Colombo to Galle by train, bus or road

Every option, compared

Door-to-door times (flights include the time at the airports). Fares are typical ranges from the cheapest seat to the premium one.

• Train, Coastal train, Colombo Fort–Galle: The coast line runs along the beach for much of the way: sit on the right-hand side going south. Express trains take about 2 h, slow ones 3.5 h.
• Bus, Expressway bus (Makumbura or Kadawatha to Galle): Air-con buses on the Southern Expressway, every 15-30 minutes from Makumbura, south of Colombo.
• Private car, Car with driver / PickMe, per vehicle: On the Southern Expressway; tolls included.

Booking links open the route on the country's transport booking site for trains, buses, boats and transfers, and a flight search for flights, dated about two weeks out; change the date there.

What it costs your group, one way

Fares × people; a private car is priced per car, one car per four people.

Once you’re in Galle

• Best time: December – April
• Typical stay: 2 days
• November: Mixed month: November is outside the recommended season (December – April). Against it: Inter-Monsoon Storms.

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