconut in hand. Everything you could possibly dream of is in this beautiful country with the perfect Sri Lanka route. 

Sri Lanka Route Guide

This 3-week itinerary through Sri Lanka is a day-by-day Sri Lanka route. The island is easy to travel through and can be done by bus, tuk-tuk, motorbike, taxi, or private driver. One of the more popular options is to travel by traditional Sri Lankan train , gaining a wonderful insight into Sri Lankan culture as you fly through beautiful landscapes. 

Use this 3-week route to cover the top things to do in Sri Lanka, and if you have more time, we’ve added some additional options. 

Day 1 – 2: Relaxing in Negombo or Colombo

Start your trip in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city. Here you’ll discover a unique mixture of modern and traditional, where towering skyscrapers and luxurious rooftop bars sit next to stunning mosques, traditional houses, and bustling street markets.

After a busy day of sightseeing, head to one of the beautiful parks to relax and see unique tropical plants, trees, and flowers. Alternatively, take a wander down to the city beach, where you can watch locals flying their kites in the coastal breeze or cheering as they score points playing cricket. 

However, Colombo is not the closest city to the airport. For more convenience, head to Negombo, a laid-back town that’s right next to the airport.

Where to Stay in Negombo

Negombo is a great place to stay for cheaper accommodation with swimming pools where you can relax and unwind after the flight.

Hotels in Negombo 😴

The beaches are also far more picturesque in this city, so if you’re looking to enjoy coastal relaxation, it’s a better choice to begin your trip.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Kandy

Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second-largest city and one of the most beautiful you’ll find in all of Sri Lanka . Discover the old colonial buildings that line the edges of a vast lake in the center, keeping an eye out for exciting wildlife and unique plants. Plus, the buzzing streets filled with coconut sellers and stalls are just a stone’s throw away from this fantastic nature. 

To get from Colombo or Negombo to Kandy you have three options, the bus, train, or a taxi. Looking for a Sri Lankan driver? Contact our friend Indi on Whatsapp (+94777644144) .

Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, a fantastic tranquil wilderness in the city full of a diverse range of plants, trees, and flowers. As you look around, you’ll notice that the mountains and tropical rainforests are never far away! It’s this proximity that makes Kandy a great jumping-off point for day trips.

Read : 9 Things to do in Kandy

Where to Stay in Kandy

Kandy offers a good selection of affordable hostels and hotels to suit every kind of traveler.

Hostels in Kandy 😴

We recommend staying in the city center to explore everything easily. Alternatively, choose to stay up in the hills for ultimate tranquility.

Day 4: Sigiriya

Lion Rock in Sigiriya is one of the country’s most famous landmarks. The enormous natural formation sticks out of the flat landscape, towering above forests and grasslands filled with elephants. On top of the 200-meter square-shaped rock, you’ll find the remains of an ancient palace and gardens and many rock drawings along the way. Additionally, Lion Rock is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka, which is another reason to add it to your Sri Lanka route!

Alternatively, visit Pidurangula Rock , Lion Rock’s nearby little sibling. This rock may be smaller, but it provides a better view as it looks directly onto Lion Rock. There’s also a cheaper entrance fee too! 

If you have time to stay a few nights in Sigiriya, we recommend relaxing in one of the many beautiful hotels in nature, hiking the rocks, or going on an elephant safari in the flat valley. To get there, hire a driver or look for a shuttle bus (a 3-hour drive from Kandy).

Read: Climb the World-Famous Sigiriya Lion Rock

Where to Stay in Sigiriya

Most of the accommodation in Sigiriya is a bit higher in price. However, it does allow you to enjoy and make the most of the incredible scenery in this area.

Hotels in Sigiriya 😴

Tip: Some hotels even have direct views from the rooms of the rocks themselves!

Day 5: Kandy to Ella Train Ride

Head back to Kandy to catch the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka . This long train ride is one of the top things to do on any Sri Lanka route, taking you through stunning rolling hilltops, rainforest, and luscious green tea plantations. Hang out the door with the wind in your hair and feel the weather get cooler as you move higher up into the mist and the clouds of the Sri Lanka highlands. Get Kandy Train Tickets here .

Read: Kandy to Ella Train

Day 6 – 7: Nuwara Eliya

The train from Kandy goes all the way to Ella , making a few stops on the way. Get off a little earlier and spend a night in the natural beauty of Nuwara Eliya, an area famous for tea plantations.

Here are all your hotel options in Nuwara Eliya.

It’s especially well known as being home to the Lipton plantation, one of the world’s most famous tea growers and exporters! In fact, the history of colonization here by the English has even affected the architecture, with lots of English-style bungalows dotted through the fields, giving Nuwara Eliya the nickname ‘Little England’.

Read: Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Day 8 – 10: Ella

Visit one of the most blissful and natural places in Sri Lanka : Ella. The small town has a laid-back hippy vibe, complemented by the great mountains and hills that tower over the town. Stay in a hilltop guesthouse with incredible views, and use it as a base to climb to Adams Peak, Ella Rock, or the mesmerizing Nine Arch Bridge . When you’re done hiking, head for one of the many picturesque waterfall pools for a refreshing dip.

Ella is one of the most beautiful places in the country and an absolute must-do in Sri Lanka !

Read: Best Things To Do in Ella, Sri Lanka

Where to Stay in Ella

Ella is full of fantastic accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts with swimming pools and beautiful views.

Hotels in Ella 😴

It can be fun to stay in the hillside guesthouses outside of town, where you’ll have great views and easy access to hiking trails.

Day 11 – 13: Arugam Bay

Ready to catch some waves? Arugam Bay is the most famous surfing spot in Sri Lanka . It’s so popular that many surfers make this their home between April and October when the days are sunny and warm, and the waves are great. It’s easy to see why people spend so much time here, with the relaxed way of life, living in a wooden beach hut, surfing, and sunbathing by day, and enjoying all the fantastic bars and restaurants by night. This is where you’ll truly find hammock-swinging and coconut-sipping vibes! 

Read: Things To Do in Arugam Bay

Where to Stay in Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is all about the beach! As such, most of the accommodations are located along the coastline. Choose from charming beach huts, mid-range guesthouses, or upscale beach resorts.

Hotels in Arugam Bay 😴

Day 14: Go on Safari in Sri Lanka

From Arugam Bay, it’s super easy to take a day trip to Yala National Park for a safari amongst nature. You might even be lucky enough to spot the elusive leopard!

See availability for a safari tour to Yala

Join a tour, jump in a jeep, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. As you cross over bumpy dirt roads, around lakes, and through bushland, you’ll see vast groups of wild elephants and other animals. There are plenty of national parks to choose from in Sri Lanka , some of the most popular being Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park . 

Read : Best national parks in Sri Lanka

Day 15 – 16: Mirissa

Head south to the paradise beach town of Mirissa. Take off your shoes and say goodbye to regular life as you slow down and feel the sand between your toes and the waves against your feet. Mirissa isn’t just about the beach, though; there are beautiful coconut tree forests to explore, fascinating tidal islands, and endless great restaurants.

Read: Best Things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa is also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see Whales, which migrate here between November and March. You’ll find the most spectacular sunsets in this part of the country, a winning combination with a sunset whale-watching trip.

Tip: Are you someone always looking for a secret beach? Find your perfect beach on the list of 10 x Best Beaches in Sri Lanka .

Where to Stay in Mirissa

Mirissa is relatively small, so most guesthouses and hotels will be within walking distance of the beach.

Hotels in Mirissa 😴

As with most areas in Sri Lanka , prices are low for accommodation, and you can find beautiful beachside hotels, with views of the ocean, for a lot less than you might expect!

Day 17 – 19: Unawatuna

The Unawatuna area has the most famous beaches in Sri Lanka , known for the white sand, great surfing, lively beach bars, and Instagram-famous palm-tree swings. The town is small, but it has excellent shopping, guesthouses, and trendy restaurants.

