Colombo, the busy, and often chaotic, Capital of Sri Lanka is most people’s arrival destination by air. While there are a few sights to see in and around Colombo you’ll soon want to head out and one of the more popular routes is from Colombo to Galle. On the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, Galle is the provincial capital of the aptly named Southern Province. A longtime popular destination for Dutch, Portuguese and British explorers and traders, it has found renewed fame with tourists.
Key Points on Travel Between Colombo, and Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Today there is an inland highway between Colombo and Galle, it’s less scenic than the old coastal route, but much faster. The drive time by bus or car should be about 1.5 hours.
- If you don’t want to stay in or near Galle, you can still visit. You may book a day trip to Galle from Colombo (or Negombo, the airport) to see Galle Fort along with a boat trip on the Madu River, a turtle hatchery visit and seeing the stilt fishermen of Kogalla. Check out that Galle tour here.
- If you want to book the bus or train between Colombo and Galle, or anywhere in Sri Lanka, we recommend 12GoAsia, use our widget, below.
Leave us a comment. We love to talk to our readers and find out, from you, how we can best help you. We read and respond to everyone.
Colombo to Galle
There are multiple ways to get to Galle from Colombo, including bus, train, and road, we look at how to get to Galle, costs, and where to stay in Galle on arrival.
You can go all the way to Galle or choose to get off the train or bus sooner, at one of the many southern beaches.
The old train track and roads mostly hug the coast along the west coast of Sri Lanka
All information is intended as a guide only, based on personal opinion and experience. Please check all the information we provide thoroughly for yourself, just-in-case things have changed.
Colombo to Galle Distance
Colombo is 126 Km (78 miles approx) from Galle if you take the fairly direct road route – the Southern Expressway – the highway. The highway does have a small toll fee.
The journey from Colombo to Galle by road should take 1.5 to 2 hours, traffic allowing.
The old train line and coast road hug the shore.
If you choose the train your journey could be under 2 hours or over 4 hours. There are faster and slower trains, see train information below. The train journey times are available if you look at your train options here.
Colombo Airport to Galle
Colombo airport – Bandaranaike International Airport – is quite a way outside Colombo city – it’s 32 Km north of the city.
Fort Train Station and the Colombo bus stations aren’t exactly nearby.
If you plan on travelling directly from Colombo airport to Galle, the only way, really, is to take a taxi or private car. There was a taxi office inside the airport which may make this very simple for you. I think this way is probably going to cost you more. Alternatively, book an airport transfer into Colombo, in advance, here.
The cost of a car should be about $39-52 US (online) – to give you an idea. (2024 prices on 12GoAsia)
Alternatively, you could take a tuk-tuk into Colombo to catch the train. Tuk-tuks normally wait outside the airport perimeter fence. We don’t think it’s worth the hassle to go find a tuk tuk.
We’ve taken the bus to Colombo airport from nearby but it wasn’t very convenient, the stop is a fair way away.
If you’re happy to pay for a taxi, you’ll most likely be staying in a hotel, try to find one with a free airport transfer included.
Beware paying for hotel transfers, as organising your own taxi on arrival will probably be cheaper.
Colombo to Galle by Bus
One of the easiest and quickest ways to get to Galle is by the local bus. With the new expressway, you have two options as opposed to just the coastal road.
The coastal road takes longer but is much more scenic and the journey is on older buses.
The express buses which, as the name suggests, follow the expressway to the south has new buses that are more comfortable and have A/C. Book those buses here, should be under $10 US.
Bastian Mawatha Bus Station
Bastian Mawatha Bus station is centrally located just down from Fort railway station in central Colombo. Most long-distance buses leave from here and for both minibuses and the larger public buses, you should find a ride here.
The bus frequency was about every 20 minutes from 5 am. During peak hours this will increase as will the number of people trying to get on.
The cheapest bus was the government-run buses followed by private buses and then the minivans.
