Transportation is an integral part of traveling in Sri Lanka. It's always a genuine adventure. For several reasons: the atmosphere among the vehicles, the sublime landscapes that form the Sri Lankan countryside, and sometimes the length of certain journeys. But as they say, the important thing isn't the destination, but the journey itself!

The train remains the most pleasant mode of transport for travelers, and is indeed the most popular. The 1,500 kilometers of railway lines cover the entire territory, offering a sense of freedom and lightness like no other. The issue is that some routes are long—very long indeed—even if the distance between the two cities isn't enormous. The cruising speed, so appreciated by travelers who love enjoying the scenery, doesn't allow you to reach a city at a moderate distance as quickly as by bus. Although length can sometimes be a drawback, we still recommend the train for very long journeys. Whether interminable or quite long, you might as well choose the most pleasant vehicle. However, some of these trains can occasionally be full, so be sure to book at the station early.

Buses Connecting Each Sri Lankan City

The bus remains very practical, except when the driver suddenly becomes a fan of wild racing and weaves between cars. You'll find numerous bus stations in the heart of the country's largest cities. These are populated by countless private companies, and one public operator (SLTB): the one that operates the red buses. Tickets are more expensive with private bus companies, but they offer superior comfort. We'll detail here each distance and travel time from Colombo to the capitals of Sri Lanka's 8 other provinces. In Colombo, you'll find numerous bus stations; Bastian Mawatha is one of them, but choose the one that suits your location in the city best. Don't hesitate to ask station controllers and supervisors to guide you on your route and which bus to take, as signage and directions are often quite vague. We've provided hyperlinked routes on a map of the country.

From Colombo to Kurunegala, in the North-Western province: 105 kilometers, 2 hours and 30 minutes of driving.

From Colombo to Ratnapura, in the Sabaragamuwa province: 115 kilometers, 2 hours and 45 minutes of driving.

From Colombo to Galle, in the Southern province: 150 kilometers, 2 hours and 10 minutes of driving.

From Colombo to Kandy, in the Central province: 125 kilometers, 3 hours and 30 minutes of travel.

From Colombo to Badulla, in the Uva province: 240 kilometers, 6 hours of travel.

From Colombo to Trincomalee, in the Eastern province: 270 kilometers, 5 hours and 50 minutes of driving.

From Colombo to Anuradhapura, in the North Central province: 200 kilometers, 4 hours and 15 minutes of travel.

From Colombo to Jaffna, in the Northern province: 400 kilometers, 8 hours of travel.