It’s also a great jumping-off point to local sights nearby, like Galle Fort , Koggala Lake, or even the bright lights of Colombo! You could quickly lose track of time in this beautiful little beach town, and it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of your Sri Lanka route.

Read: Awesome Things To Do in Unawatuna

Where to Stay in Unawatuna

Unawatuna is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in the country. Because of this, expect to pay slightly higher prices for hotels and guesthouses.

Hotels in Sri Lanka 😴

Tip: Hotel Tri is a beautiful hideaway near Unawatuna around Kogalla Lake. The sunrise and sunsets here are one of a kind overlooking the lake and cinnamon plantations.

Day 20+21: Back to Colombo

Finish your trip and stay close to the airport in Colombo.

Here are all your hotel options in Negombo.

If you have a little extra time before your flight, visit Barefoot Handicraft and its fantastic restaurant or tick off some of the sights you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

Optional Places

Sri Lanka is an absolute heart-stealer, and the likelihood is that you may want to stay for longer than three weeks. If you’re extending your route, there are many more amazing places to visit, especially in the northern part of Sri Lanka (where you’ll find some real hidden gems!). Some of the most popular places to visit on a Sri Lanka route are:

• Trincomalee
• Polonnaruwa

How to Visit Sri Lanka

International flights arrive at Colombo airport (actually closer to Negombo than Colombo).

From here, it’s straightforward to take public transport to your next destination or arrange for a driver to collect you. 

Getting Around in Sri Lanka

Hiring a driver in Sri Lanka is a very popular choice as it’s so reasonably priced. To do so will usually cost about $50 per day, which allows you a lot more flexibility with your itinerary. It also helps you get to the more remote places, which otherwise might be quite tricky. 

We recommend to rent a car in Sri Lanka through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Contact our friend Indi on Whatsapp (+94777644144) . Make sure to tell him you came via ‘Salt in our Hair’ so you’ll get the best price possible. 

Buses are a very cheap option; it’s just a few dollars for a full day of traveling by bus! Be aware that buses are usually packed full of people, and you will have to stand. Don’t expect air conditioning, but you’ll have the perks of enjoying local TV with Sri Lankan music videos! 

Purchase any transport tickets online here

Taking the train is a must-do in Sri Lanka . The country is home to some of the most beautiful train rides globally and has become renowned worldwide for the experience of hanging out the train door as tea plantations and rolling hills fly by. 

The price for a second-class cabin varies from $1.50 to $4. Sometimes they run out of seats, meaning you have to stand or sit on the floor. But do as the locals do and enjoy this beautiful experience!

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. There isn’t a perfect period to visit because each side of the island has its own “best time to visit.” which means the sun will always be shining somewhere! ☀️

The dry seasons by month and destination are:

• North – May to September
• Center  – January to April
• South  – December – March

If you choose to visit these areas in the rainy season, you can still have a really enjoyable time. Prices will be lower, there will be fewer people, and nature will be particularly luscious. However, be aware that the rains can bring rough waves to the coast, causing the beaches to get pretty dirty and unusable at this time.

Sri Lanka Visa

You need a Sri Lanka visa to be allowed into the country. Luckily, arranging a visa isn’t difficult at all. All you need to do is make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. You can select several options for your visa for Sri Lanka , depending on how long you are planning to stay and for what reason you are visiting the country.

Online Visa, Sri Lanka

The first option is to apply for your Sri Lanka visa online . It’s wise to apply at least a few days before your arrival. Usually, the applications are approved within a few hours, and you will receive your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). The 30-day tourist visa will cost you $35.

Order online: Get your visa easily here!

Visa on Arrival

Even if you have not applied for ETA can get a Visa on Arrival on arrival for Sri Lanka . There is a counter at the airport in Colombo where you can go. However, you will pay $5 extra, and there are generally long queues. For this reason, we recommend applying for your visa online ahead of time.

How Much Does Sri Lanka Cost?

In Sri Lanka , payment is made in the Sri Lankan Rupee (not the same as the Indian Rupee). Currently, $1 is equal to 2 Sri Lanka Rupees. Generally, Sri Lanka is a cheap place to travel in, especially in the more remote locations like the North or the center.

A variety of accommodations is on offer, from budget guesthouses to the more luxurious beachside hotels. Plus, wherever you go, you can always find cheap and delicious food, either sold on the street or in small restaurants (a bowl of local rice and curry typically costs about $1-3 USD!).

Costs of Traveling in Sri Lanka

Travel on a budget in Sri Lanka, from $190 − $410 USD weekly per person, mid-range $530 − $960 USD, and high-end from $920 − $1250 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $10 − $30 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $10 − $20 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $2 − $50 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $50 − $80 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $10 − $30 USD
• Activities: $2 − $30 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Vaccinations Sri Lanka

Whatever the length of your trip is, it’s recommended to get two vaccines:

• DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio)
• Hepatitis A

Staying away for several months? Then you probably should get vaccinations against Hepatitis B and rabies. There is no Malaria risk in Sri Lanka.

Travel Insurance Don't forget a travel insurance for your Sri Lanka trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. As a Salt in our Hair reader, we've got you 5% off! Check Heymondo here

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Sri Lanka via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

9 Great Things To Do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Where to see elephants in sri lanka (avoid pinnawala), best hotels and guesthouses in sri lanka.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Wow, what a fantastic resource for planning my upcoming trip to Sri Lanka! Your detailed route guide is exactly what I needed to map out my itinerary and make the most of my time on this beautiful island.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  Notify me when new comments are added.

No products in the basket.

A 1-week itinerary for Sri Lanka

Updated On 9th March, 2024

Sri Lanka may be relatively small when compared to other countries in Asia, but it’s not a reflection of how much there is to do by any means. In this Sri Lanka travel guide, I am going to share with you an ideal 1-week travel itinerary to show you how your Sri Lanka adventure could look.

If you want to see the whole island, in all its glory, you should put aside more than a week. But if 7 days is all you have, it gives you more than enough time to take in a dose of the culture, beautiful lush green hills, and stunning beaches that make up this island nation.

My name is Seren (you may remember me from the  solo travel guide to India ) and in this blog post, I have put together a 7-day itinerary for exploring Sri Lanka based on my personal experiences there.

This itinerary covers all the most beautiful places to see in Sri Lanka as well as some of my favourite finds and secret spots in Sri Lanka to help you plan your trip.

Let’s tuck in!

If you’re planning a holiday to  Sri Lanka , but aren’t sure of what the best things to do are, then look no further. In this post, you’ll find all of the very best things to do in  Sri Lanka  as well as the most unique experiences and of course, the places to visit in  Sri Lanka .

Sri Lanka , known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, is as magical as it sounds. Don’t be discouraged by its relatively small size. This paradise island has so much to offer for travellers of all types, even for a full  1-week Sri Lanka itinerary . Whether you’re an avid surfer, beach bummer, hiker, animal lover or tea enthusiast (the rolling hills of the Highlands are some of the most extensive tea plantations in the world!), you’re going to tick a lot off of your  Sri Lanka  bucket list.

Sri Lanka  is a destination you can visit all year round. Even though it’s considered a small island, it has two distinct monsoon seasons in separate parts of the island so choosing where to visit in  Sri Lanka  can depend on the time of year. The best season to explore the southern coast and highland areas is November to March. If you want to visit the east coast for a surf break, the best time is usually May to September.

Here are 16 places, experiences and adventures you can’t miss in  Sri Lanka !

Other travel guides you might find useful…

• Asia travel guide
• 1-week itinerary for Sri Lanka
• 20 top things to do in Mumbai, India
• 1-week itinerary for Kerala, India
• Top tips for travelling in Thailand
• Bali: the ultimate travel guide
• Top tips for solo travel in southeast Asia

Sri Lanka Google Map Legend

Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in the area. You simply open the Google Map on your device and all my pins are at the touch of your fingertips.