The government buses are probably in the worst condition followed by private buses and minivans. It’s worth noting that if you’re over 6 feet tall, the minivans are very crowded with the middle seats folding down. Legroom can be non-existent which can make a 3-hour trip terrible.
We tend to gravitate towards the larger private buses, although we have caught minibuses for shorter trips.
Colombo to Galle Bus Costs & Prices
Costs for the trip are as follows and these figures were accurate for 2024 with prices checked on 12GoAsia.
It isn’t uncommon for drivers to try and charge more and these are approximate costs, that’s a good reason to book your ticket online.
As you can see public transport in Sri Lanka is usually ridiculously cheap so it isn’t worth worrying about 50 cents here or there.
It’s more important to make sure you’re happy with the bus and the driver.
- Bus fare $6 USD, for a tourist quality bus or coach, about 1.5 hours journey time on the Expressway.
- Train fare $5 USD on a more modern train, first class, about 2.5 hours journey time.
- Taxi fare, $56 to $85 1.5 to 2.5 hours journey time approx.
As taxis are so much more expensive than public transport, a family won’t find a taxi cheaper as they do in so many destinations. Just look closely at where the buses and trains depart. There may be significant added costs in getting to the departure point for the public transport options.
Maharagama Bus Station
Maharagama bus station isn’t near the city centre of Colombo, infact, it’s 15 km to the south. This can make getting there a real issue and this may take as long as the trip to Galle.
Peak-hour traffic is to be avoided at all costs in Colombo.
From Fort Railway Station we were able to catch bus 138 for Rs.35, 25 cents but be warned they don’t like bulky luggage and the journey can take at best 30 minutes or worst up to 3 hours. This was several years ago now.
I’ll just repeat that this information may have changed. Nobody notifies us if routes or fares change, we just try to stay up-to-date as much as possible.
Getting a taxi can be a better option, especially if you’re not at Fort Station.
Uber plus a host of taxi companies operate in and around Colombo so it shouldn’t be hard to find one.
This bus station had a bad reputation as there was no shelter from either the sun or the rain. Both are likely, depending on when you visit Sri Lanka.
Food vendors were also thin on the ground at this bus station. The bus won’t stop for refreshments so stock up before you leave.
Colombo to Galle Express Bus & Price
From the bus station, the express buses head south on the Expressway. There isn’t much to see as the road heads inland and straight down.
It is approximately 90 minutes to Galle via this road.
This is significantly quicker than the coastal road but not nearly as scenic or satisfying. The buses are of better quality and the cost will reflect this.
A lot of commuters will use this to travel daily to Colombo for work. Avoid peak times to make sure you get on the bus. Frequency is similar to the coastal route. A 5 am start with 20 minute intervals.
Cost to Galle via Expressway, upwards of $6 USD. Still ridiculously cheap. Take a look at available buses here.
Colombo to Galle by Car
With the new inland highway, this is the quickest way but it is up to you whether you take this route or the more scenic coastal road. Both have pros and cons and it comes down to personal choice.
This is by far the most expensive way of getting from Colombo to Galle but if time is limited can be the best way.
My first time here we arrived close to midnight and weren’t stopping in Colombo so headed straight from the airport to Galle via the coastal road (the new expressway wasn’t built).
You will need to pre-arrange a car to take you from either the airport or Colombo. The airport has a desk where you can do this and the price is set.
Hotels can arrange this in Colombo or you can use one of the many apps or websites that are now available, including 12GoAsia.
Currently Uber only operates within a 30 km radius of Colombo. (at first time of writing, this may have changed) Kangaroo Cabs or Grab may be a possibility.
Specify if you want to go via the coast as most will use the expressway and price accordingly. The coastal road will quite likely cost more due to the added time.
Cost of Getting From Colombo – Galle by Taxi or Car
Costs are still competitive but higher than public transport. This is for the expressway route. Prices are a guide only and were correct according to 12Go Asia for November 2024 – please check.
