Train
The train is a great way to enjoy the nature, culture, and lifestyle of Sri Lanka. It is not the most modern or fastest railway systems in the world. But railway travel in Sri Lanka is a unique experience. Colombo Fort is the main railway hub in Sri Lanka. From Colombo railway links to major cities such as Kandy, Galle, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Negombo, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa. Also, it is by far the cheapest transport method in Sri Lanka. Furthermore most of the times faster than the road transport. Government-owned Sri Lanka Railway Department is the sole railway operator in Sri Lanka.
Routes
Colombo – Kandy – Badulla Line
Colombo – Kandy – Badulla is the most popular and most scenic railway line in Sri Lanka. Especially, Kandy (Peradeniya) – Badulla section of this railway like winds through hills, tea plantations, passing tunnels is among the most scenic railway lines in the world.
Popular destination on Colombo – Badulla Main Line
- Rambukkana (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage)
- Peradeniya (Peradeniya Botanical Gardens)
- Kandy (Temple of Tooth)
- Hatton (Adams Peak)
- Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya)
- Pattipola (Horton Plains National Park)
- Ella (Ella Rock)
Colombo – Galle – Matara Coastal Line
The coastal line runs mostly alongside the Western and Sothern coastline of Sri Lanka. It is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Indian Ocean. This line connects popular southern beach resorts.
Popular destination on Colombo – Matara Line
- Wadduwa
- Beruwala
- Bentota
- Hikkaduwa
- Galle
- Unawatuna
- Koggala
- Weligama
- Mirissa
Colombo – Anuradhapura – Jaffna Nothern Line
The Nothern line connects Colombo to Anuradhapura and Jaffna, the northernmost city of Sri Lanka. This line branch off from Colombo – Badulla main line at Polgahawela Junction.
Popular destinations on Colombo – Jaffna Line
- Anuradhapura (Ancient city of Anuradhapura a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mihintale).
Colombo – Trincomalee, and Colombo – Batticaloa line
This line connects important cultural triangle cities of Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa as well as popular beach resorts in Trincomalee and Pasikuda.Trincomalee and Batticaloa line branch off from Nothern line at Maho junction. Late at Gal Oya junction Trincomalee line branch off from Batticaloa line. For some services, same train leave from Colombo Fort and compartments separated into two trains in Gal Oya junction. One head towards Trincomalee and other to Batticaloa. Travelers should be aware of this to avoid woke up at the wrong destination especially when traveling in night trains.
Popular destinations on Colombo – Trincomalee – Batticaloa Line
- Kekirawa (Dambulla cave temple.)
- Habarana (Sigiriya, Elephant safaris in Kaudulla and Minneriya National Parks.)
- Polonnaruwa (Ancient city of Polonnaruwa, A UNESCO World Heritage site.)
Destinations on Trincomalee Line
- Trincomalee (Nilaveli, Pigeon Island, Marble Beach)
Destinations on Batticaloa Line
- Kalkudah (Pasikuda Beach)
Colombo – Negombo – Puttalam Line
Colombo – Puttalam line connects Colombo International Airpot in Katunayaka to Colombo Fort as well as to the Negombo beach resort. This line branch off from Colombo-Badulla Main Line at Ragama railway station.
Popular destinations on Colombo – Puttalam line
- Katunayake South (Colombo International Airport)
- Negombo
Services
There are four main categories of railway services in Sri Lanka.
- Intercity Express
- Express and Semi-express
- Commuter
Intercity Express is the fasted railway services in Sri Lanka. It operates on Colombo – Kandy, Colombo – Nanuoya (Nuwara Eliya), Colombo – Batticaloa, and Colombo – Jaffna routes. Fares are higher than other train services. And only stops at the major stations along the route.
Express daytime trains and Express night trains operate on Colombo – Badulla Route. Also, Semi-Express night trains operate on Colombo – Batticaloa, Colombo – Trincomalee, and Colombo – Vavuniya.
Commuter trains run between Colombo and Suburbs serving mainly daily commuters. Offers only non-reserved 3rd class. Heavily crowded on office and school hours. Some trains stop at all stations while some are semi-express.