Here’s the perfect 7-day itinerary for Sri Lanka

The best time to travel to Sri Lanka

It totally depends on what adventure you’re after and what side of the island you’re planning an adventure on. Sri Lanka’s weather is dictated by two key monsoon seasons which are important to be aware of when planning your trip. You can read about Sri Lanka weather in more detail online but in short, the best time to visit both the west and south coasts is from December to March, and the best time for food weather on the east coast is from April/May to September.

How to get to Sri Lanka

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the islands International airport in Katunayake. It’s located 30 kilometres north of the island nation’s capital of Colombo.

Top tip: Check out the flight deals on  Skyscanner here.

For advice on travelling solo as a female, check out  these top tips! 

Here are my  top tips for planning and researching your next adventure.

Day 1 in Sri Lanka

First things first, get yourself to Sri Lanka. This is going to be day 1 of your itinerary. Sri Lankan Airlines fly direct from multiple destinations, including the UK, to Colombo, the capital. 

Colombo is full of fantastic hotels and hostels to suit any price range. Alternatively, take a short taxi ride to Negombo, just north of Colombo, and start your trip right on the beach. The beach at Negombo is not the best in Sri Lanka, but it will do for your first afternoon as you ease in. 

For advice on travelling on a budget, check out  these top tips! 

Day 2 – head to Kandy

Take the train from Colombo to Kandy in the morning, and have the afternoon to explore.

Sri Lanka is a tiny island, and unless you sort out private transport with a company or hire a tuktuk (a popular way to get around the island independently) you will be travelling the island by train or bus. 

Train travel in South Asia may be daunting, but Sri Lanka is famous for its breathtaking train journeys and its people are kind and welcoming. The trains can get very busy, though, so arrive at the station early to ensure your ticket or book a seat in advance.    

The train journey to Kandy winds its way out of Colombo and into lush green fields lined with palm trees before finally reaching the hills of central Sri Lanka.  

Kandy is a beautiful little city with a lot of leftover colonial influence. It lies between leafy green hills with mountains in the distance.  

First off, head up the hill just outside the city to the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue. This is an enormous statue of Buddha that looks out over the city. 

Next, head back into town towards the lake. If you want a bite to eat, there are infinite local restaurants to sample the delicious fresh Sri Lankan curries as well as a handful of cosy cafés to stop off at on the way. 

Despite being in the centre of the city, the lake is a peaceful spot and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is right beside it. This temple is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site and beautiful to explore.  

If you have enough energy left over from walking around the town, head to the Udawattakele Forest Reserve. This is a small but charming nature reserve perfect for a leisurely stroll and spotting wildlife. 

Top tip: Check out  money-saving tips on my blog here.

Day 3 – take the famous blue train to Ella

Next up, take Instagram’s favourite train ride from Kandy to Ella. 

The train is an iconic blue which stands out against the vibrant greenery that makes up most of the journey. It winds its way through the hills, some wild, others carved out with tea fields. Prepare to be blown away by just how green everything is (thanks to a lot of rain!) The most picturesque tea fields are around Nuwara Eliya, one of the stops on the journey. Many visitors get off here for a day or two of rambling through the tea fields and tasting Ceylon’s finest cuppa. 

The train is very slow, so this will take you all day. Pack snacks, or buy some from the vendors onboard!

Day 4 – walk around the hills in Ella

Ella town itself is full of cafés and restaurants, but it is the surrounding hills which are the real attraction. Spend this day walking the hills. 

The Nine Arch Bridge is a magnificent bridge which the famous trains rumble across a few times each day. It’s a popular spot for photos because of its backdrop against tea fields and forest. Plus, you can get an adrenaline kick from walking on the railway tracks.  

Not far away and a short walk up some stairs is Little Adam’s Peak, the perfect hilltop from which to admire the expanse of hills and waterfalls around you.  

There are various other walks further outside Ella, accessible by bus or taxi, if you want to pack more exploring in. One of them is the Diyaluma Waterfalls. After a short walk through the forest, you reach the waterfall which actually consists of many tiered pools for swimming and jumping in. Beautiful views and a refreshing swim! What more could you want?

Top tip: Get more  sustainability tips for travelling in Asia in this blog post !

Day 5 – head to Weligama

There is no train connecting Ella to the south coast, so take the local bus or hire a taxi. Go for the bus if you want the full Sri Lankan experience of careening along the roads at top speed. 

Sri Lanka has two different seasons for its beaches. From November to April the south is on season; from July to September, the east coast is where it’s at. Here, I’m going to talk about the south coast, specifically Weligama, but Arugam Bay is a fantastic spot on the east coast on season. 

It will take you a good few hours to reach the south coast, so you’ll want to just chill out on one of the many beautiful beaches on this day.  

Weligama is full of arty and comfortable hostels serving smoothie bowls and iced coffee, all a stone’s throw away from a long stretch of beach boasting the best beginner’s surf spot on the south coast. 

The entire south coast is basically a string of stunning white sand beaches with crystal clear waters and palm trees towering above, so you can’t go far wrong if you choose to stay elsewhere. Other popular spots are Mirissa, Midigama, Unawatuna, and Hiriketiya.

Day 6 – surf and beach time

First thing in the morning, walk out onto Weligama’s beach and choose a surf school to rent a board from or maybe take a lesson.  

Midigama, further down the coast, is a better spot for more advanced surfers. It’s also home to many stunning beaches to hang out on if surfing isn’t your thing. Sometimes you’ll even spot a turtle!

Day 7 – home time

Catch some final waves and rays before heading back to Colombo by train, bus, or taxi to fly home. You’ll leave wishing you had more time in this beautiful country of lush greenery and picturesque beaches.

If you’re nervous about going travelling, here’s  how I overcome my pre-travel nerves.

Have you travelled Sri Lanka?

What advice would you give for someone travelling to India? We’d love to know!

Love Seren  from  Seren Wanders

You can see more of Seren’s adventures on her Instagram  here.

Did you find this post helpful? I’d love you to share it for me.

I can’t do this without you.

Pin and save this blog post for later…

IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

Shop the google map legends

Search by adventure type, active travel, backpacking, budget travel, love and relationships, once in a lifetime, packing tips, solo travel, weekend getaways, where's mollie newsletter, travel shop, search by destination, other posts that you may like....

A guide to Copenhagen in winter

The best things to do in Croatia

A 2-week Portugal road trip itinerary

A French Alps road trip: Chamonix, Annecy and Epernay

The best hikes in New Zealand

12 unique places to stay in the UK

A 7-day Dorset road trip itinerary

14 Valentine’s Day Adventure Ideas

14 solo adventures to go on in your lifetime

Privacy overview.

How to travel between Stockholm and Uppsala

Written by Hyunjin

28 Feb 2019

Written by Sania

14 Jan 2018

Written by Supritha

11 Oct 2016

Written by Annamaria

14 Apr 2024

Four years ago, I spent six months in Stockholm as an exchange student. One day, me and my friends visited Uppsala and had fika around the botanic garden, looked around the Carolina Rediviva library. After I finish my exchange programme, I came back to Korea and cannot stop thinking that I want to go to Uppsala and study at the library that I saw on that small trip in Uppsala. Now, 3 years after my trip to Uppsala, I came back to Sweden to study Statistics as a master’s student at Uppsala University. If you are in Stockholm or Uppsala, I would love to recommend you to travel Uppsala or Stockholm. You never know! One small trip might change your future 🙂

Uppsala is a university city, small enough to walk around and big enough to enjoy your social life. It is 70km far away from Stockholm and there are various methods to get to Uppsala from Stockholm. This is a brief summary of how to travel between Uppsala and Stockholm.