- Expect to pay $55 -$85 USD from Colombo City Centre to Galle (book here) approx.
- Expect to pay $94 USD from Colombo airport to Galle (book here) approx.
Colombo to Galle by Train
The train journey along the coast is beautiful and takes you through many coastal villages. This railway line also passes through a number of major cities and towns like Kalutara, Beruwala, Aluthgama, Bentota, Balapitiya, and Hikkaduwa and offers views of modern and colonial Sri Lanka from the comfort of your seat.
Riding the trains is my preferred way of travel in Sri Lanka and especially the Colombo to Galle route.
You don’t have to worry about peak hour traffic but be mindful that you may not get a seat if the train has come down from Kandy or further north.
There are now tourist carriages that operate on the interstate and express trains. Offering food, wifi and allocated comfortable seats, the carriages are part of the normal train but come with an increased fair and in some ways, isolation from the joys of train travel in Sri Lanka.
They are sometimes run by 3rd parties contracted to Sri Lankan rail.
Class of Train Tickets & Prices
The following is a guide to the costs for a ticket from Colombo Fort to Galle.
There are 3 classes of train although you’d probably not want to travel in 3rd class as it is extremely crowded and stops at all stations making the journey long.
The prices, like the bus, are incredibly cheap. If you want first-class it pays to book as early as possible as there aren’t many seats and they go quickly. First class is still cheap.
It’s worth noting that nearly all the trains continue on to Matara which is about 90 minutes along the coast past Galle.
If you’re staying on that side of Galle the stations after Galle may be better suited to alight. Just make sure that the train stops.
Train Costs For Colombo to Galle
These train prices are a guide only, to compare the relative prices of the various classes of train from a few years ago.
- Rajadhani car Rs.990, $9 USD. (Only one a day at that time)
- 2nd Class Rs.180 , $1.30 USD
- 3rd Class Rs.100, $0.75 USD
How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka
There are 3 main ways of booking train tickets in Sri Lanka that we have found.
- Pay an agent or tout a fee.
- Go to the train station yourself
- Use 12Go Asia to book online here, tiny fee, tickets can even be delivered internationally.
From Colombo to Galle by Plane
There isn’t an airport close to Galle. The nearest besides Colombo (which is actually the closest and lies towards Negombo) would be Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala. That is 150km due east with Colombo only 120km north.
It has been named the emptiest international airport. Few flights operate from here and most still fly via Colombo.
Best Places to Stay in Galle
Galle has a host of accommodation options at nearly every price point. From five-star resorts to simple homestays and everything in between.
There are a few boutique hotels within Galle Fort itself also hotels and hostels in Galle town. There are some lovely villas in the hills around Galle.
Unawatuna is not far from Galle. This lovely beach town is a superb destination. You can easily take a tuk tuk from Galle.
We use various hotel booking engines to find the best deals. Agoda is an expert for Asia and we find they usually have the best selection.
To see all the hotels Agoda offers in and around Galle Click Here If you prefer Booking.com please Try Here. Hotels Combined is a comparison site, it will check multiple online booking engines If you’d like to give them a try,
Things To Do In Galle
Once you’ve made it from Colombo to Galle, consider places of interest like the Galle fort, nearby beaches and markets along with various day trips from Galle.
We have a full post on Things to do in Galle here, it includes information on what you’ll find inside Galle fort.
Colombo Galle Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoy Sri Lanka, it’s one of our favourite travel destinations. We’d really recommend the train, but whichever method of getting to Galle from Colombo you pick, try to enjoy the journey and the views along the way. We highly recommend booking your tickets through 12 Go, it’s simple, no fuss, minimal expense and usually reliable. 12Go can also handle bus ticket bookings and better rates than most agents will give you. We use them, we recommend them. For more Sri Lanka information see our related posts below.
If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal!
We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance.
Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!