Getting Around Sri Lanka
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use colorful trains for Colombo and hill country. Rural: Rent a car for coastal and cultural sites exploration. Beaches: Tuk-tuks and buses. For convenience, book airport transfers from Colombo to your destination.
Train Travel
Sri Lanka Railways
Scenic and affordable network connecting Colombo to Kandy, Ella, and coastal towns with daily services.
Cost: Colombo to Kandy $2-5 (LKR 500-1500), journeys 3-5 hours for hill routes.
Tickets: Buy via official website, app, or station counters. Reservations essential for 1st class.
Peak Times: Avoid December-February holidays for better availability and seats.
Rail Passes
Intercity passes offer unlimited travel for 5-14 days from $20-50, ideal for backpackers.
Best For: Multiple hill and coastal trips, savings on 4+ journeys.
Where to Buy: Major stations like Colombo Fort or online with e-ticket delivery.
Scenic Routes
Iconic lines like Kandy-Ella through tea plantations, with observation cars on select trains.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 months ahead for peak season, tourist quotas available.
Main Stations: Colombo Fort for departures, with connections to all regions.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for flexible exploration of national parks and beaches. Compare rental prices from $30-50/day at Colombo Airport and major cities.
Requirements: International license, credit card, minimum age 23, driver with experience.
Insurance: Full coverage advised due to road conditions, includes theft and collision.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 100 km/h expressways.
Tolls: Expressways like E01 require electronic tags ($5-10 for short trips).
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and animals, chaotic traffic in cities requires caution.
Parking: Free in rural areas, metered $1-2/hour in Colombo, use hotel lots.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations common at $1.20-1.50/liter for petrol, $1.10-1.40 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation in remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Colombo during monsoons and rush hours.
Urban Transport
Colombo Trains & Buses
Commuter rail and extensive bus network, single ticket $0.50-1 (LKR 100-300), day pass $3.
Validation: Pay conductor on buses, buy tokens for trains, overcrowding common.
Apps: Use PickMe or Uber for integrated routes and real-time tracking.
Bike & Tuk-Tuk Rentals
Tuk-tuk sharing in cities from $5-10/day, e-bikes available in tourist areas like Galle.
Routes: Flat coastal paths ideal, avoid hills without experience.
Tours: Guided tuk-tuk tours in Kandy and Sigiriya for safe sightseeing.
Buses & Local Services
CTB and private buses cover the island, $0.20-2 per ride depending on distance.
Tickets: Buy from conductor, air-conditioned options extra $1-2.
Intercity: Overnight buses to beaches, book seats in advance for comfort.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near train stations in cities for easy access, central Colombo or Kandy for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (December-March) and major festivals like Vesak.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for monsoon-affected travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G coverage in cities and coasts, 3G in rural hill areas.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Dialog, Mobitel, and Hutch offer prepaid SIMs from $5-15 with island-wide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, shops, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for $10, 10GB for $15, unlimited for $25/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, guesthouses, and tourist cafes, spotty in remote areas.
Public Hotspots: Major stations and malls have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally 10-50 Mbps in urban areas, suitable for browsing and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST), UTC+5:30, no daylight saving.
- Airport Transfers: Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) 30km from Colombo, train to center $1 (1 hour), taxi $15, or book private transfer for $20-30.
- Luggage Storage: Available at train stations ($2-5/day) and airport services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Trains and buses have limited access, many sites like Sigiriya require steps.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains with permit ($5), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on trains for $2, folding bikes free on local buses.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Sri Lanka
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main gateway. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Bandaranaike (CMB): Primary international hub, 30km north of Colombo with train connections.
Mattala Rajapaksa (HRI): Southern airport for domestic and some international, bus to Colombo $10 (4 hours).
Ratmalana (RML): Small domestic airport near Colombo for regional flights.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season (December-March) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Male (Maldives) and taking ferry/boat to southern Sri Lanka for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
AirAsia, IndiGo, and Flydubai serve CMB with Asian and Middle East connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee $2-4, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in cities, cash preferred in rural spots.
- Contactless Payment: Growing use, Apple Pay and Google Pay in urban hotels and shops.
- Cash: Essential for tuk-tuks, markets, and small vendors, keep $50-100 in small notes.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, add 10% in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.