Travelling by SJ train

Travel time: 40 minutes, every 10 minutes

• Single ticket: Student (around)90kr Adult (around)105kr
• Ten tickets: Student 652kr Adult 760kr

Travelling by Pendeltåg (SL/UL)

Travel time: 55 minutes, every 30 minutes If you have a UL ticket:

• SL Ticket on card: Student 22kr, Adult 32kr
• SL Ticket on app: Student 31kr, Adult 45kr

If you have a SL ticket:

• UL Ticket: UL app 75kr, SL app 96kr

If you don’t have both SL and UL ticket:

• UL Ticket + SL Ticket: UL app 107kr, SL app 122kr

Travelling by Flixbus

Travel time: 75 minutes, five times a day. Costs around 29 – 59kr.

1. SJ Train

SJ is the quickest and easiest way to travel between Stockholm and Uppsala. You can buy a ticket at the machines at the station, website, and apps. There are several different trains in Sj. Some trains are a direct train which only takes 30 minute to commute, but some train takes around 40 minute stops by Märsta station, Arlanda airport station, and Knivsta station.

Tickets can be purchased as a single ticket, but you can get a special discount if you buy 10-tickets in advance. Single ticket cost around 90kr for student and around 105kr for the adult. However 10-tickets cost 652kr for students and 760kr for an adult. So if you have a plan to travel more than five times within 90 days, then you ca buy 10-tickets and save around 25kr for each ride.

2. Pendeltåg

Pendeltåg is a commuter train which travels around Stockholm to Uppsala. Pendeltåg has various stops in Stockholm, so if you have the plan to visit places such as Stockholm Södra or Solna, then Pendeltåg might be a good choice for your travelling.

Pendeltåg is the most common and convenient methods, but it is kind of complicated to understand what types of ticket you need to buy. Also, the exact same ticket might cost different depends on where you because UL application is offering price if you are charging travel fund in advance.

SL is Stockholm’s public transport company and Ul is Uppsala’s public transport company. If you want to travel two with pendeltåg, you need to have both SL and UL ticket. Assuming that you don’t have both UL and SL ticket, Single ticket to travel between two cites will cost 107kr on UL application with travel funds, and 122kr on SL application.

If you already have a UL ticket (zone 1,2,5), then you only need to buy extra SL ticket. A plastic card for SL is called ‘access card’ and it costs 20kr at the convenience store. You can charge the amount that you want to use, and single ticket with access card cost 22kr for student and 32kr for an adult. However, if you choose not to buy card and rather buy a ticket on SL application, then single ticket cost 31kr for student and 45kr for an adult.

If you already have SL ticket, then you only need to buy UL ticket. As pendeltaåg is passing through Arlanda and Knivsta area, you need to purchase UL ticket with zone 1,2,5. Single UL ticket with zone 1,2,5 cost 75kr on UL application and 96kr on SL application.

For more detailed information about the Zones, the pictures above show the zones in Uppsala and Stockholm region. Most of the attractions in Stockholm are in zone A, but if you come to Uppsala you have to go through all the ABC zones in Stockholm, so you have to buy whole zone tickets. In Uppsala, all the sights are in zone 1 , if you go to Stockholm, you will need a ticket for 1, 2 or 5 zones.

Flixbus is the cheapest way to travel between two cities. You can purchase a Flixbus ticket online ↗️ or though application. Prices vary by date and time. Time and price table are shown in the picture below.

Flixbut takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel between Uppsala and Stockholm. There wifi, plug and toilet on Flux bus, so if you are not in rush travelling, then Flixbus can be a good option.

Hope you have great time traveling Uppsala and Stockholm! If you have any question regarding how to travel two cities, please feel free to ask me though comments or email :)!

Sierra Leone launches Online Travel Portal to Manage Passenger

by dsti_v2 | Jul 5, 2023 | COVID19 | 0 comments

Travel.Gov.Sl  is Sierra Leone’s official travel registration portal for passengers arriving at or departing from Freetown International Airport. The ICT Covid-19 Response PIllar manages the site which processes travel authorisation and assists the Surveillance Pillar with contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government of Sierra Leone has reopened its national airspace to commercial flights after air, land, and sea borders were closed on March 22, 2020. Public health and aviation officials agree that one key way to build traveler confidence and continue to flatten the coronavirus curve is with increased testing.

Sierra Leone’s travel protocols effective July 22, 2020, require all passengers to apply for a travel permit from  Travel.Gov.Sl . To receive permission to travel in or out of the country, each passenger must provide the following: A negative COVID-19 PCR lab test result issued no longer than 72hours before departure, proof of payment for a COVID-19 PCR test in Sierra Leone, and a completed public health locator form. Children ages two years old and younger are exempt from testing. Travel.Gov.Sl is the one-stop-shop that will process all requirements and issue travel authorizations.

Travel.Gov.Sl  is available 24/7. Passengers can register and pay for their tests online and through mobile money. They can order a regular or premium test, with the latter offering appointment flexibility.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in Sierra Leone the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation as the lead of the ICT Pillar of the National Covid-19 Emergency Response has worked with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, Local ICT experts and development partners to deploy digital tools to improve the fight against the coronavirus.  Fix Solutions , a technology company has played a leading role in the design and deployment of the travel web application. 

From  drones for surveillance during lockdowns  to an  e-pass solution to ease travel restrictions , and a  COVID-19 Self-Check SMS and USSD Mobile Application ; DSTI continues to champion Sierra Leone’s commitment to national innovation.

#TECHAGAINSTCOVID19 COVID-19 COVID-19 E-PASS FOR ESSENTIAL TRAVEL DSTI SIERRA LEONE

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

• Forging Future Frontiers: UNICEF Sierra Leone Country Rep, Rudolf Schwenk Visits DSTI Sierra Leone
• General Procurement Notice: Digital Connectivity in Schools
• Bridging Digital Divides: ISDB, Unicefsl and Sierra Leone’s Bold Stride To Connect 11,000 Schools to The Internet
• Sierra Leone Joins Global Digital Public Infrastructure Ecosystem For The Launch Of The 50in5 Campaign
• Sierra Leone Joins Global Dpi Ecosystem For The Launch Of The 50in5 Campaign

Recent Comments

TRAVEL FAR AWAY SL

Companies with similar name

Search companies and directors from

Popular Song Lyrics

Billboard Hot 100

Upcoming Lyrics

Recently Added

Top Lyrics of 2011

Top Lyrics of 2010

Top Lyrics of 2009

More »

Popular Artists

Artists A-Z

Popular Albums

Upcoming Albums

Hip Hop/Rap

All Genres »

Daily Roundup

Album Reviews

Song Reviews

Sign In Register

Submit Lyrics

• Song Lyrics
• Artists - W
• Wardrum Lyrics
• Messenger Album
• Travel Far Away Lyrics

Wardrum - Travel Far Away Lyrics

Artist: Wardrum

Album: Messenger

You know, it’s easy to live in agony and pain Under the weight of your fears; burn the years in vain Just keep your head down and do all that you despise Or stick to your warm nest and never fly The hard part is making the dream come alive to stay right on track every day Reach for the top and marvel at the beauty of your self-made reality Time falls behind you as your weak part leads on Step on a wish and travel far away Turn all your wounds and pain into wisdom Follow your heart and you will find your way Far away If you cannot dare to fail you cannot achieve You only choose to exist and to never live Bury each battle you lost into yesterday Spread your wings now and fly away The hard part is making the dream come alive To stay right on track every day Reach for the top and marvel at the beauty of your self-made reality Time falls behind you as your weak part leads on Step on a wish and travel far away Turn all your wounds and pain into wisdom Follow your heart and you will find your way The shining stars you wish upon Can help in no way when faith is missing Time falls behind you as your weak part leads on Step on a wish and travel far away Turn all your wounds and pain into wisdom Follow your heart and you will find your way Far away, far away Far away, far away

Add Comment

Messenger tracklist.

