Best Ways: How to Get from Colombo to Galle

Are you looking for the best ways to get from Colombo to Galle, Sri Lanka? The old town of Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the perfect base for visiting the Galle Dutch Fort and exploring the Unawatuna area, so you should add it to your Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Getting to Galle may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are a few ways to get there. You can easily get to Galle by train, bus, tuk tuk, or taxi.

In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Colombo to Galle, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.

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How far is Galle from Colombo?

The distance between Colombo and Galle is about 145 km, which is 1.5-3 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

Getting from Colombo to Galle

There are several ways to get to Galle from Colombo: by train (2-2.5 hours), by bus (1.5-3 hours), and by taxi (2.5-3 hours).

If you have limited time in Sri Lanka, take a day trip to Galle.

Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a train or bus ticket will cost.

How to Get from Colombo to Galle by train

If you’re looking for the best way to reach Galle, we recommend taking the train instead of the bus.

The scenic train journey from Colombo to Galle takes 2-2.5 hours.

You can easily buy your train tickets online through 12Go or Bookaway!

As the train is one of the most popular and cheapest modes of transport in Sri Lanka, the tickets sell out quickly at the train station! Therefore, we recommend buying them days in advance (especially in high season).

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Train from Colombo Fort to Galle

After arrival, if you want to continue your journey by train to Galle, Kandy, or Sigiriya, you will need to travel from Colombo Airport to Colombo Fort.

The distance between Colombo Airport and Colombo Fort is about 35 km, and the travel time is approximately 40-50 minutes.

You can get to Colombo Fort Railway Station by express bus, taxi, or local bus.

Book your minivan to Colombo Fort.

Good to know
Uber and PickMe are available at Colombo Airport.

Train schedule from Colombo to Galle

The trains run several times a day between 6:10 AM and 19:30 PM.

06:10-08:01 (Saturday & Sunday only)
06:50-09:19
08:35-10:53
10:30-12:42
14:40-16:39
15:50-17:34
16:30-18:31 (Sunday only)
16:46-18:46
17:25-19:37 (Saturday & Sunday only)
17:50-21:15 (Saturday & Sunday only)
19:30-22:58

TIP
You must arrive at the railway station boarding point at least 30 minutes before departure!

Colombo to Galle train ticket price

Several direct trains run daily between Colombo Fort and Galle. The first class seats start from 5 USD, and the second class seats from 500 LKR (1,50 USD) per person.

Get Train Tickets.

Colombo Airport to Galle

Unfortunately, there is no direct bus connection from Colombo Airport to Galle. Therefore, first you need to get to Colombo city center by Express bus, taxi or local bus.

The Express bus runs every 30 minutes between 5:30 AM and 8:30 PM. The bus ticket costs about 500 LKR (1,50 USD), and the journey takes 1 hour, depending on traffic.

Read the full post → From Colombo Airport to City Center

How to Get from Colombo to Galle by bus

The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Galle is to take a local bus.

From the Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal (Pettah), take the No. 2-1 bus to Galle. The bus tickets start at around 2 USD per person, and the journey takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.

Between Colombo and Galle, buses run frequently from 5 AM, departing every 20 minutes.

The local buses are uncomfortable as they are often overcrowded, and not all have air conditioning. We do not recommend traveling by bus if you have a lot of luggage as you may have to pay extra for luggage.

Take care of your valuables, as minor thefts or pickpockets may occur on public transport!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

If you want to travel by bus, bring local money, as you can buy your bus ticket after boarding.

Colombo to Galle by highway bus

Take the No. EX001 bus from Makumbura Multimodal Center to Galle bus stop, departing every 20 minutes from 5:20 AM to 9 PM daily.

The coastal road takes longer but is much more scenic than the bus ride on the expressways. Galle is only 1.5-2 hours away by bus on the expressway.

Bus tickets start from 7 USD per person. These buses are more comfortable than the local buses and include toilet stops.

Get Bus Tickets.

However, Makumbura Highway Bus Stand is about 50 minutes away from Colombo Fort, and you can only get there by taxi, tuk tuk, or Uber, so the cost adds up quickly!

TIP
You can catch a taxi from Colombo Fort Station to Makumbura Bus Stand for 10-15 USD, but try to negotiate.

Getting to Galle by tuk tuk

Although there are several ways to get to Galle, you will need a mode of transport on arrival to discover the best attractions around Galle and the Unawatuna area.

Therefore, one of the most exciting and best ways to get from Colombo to Galle is to rent a tuk tuk and drive there yourself.

The journey time by tuk tuk is approximately 4-5 hours. We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.

Save money, use our coupon code dittusandmate and get a 5% discount on tuktukrental.com.

Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

How to Get from Colombo to Galle by taxi

One of the most comfortable and fastest ways to reach Galle is by taxi.

A taxi cost from Colombo Airport to Galle starts from 80 USD. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable! The journey time is 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.

TIP
The local taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!

Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from the airport to Galle (any hotel) starting from 50 USD.

Where to Stay in Galle

Galle has some boutique hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Galle, Sri Lanka

Luxury: Galle Fort Hotel
Mid-Range: Taru Villas Rampart Street or Le Jardin Du Fort
Budget: Indika Beach Villa

more hotels in Galle

TIP
Alternatively, stay in Unawatuna, a 15-minute drive from Galle.

More Travel Guides about Sri Lanka

We hope our post on how to get from Colombo to Galle will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

Best Ways: How to Get from Colombo to Galle