Get the embed code

Wardrum Lyrics provided by SongLyrics.com

Note: When you embed the widget in your site, it will match your site's styles (CSS). This is just a preview!

Preview the embedded widget

In the Know

Popular wardrum lyrics.

Cannot annotate a non-flat selection. Make sure your selection starts and ends within the same node.

An annotation cannot contain another annotation.

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• A–Z Index
• Operating Status

Resources For

• New / Prospective Employees
• Federal Employees
• HR Professionals

Compensatory Time Off for Travel - Questions & Answers to Fact Sheet

• Q1. What is compensatory time off for travel? View more A. Compensatory time off for travel is a separate form of compensatory time off that may be earned by an employee for time spent in a travel status away from the employee's official duty station when such time is not otherwise compensable.
• Q2. Are all employees covered by this provision? View more A. The compensatory time off provision applies to an "employee" as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5541(2) who is employed in an "Executive agency" as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, without regard to whether the employee is exempt from or covered by the overtime pay provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended. For example, this includes employees in senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) positions, but not members of the Senior Executive Service or Senior Foreign Service or Foreign Service officers. Effective April 27, 2008, prevailing rate (wage) employees are covered under the compensatory time off for travel provision. (See CPM 2008-04 .)
• Q3. Are intermittent employees eligible to earn compensatory time off for travel? View more A. No. Compensatory time off for travel may be used by an employee when the employee is granted time off from his or her scheduled tour of duty established for leave purposes. (See 5 CFR 550.1406(b).) Also see the definition of "scheduled tour of duty for leave purposes" in 5 CFR 550.1403. Employees who are on intermittent work schedules are not eligible to earn and use compensatory time off for travel because they do not have a scheduled tour of duty for leave purposes.
• Q4. What qualifies as travel for the purpose of this provision? View more A. To qualify for this purpose, travel must be officially authorized. In other words, travel must be for work purposes and must be approved by an authorized agency official or otherwise authorized under established agency policies. (Also see Q5.)
• Q5. May an employee earn compensatory time off when he or she travels in conjunction with the performance of union representational duties? View more A. No. The term "travel" is defined at 5 CFR 550.1403 to mean officially authorized travel—i.e., travel for work purposes approved by an authorized agency official or otherwise authorized under established agency policies. The definition specifically excludes time spent traveling in connection with union activities. The term "travel for work purposes" is intended to mean travel for agency-related work purposes. Thus, employees who travel in connection with union activities are not entitled to earn compensatory time off for travel because they are traveling for the benefit of the union, and not for agency-related work purposes.
• Q6. An employee receives compensatory time off for travel only for those hours spent in a travel status. What qualifies as time in a travel status? View more A. Travel status includes only the time actually spent traveling between the official duty station and a temporary duty station, or between two temporary duty stations, and the usual waiting time that precedes or interrupts such travel.
• Q7. Is travel in connection with a permanent change of station (PCS) creditable for compensatory time off for travel? View more A. Although PCS travel is officially authorized travel, it is not travel between an official duty station and a temporary duty station or between two temporary duty stations. Therefore, it is not considered time in a travel status for the purpose of earning compensatory time off for travel.
• Q8. What is meant by "usual waiting time"? View more A. Airline travelers generally are required to arrive at the airport at a designated pre-departure time (e.g., 1 or 2 hours before the scheduled departure, depending on whether the flight is domestic or international). Such waiting time at the airport is considered usual waiting time and is creditable time in a travel status. In addition, time spent at an intervening airport waiting for a connecting flight (e.g., 1 or 2 hours) also is creditable time in a travel status. In all cases, determinations regarding what is creditable as "usual waiting time" are within the sole and exclusive discretion of the employing agency.
• Q9. What if an employee experiences an "extended" waiting period? View more A. If an employee experiences an unusually long wait prior to his or her initial departure or between actual periods of travel during which the employee is free to rest, sleep, or otherwise use the time for his or her own purposes, the extended waiting time outside the employee's regular working hours is not creditable time in a travel status. An extended waiting period that occurs during an employee's regular working hours is compensable as part of the employee's regularly scheduled administrative workweek.
• Q10. Do meal periods count as time in a travel status? View more A. Meal periods during actual travel time or waiting time are not specifically excluded from creditable time in a travel status for the purpose of earning compensatory time off for travel. However, determinations regarding what is creditable as "usual waiting time" are within the sole and exclusive discretion of the employing agency.
• Q11. What happens once an employee reaches a temporary duty station? View more A. Time spent at a temporary duty station between arrival and departure is not creditable travel time for the purpose of earning compensatory time off for travel. Time in a travel status ends when the employee arrives at the temporary duty worksite or his or her lodging in the temporary duty station, wherever the employee arrives first. Time in a travel status resumes when an employee departs from the temporary duty worksite or his or her lodging in the temporary duty station, wherever the employee departs last.
• Q12. When is it appropriate for an agency to offset creditable time in a travel status by the amount of time the employee spends in normal commuting between home and work? View more A. If an employee travels directly between his or her home and a temporary duty station outside the limits of the employee's official duty station (e.g., driving to and from a 3-day conference), the agency must deduct the employee's normal home-to-work/work-to-home commuting time from the creditable travel time. The agency must also deduct an employee's normal commuting time from the creditable travel time if the employee is required—outside of regular working hours—to travel between home and a transportation terminal (e.g., an airport or train station) outside the limits of the employee's official duty station.
• Q13. What if an employee travels to a transportation terminal within the limits of his or her official duty station? View more A. An employee's time spent traveling outside of regular working hours to or from a transportation terminal within the limits of his or her official duty station is considered equivalent to commuting time and is not creditable time in a travel status for the purpose of earning compensatory time off for travel.
• Q14. What if an employee travels from a worksite to a transportation terminal? View more A. If an employee travels between a worksite and a transportation terminal, the travel time outside regular working hours is creditable as time in a travel status, and no commuting time offset applies. For example, after completing his or her workday, an employee may travel directly from the regular worksite to an airport to attend an out-of-town meeting the following morning. The travel time between the regular worksite and the airport is creditable as time in a travel status.
• Q15. What if an employee elects to travel at a time other than the time selected by the agency? View more A. When an employee travels at a time other than the time selected by the agency, the agency must determine the estimated amount of time in a travel status the employee would have had if the employee had traveled at the time selected by the agency. The agency must credit the employee with the lesser of (1) the estimated time in a travel status the employee would have had if the employee had traveled at the time selected by the agency, or (2) the employee's actual time in a travel status at a time other than that selected by the agency.
• Q16. How is an employee's travel time calculated for the purpose of earning compensatory time off for travel when the travel involves two or more time zones? View more A. When an employee's travel involves two or more time zones, the time zone from point of first departure must be used to determine how many hours the employee actually spent in a travel status for the purpose of accruing compensatory time off for travel. For example, if an employee travels from his official duty station in Washington, DC, to a temporary duty station in San Francisco, CA, the Washington, DC, time zone must be used to determine how many hours the employee spent in a travel status. However, on the return trip to Washington, DC, the time zone from San Francisco, CA, must be used to calculate how many hours the employee spent in a travel status.
• Q17. How is compensatory time off for travel earned and credited? View more A. Compensatory time off for travel is earned for qualifying time in a travel status. Agencies may authorize credit in increments of one-tenth of an hour (6 minutes) or one-quarter of an hour (15 minutes). Agencies must track and manage compensatory time off for travel separately from other forms of compensatory time off.
• Q18. Is there a limitation on the amount of compensatory time off for travel an employee may earn? View more A. No.
• Q19. How does an employee request credit for compensatory time off for travel? View more A. Agencies may establish procedures for requesting credit for compensatory time off for travel. An employee must comply with his or her agency's procedures for requesting credit of compensatory time off, and the employee must file a request for such credit within the time period established by the agency. An employee's request for credit of compensatory time off for travel may be denied if the request is not filed within the time period required by the agency.
• Q20. Is there a form employees must fill out for requests to earn or use compensatory time off for travel? View more A. There is not a Governmentwide form used for requests to earn or use compensatory time off for travel. However, an agency may choose to develop a form as part of its internal policies and procedures.
• Q21. How does an employee use accrued compensatory time off for travel? View more A. An employee must request permission from his or her supervisor to schedule the use of his or her accrued compensatory time off for travel in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Compensatory time off for travel may be used when the employee is granted time off from his or her scheduled tour of duty established for leave purposes. Employees must use accrued compensatory time off for travel in increments of one-tenth of an hour (6 minutes) or one-quarter of an hour (15 minutes).
• Q22. In what order should agencies charge compensatory time off for travel? View more A. Agencies must charge compensatory time off for travel in the chronological order in which it was earned, with compensatory time off for travel earned first being charged first.
• Q23. How long does an employee have to use accrued compensatory time off for travel? View more A. An employee must use his or her accrued compensatory time off for travel by the end of the 26th pay period after the pay period during which it was earned or the employee must forfeit such compensatory time off, except in certain circumstances. (See Q24 and Q25 for exceptions.)
• Q24. What if an employee is unable to use his or her accrued compensatory time off for travel because of uniformed service or an on-the-job injury with entitlement to injury compensation? View more A. Unused compensatory time off for travel will be held in abeyance for an employee who separates, or is placed in a leave without pay status, and later returns following (1) separation or leave without pay to perform service in the uniformed services (as defined in 38 U.S.C. 4303 and 5 CFR 353.102) and a return to service through the exercise of a reemployment right or (2) separation or leave without pay due to an on-the-job injury with entitlement to injury compensation under 5 U.S.C. chapter 81. The employee must use all of the compensatory time off for travel held in abeyance by the end of the 26th pay period following the pay period in which the employee returns to duty, or such compensatory time off for travel will be forfeited.
• Q25. What if an employee is unable to use his or her accrued compensatory time off for travel because of an exigency of the service beyond the employee's control? View more A. If an employee fails to use his or her accrued compensatory time off for travel before the end of the 26th pay period after the pay period during which it was earned due to an exigency of the service beyond the employee's control, the head of an agency, at his or her sole and exclusive discretion, may extend the time limit for up to an additional 26 pay periods.
• Q26. May unused compensatory time off for travel be restored if an employee does not use it by the end of the 26th pay period after the pay period during which it was earned? View more A. Except in certain circumstances (see Q24 and Q25), any compensatory time off for travel not used by the end of the 26th pay period after the pay period during which it was earned must be forfeited.
• Q27. What happens to an employee's unused compensatory time off for travel upon separation from Federal service? View more A. Except in certain circumstances (see Q24), an employee must forfeit all unused compensatory time off for travel upon separation from Federal service.
• Q28. May an employee receive a lump-sum payment for accrued compensatory time off for travel upon separation from an agency? View more A. No. The law prohibits payment for unused compensatory time off for travel under any circumstances.
• Q29. What happens to an employee's accrued compensatory time off for travel upon transfer to another agency? View more A. When an employee voluntarily transfers to another agency (including a promotion or change to lower grade action), the employee must forfeit all of his or her unused compensatory time off for travel.
• Q30. What happens to an employee's accrued compensatory time off for travel when the employee moves to a position that is not covered by the regulations in 5 CFR part 550, subpart N? View more A. When an employee moves to a position in an agency not covered by the compensatory time off for travel provisions (e.g., the United States Postal Service), the employee must forfeit all of his or her unused compensatory time off for travel. However, the gaining agency may use its own legal authority to give the employee credit for such compensatory time off.
• Q31. Is compensatory time off for travel considered in applying the premium pay and aggregate pay caps? View more A. No. Compensatory time off for travel may not be considered in applying the biweekly or annual premium pay limitations established under 5 U.S.C. 5547 or the aggregate limitation on pay established under 5 U.S.C. 5307.
• Q32. When are criminal investigators who receive availability pay precluded from earning compensatory time off for travel? View more A. Compensatory time off for travel is earned only for hours not otherwise compensable. The term "compensable" is defined at 5 CFR 550.1403 to include any hours of a type creditable under other compensation provisions, even if there are compensation caps limiting the payment of premium pay for those hours (e.g., the 25 percent cap on availability pay and the biweekly premium pay cap). For availability pay recipients, this means hours of travel are not creditable as time in a travel status for compensatory time off purposes if the hours are (1) compensated by basic pay, (2) regularly scheduled overtime hours creditable under 5 U.S.C. 5542, or (3) "unscheduled duty hours" as described in 5 CFR 550.182(a), (c), and (d).
• Q33. What constitutes "unscheduled duty hours" as described in 5 CFR 550.182(a), (c), and (d)? View more A. Under the availability pay regulations, unscheduled duty hours include (1) all irregular overtime hours—i.e., overtime work not scheduled in advance of the employee's administrative workweek, (2) the first 2 overtime hours on any day containing part of the employee's basic 40-hour workweek, without regard to whether the hours are unscheduled or regularly scheduled, and (3) any approved nonwork availability hours. However, special agents in the Diplomatic Security Service of the Department of State may count only hours actually worked as unscheduled duty hours.
• Q34. Why are criminal investigators who receive availability pay precluded from earning compensatory time off when they travel during unscheduled duty hours? View more A. The purpose of availability pay is to ensure the availability of criminal investigators (and certain similar law enforcement employees) for unscheduled duty in excess of a 40-hour workweek based on the needs of the employing agency. Availability pay compensates an employee for all unscheduled duty hours. Compensatory time off for travel is earned only for hours not otherwise compensable. Thus, availability pay recipients may not earn compensatory time off for travel during unscheduled duty hours because the employees are entitled to availability pay for those hours.

A. When an employee who receives availability pay is required to travel on a non-workday or on a regular workday (during hours that exceed the employee's basic 8-hour workday), and the travel does not meet one of the four criteria in 5 U.S.C. 5542(b)(2)(B) and 5 CFR 550.112(g)(2), the travel time is not compensable as overtime hours of work under regular overtime or availability pay. Thus, the employee may earn compensatory time off for such travel, subject to the exclusion specified in 5 CFR 550.1404(b)(2) and the requirements in 5 CFR 550.1404(c),(d), and (e).

Under the provisions in 5 U.S.C. 5542(b)(2)(B) and 5 CFR 550.112(g)(2), travel time is compensable as overtime hours of work if the travel is away from the employee's official duty station and—

(i) involves the performance of work while traveling, (ii) is incident to travel that involves the performance of work while traveling, (iii) is carried out under arduous conditions, or (iv) results from an event which could not be scheduled or controlled administratively.

The phrase "an event which could not be scheduled or controlled administratively" refers to the ability of an agency in the Executive Branch of the United States Government to control the scheduling of an event which necessitates an employee's travel. If the employing agency or another Executive Branch agency has any control over the scheduling of the event, including by means of approval of a contract for it, then the event is administratively controllable, and the travel to and from the event cannot be credited as overtime hours of work.

For example, an interagency conference sponsored by the Department of Justice would be considered a joint endeavor of the participating Executive Branch agencies and within their administrative control. Under these circumstances, the travel time outside an employee's regular working hours is not compensable as overtime hours of work under regular overtime or availability pay. Therefore, the employee may earn compensatory time off for such travel, subject to the exclusion specified in 5 CFR 550.1404(b)(2) and the requirements in 5 CFR 550.1404(c), (d), and (e).

• Q36. If an employee is required to travel on a Federal holiday (or an "in lieu of" holiday), is the employee entitled to receive compensatory time off for travel? View more A. Although most employees do not receive holiday premium pay for time spent traveling on a holiday (or an "in lieu of" holiday), an employee continues to be entitled to pay for the holiday in the same manner as if the travel were not required. Thus, an employee may not earn compensatory time off for travel during basic (non-overtime) holiday hours because the employee is entitled to his or her rate of basic pay for those hours. Compensatory time off for travel may be earned by an employee only for time spent in a travel status away from the employee's official duty station when such time is not otherwise compensable.
• Q37. If an employee's regularly scheduled tour of duty is Sunday through Thursday and the employee is required to travel on a Sunday during regular working hours, is the employee entitled to earn compensatory time off for travel? View more A. No. Compensatory time off for travel may be earned by an employee only for time spent in a travel status away from the employee's official duty station when such time is not otherwise compensable. Thus, an employee may not earn compensatory time off for travel for traveling on a workday during regular working hours because the employee is receiving his or her rate of basic pay for those hours.
• Q38. May an agency change an employee's work schedule for travel purposes? View more A. An agency may not adjust the regularly scheduled administrative workweek that normally applies to an employee (part-time or full-time) solely for the purpose of including planned travel time not otherwise considered compensable hours of work. However, an employee is entitled to earn compensatory time off for travel for time spent in a travel status when such time is not otherwise compensable.
• Q39. Is time spent traveling creditable as credit hours for an employee who is authorized to earn credit hours under an alternative work schedule? View more A. Credit hours are hours an employee elects to work, with supervisory approval, in excess of the employee's basic work requirement under a flexible work schedule. Under certain conditions, an agency may permit an employee to earn credit hours by performing productive and essential work while in a travel status. See OPM's fact sheet on credit hours  for the conditions that must be met. If those conditions are met and the employee does earn credit hours for travel, the time spent traveling would be compensable and the employee would not be eligible to earn compensatory time off for travel. If the conditions are not met, the employee would be eligible to earn compensatory time off for travel.
• Q40. May an agency restore an employee's forfeited "use-or-lose" annual leave because the employee elected to use earned compensatory time off for travel instead of using his or her excess annual leave? View more A. Section 6304(d) of title 5, United States Code, prescribes the conditions under which an employee's forfeited annual leave may be restored to an employee. (See fact sheet on restoration of annual leave .) There is no legal authority to restore an employee's forfeited annual leave because the employee elected to use earned compensatory time off for travel instead of using his or her excess annual leave.

A. No. Compensatory time off for travel may be earned by an employee only for time spent in a travel status away from the employee's official duty station when such time is not otherwise compensable. The term "compensable" is defined at 5 CFR 550.1403 to make clear what periods of time are "not otherwise compensable" and thus potentially creditable for the purpose of earning compensatory time off for travel. Time is considered compensable if the time is creditable as hours of work for the purpose of determining a specific pay entitlement (e.g., overtime pay for travel meeting one of the four criteria in 5 CFR 550.112(g)(2)) even when the time may not actually generate additional compensation because of applicable pay limitations (e.g., biweekly premium pay cap). The capped premium pay is considered complete compensation for all hours of work creditable under the premium pay provisions.

In other words, even though an employee may not receive overtime pay for all of his or her travel hours because of the biweekly premium pay cap, all of the travel time is still considered to be compensable under 5 CFR 550.112(g)(2). Under these circumstances, the employee has been compensated fully under the law for all of the travel hours and the employee may not earn compensatory time off for any portion of such travel not generating additional compensation because of the biweekly cap on premium pay.

• Q42. May an employee who receives administratively uncontrollable overtime (AUO) pay under 5 U.S.C. 5545(c)(2) earn compensatory time off for travel? View more A. If such employee's travel time is not compensable under 5 CFR 550.112(g) or 5 CFR 551.422, as applicable, and meets the requirements in 5 CFR part 550, subpart N, the employee is eligible to earn compensatory time off for travel for time spent in a travel status.
• Q43. If a part-time employee's regularly scheduled tour of duty is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the employee is required to travel on a Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., is the employee entitled to earn compensatory time off for travel for those 2 hours? View more A. It depends. If the travel qualifies as compensable hours of work under 5 U.S.C. 5542(b)(2)(B) and 5 CFR 550.112(g)(2)—i.e., the travel involves or is incident to the performance of actual work, is carried out under arduous and unusual conditions, or results from an event which could not be scheduled or controlled administratively—the employee may not be credited with compensatory time off for travel hours. (Such travel time outside a part-time employee's scheduled tour of duty, but not in excess of 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, would be non-overtime hours of work compensated at the employee's rate of basic pay.) If the travel time does not qualify as compensable hours of work and meets the other requirements in 5 CFR part 550, subpart N, the part-time employee would be entitled to earn compensatory time off for those 2 hours. We note travel time is always compensable hours of work if it falls within an employee's regularly scheduled administrative workweek. (See 5 U.S.C. 5542(b)(2)(A) and 5 CFR 550.112(g)(1).) For a part-time employee, the regularly scheduled administrative workweek is defined in 5 CFR 550.103 as the officially prescribed days and hours within an administrative workweek during which the employee was scheduled to work in advance of the workweek. An agency may not adjust the regularly scheduled administrative workweek normally applied to an employee (part-time or full-time) solely for the purpose of including planned travel time otherwise not considered compensable hours of work.
• Q44. Does an upgrade in travel accommodations impact an employee's entitlement to compensatory time off for travel? View more A. Allowing an employee to upgrade his or her travel accommodations (e.g., to business class) does not eliminate his or her eligibility to earn compensatory time off for travel.

All Mars Resources

Perseverance’s ‘Bunsen Peak’ Sample

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover captured this image of a sample cored from a rock called “Bunsen Peak” on March 11,…

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Reaches Gediz Vallis Channel (360 View)

360-degree panorama provided by NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover. This view was captured at Gediz Vallis channel, a feature that formed…

Animation of Mars Helicopter Flight Test

This animation shows a simulation of the response of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter to the system identification, or “Sys-ID,” process.…

Rover, Helicopter Locations in Jezero Crater

This map shows the locations of NASA’ Perseverance rover (white star) and Ingenuity Mars Helicopter (cyan star) on Dec. 19,…

Sol 4132: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity took 31 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4130: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 31 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Perspective

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 30 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Left Navigation Camera, Vertical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 30 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Left Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Left Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Perspective

Sol 4128: Left Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Sol 4128: Mast-Mounted Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Perspective

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 30 image pairs in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Sol 4125: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 52 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4123: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 51 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4118: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 49 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

• Meet the team
• Our Services
• South Africa
• Get a quote

Experience bespoke travel with SL Travel, a leading agency for local and international holidays and packages. We offer tailored holiday planning and booking services to cater to your personal needs. Let us book your next dream holiday today!

Sun / Life / Travel

Featured packages.

Embark on an unforgettable journey with SL Travel’s Featured Packages, expertly crafted to deliver the best of local and international travel. Whether it’s the unspoiled beauty of South Africa or the enchanting landscapes of Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Thailand, or Dubai, we’ve got a package just for you.

aha Ivory Tree Game Lodge South Africa (2 Nights)

Vic Falls Safari Lodge Zimbabwe (3 Nights)

Beachcomber Mauritius (7 Nights)

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon Maldives (7 Nights)

Siyam World Maldives (7 Nights)

World Leisure Mauritius Maldives (7 Nights)

Oceanfront Beach Resort & Spa Thailand (7 Nights)

Each of our curated travel packages is designed with our travellers in mind, ensuring a balance of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. We believe in making every journey unique, hence we offer customisable itineraries to perfectly align with your interests and preferences.

Why you need us

Testimonials

Thanks so much for all your attention to detail in assisting 24 Carrots with our team’s travel as well as meeting expectations for our client’s needs. We have always had a great experience with you and your team, going beyond expectation with super efficiency.

I would like to say a huge thank you for the services provided by you thus far. you have made the stresfull experience of searching for the best multi city flight tickets, an absolute breeze and have made me feel as if i am your only client.. personalised service like this is rare to get these days, so i am absolutely grateful for this. i will most definitely be a returning client as the services provided by you are exceptional, i came across saloshni by a stroke of luck. i was looking for a complete travel solution for a trip and i sent an enquiry through – the next day, being a sunday, saloshni contacted me and got an idea of what i was looking for. within the next 3 days she had my quote ready, paid for my flights and accommodation and all so reasonably sourced and priced. i will in future only book my travel arrangements through saloshni. great service, thank you., cari du toit, i was introduced to saloshni by my cousin. i wanted to book a flight from germany to durban and from durban a weeks holiday in mauritius. i called and spoke to a ms. chetty. she was very helpfull and even could call her late evenings she was always ready to answer my questions. even though i live in germany all bookings were done thanks to the internet. anyone wanting to use saloshni chetty i recommend the travel agent 100%., syllesha naidoo, director, 24 carrots event design, ronnie pillay, subcribe to our newsletter.

Contact Number: +27 74 411 4681 [email protected]

Tel: +27 74 411 4681 [email protected]

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Visa & Health Rules

© Copyright 2023 SL Travel

• Our Adventures
• United States
• Polar Regions
• Caribbean & Mexico 
• Australia and New Zealand 
• Southeast Asia and Japan
• South America
• Ocean Cruising
• River Cruising
• Theme Parks
• LGBTQIA+ Travel
• Articles and Tips

Far Far Away Travels

Where have you always wanted to go.

We're here to help

We are Nichole and Gretchen and we are your personal travel agent. We also never stop traveling. For years, we’ve used our passion for travel to plan amazing trips for people. Let us make your next vacation an amazing one by taking the presure of planning it off your shoulders. 

 travel agent ada mi, travel agent near me,

Recent Posts

An Insider’s Guide to a Washington DC Visit

I was a resident of Washington DC for many years...

Visit Gorgeous Victoria, British Columbia

It's a very short trip from Seattle

Restore Work Life Balance With A Month Long WFH Cruise

Have you been feeling a bit run down, because I...

Everything to Know About Virgin Voyages New Loyalty Program

And you can match your status with other cruise lines!

Summer: The Best Time to Visit Seattle

Discover the heart of the Pacific Northwest

You Need To Try Virgin Voyages Unique Adult Only Cruise

Virgin’s adults only cruise policy is a refreshing alternative. In...

How to Save Money on Airfare 2024

We can help you avoid costly airfare mistakes

Richard Branson Gives Away Free Virgin Voyages Cruises

You can sail with Sir Richard!

 travel agent 49301, travel agent michigan

top Trending experiences

Lakeside in switzerland.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore.

Backpacking Switzerland

Cliffs of austria, wonders of italy, our planning makes happy customers.

travel agent ada mi, travel agent near me, travel agent 49301, travel agent michigan,

Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST15578 CST 2090937-50 Washington UBID No. 603189022 Iowa Registered Agency No. 1202

Destinations

• Caribbean and Mexico

Experiences

• Inspiration & Ideas
• Inspiration and Ideas

Why the New Jersey earthquake was felt several hundred miles away

Wendy Bohon, an earthquake geologist, was reading a budget report Friday morning at her home in Chesapeake Beach, Md., when she felt the unmistakable light shaking of an earthquake . The cat didn’t wake up. The dog looked around. A plant swayed.

The tremors traveled about 160 miles to Bohon’s home from a 4.8-magnitude earthquake near Whitehouse Station, N.J. It was a moderate earthquake from a geological point of view, with similar-sized quakes happening frequently all over the globe. But it marked a relatively infrequent event on the East Coast — one that jostled people across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast from their daily routines.

More than 150,000 people reported feeling the New Jersey earthquake, some from several hundred miles away, according to the United States Geological Survey , which collects reports of shaking. While the number of reports reflects the population density of the area, it also highlights a fundamental geological difference between the tectonically active West Coast and the East Coast, which is covered by old faults that occasionally get reactivated.

The underlying rock in the East Coast is old, cold and dense, and the faults have had time to heal, meaning that seismic waves travel farther than on the West Coast, where the crust is broken up by faults.

A 4.8-magnitude earthquake “is not generally big enough to cause damage, but big enough to be widely felt,” said Susan Hough, a seismologist with USGS. “Once an earthquake happens, the waves travel more efficiently in the east than in the west — the crust is older, colder and less broken up — that’s something we’ve seen over and over. You put a [4.8] in California, and it won’t be felt nearly as far as this one.”

East Coast earthquakes

Several geologists said that while an earthquake greater than 4 magnitude was not a frequent event on the East Coast, such events aren’t unexpected. In 2017, a 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Dover, Del. A 2011 5.8-magnitude earthquake near Mineral, Va., was believed to be felt by more people than any earthquake in U.S. history and resulted in significant damage, including to the Washington Monument and Washington National Cathedral in D.C. A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Reading, Pa., in 1994.

The New Jersey earthquake, which struck at 10:23 a.m. Friday, was relatively shallow, just three miles below the surface. The investigation into the quake will continue, but Christopher Carchedi, a seismologist at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, said a common cause of such earthquakes on the East Coast is the shifting of Earth’s surface after being weighed down by ice sheets from the last Ice Age.

“It’s otherwise an inactive fault, readjusting to the loss of the ice, most likely,” Carchedi said.

Hough said the region is generally considered a “passive margin” between North America and the Atlantic Ocean, meaning there’s no active fault or plate boundary. But she notes that one of her colleagues calls it a “passive-aggressive margin — because it will occasionally bite you.”

“Moderate earthquakes in the East are always uncommon enough to be interesting,” Hough said, noting that Friday’s will be intensely studied.

Shaking travels far

As soon as she felt the tremors, Bohon began counting down. Earthquakes unleash multiple kinds of seismic waves that travel through the Earth at different speeds. Measuring the time between the first shaking and the next set of waves can give a rough estimate of how close it was — similar to measuring the time between a flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder.

Bohon got to eight seconds, so she knew that the epicenter of the quake wasn’t very close. Then, she began looking up local seismic reports to make sure she hadn’t imagined it.

I swear I just felt in earthquake in Maryland, — Wendy Bohon, PhD 🌏 (@DrWendyRocks) April 5, 2024

It has long been known that earthquake shaking travels farther on the East Coast than on the West Coast. The USGS says earthquakes can be felt over an area 10 times larger on the East Coast.

On the West Coast, “the rocks are warmer, so they are more active, they’ve experienced activity more recently — so they’re warmer and will attenuate or absorb some of the seismic energy as they pass through that rock,” Carchedi said.

By contrast, the rocks are cold and brittle on the East Coast, and they transfer seismic energy much better than the West Coast.

Friday’s temblor is a reminder, Bohon said, that while people think of earthquakes as a West Coast phenomenon, they can happen anywhere.

Driving Time Calculator

Driving time between two cities.

Travelmath helps you find the driving time based on actual directions for your road trip. You can find out how long it will take to drive between any two cities, airports, states, countries, or zip codes. This can also help you plan the best route to travel to your destination. Compare the results with the flight time calculator to see how much longer it might take to drive the distance instead of flying. You can also print out pages with a travel map.

You may want to search for the driving distance instead. Or if you're thinking about flying, make sure you compare flight times between airports. For a long road trip, check the cost calculator to see if it's within your budget.

Home  ·  About  ·  Terms  ·  Privacy