Fares
There are several fare categories with varying levels of facilities and comfort levels. Also, some classes are only available on limited routes. Fares provided in the following list are the highest fare on that specific route. Hence fares to a destination before the final destination can be cheaper in some fare classes. Also, there are two types of express trains namely Intercity Express Trains and Normal Express Trains. So fares in Intercity Express Trains are higher than Fares in normal express trains. (All the fares given in brackets are for reference only. Actual fares can be different)
Exporail – Update: Operation are currently suspended
Air-conditioned luxury rail cars with meals. Can be reserved online from http://www.exporail.lk/. Available on following routes.
- Colombo – Kandy (One way – LKR 1450, Round Trip – LKR 2900)
- Colombo – Badulla (One way – LKR 2400, Round Trip – LKR 3950)
ExpoRail carriage attached to a train
The 1st class observation car
1st class observation car is a Non-AC reserved seat car with huge glass windows which allows the passengers to enjoy the scenery. This is attached to the train as the last compartment. And seats face large rear windows. It is available on the following routes.
- Colombo – Kandy (One way – LKR 500)
- Colombo – Nanuoya / Nuwara Eliya (One way – LKR 1000)
- Colombo – Jaffna (One way – LKR 1500)
- Colombo – Batticaloa (One way – LKR 1500)
Airconditioned 1st class
First class air-conditioned reserved seats available on following routes.
1st class berths
First class non-air-conditioned reserved sleeping berths are available on following night mail trains.
- Colombo – Badulla (One way – LKR 1250)
- Colombo – Trincomalee (One way – LKR 750)
- Colombo – Vavuniya (One way – LKR 1000)
- Colombo – Batticaloa (One way – LKR 1250)
2nd class and 3rd class sleeperettes
Second class non-airconditioned reclining seats are available on following night mail trains. The only difference between 2nd and 3rd class sleeperettes is second class seats are more comfortable. This is available on the following routes. (2nd class fare is shown in the brackets. The 3rd class fare is a bit lower).
- Colombo – Badulla (One way – LKR 600)
- Colombo – Trincomalee (One way – LKR 450)
- Colombo – Vavuniya (One way – LKR 500)
- Colombo – Batticaloa (One way – LKR 600)
Non-reserved 2nd class and 3rd class
Nonreserved 2nd class and 3rd class seats are available on all the long-distance lines. Ticket prices are less than reserved seats. 2nd class seats are more comfortable than 3rd class seats. But the biggest difference is the 2nd class is less crowded than 3rd class became tickets are bit expensive. Also, 3rd class compartments can get extremely crowded to the extent that even standing can be difficult. So It is not uncommon to see passengers traveling on the footboard of 3rd class compartments. Hence Traveling long distances on 3rd class compartments can be very uncomfortable.
Reservation.
There is no official way to reserve tickets online. But there are private agents who do reservations for an extra fee. Seats to popular destinations such as Kandy, Badulla, Nanuoya (Nuwara Eliya), Batticaloa, and Jaffna are difficult to reserve on school vacation months of April, August, and December due to the increased number of local passengers. Reservations can be made by visiting following railway stations from 30 days before departure date. Additionally, reservations can be done from Sri Lanka by dialing 444 from a Dialog phone. 365 from Mobitel or Etisalat Phone Lines and 1265 by SLT phones from 30 days before the date of the journey for Intercity and AC Intercity Trains.
Contact Person – Station Superintendent/ Station Master
- Colombo Fort Railway Station (Reservation Office) – +94-11-2432908
- Kandy Railway Station – +94-81-2222271
- Badulla Railway Station -+94-55-2222271
- Anuradhapura Railway Station -+94-25-2222271
- Vavuniya Railway Station -+94-24-2222271
- Jaffna Railway Station -+94-21-2222271
(Source – Sri Lanka Railways)
Train timetable and fares for popular destinations
Colombo to Kandy / Rambukkana (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage) Train Timetable and Approximate Fares
| Colombo to Kandy | |||
| Colombo Fort Railway Station | map link | Kandy Railway Station | map link |
| From Colombo Fort to Kandy | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 05:55 - 08:42 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 07:00 - 09:31 | Intercity | Daily | Exporail, 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:30 - 11:03 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:00 - 11:31 | Intercity | Saturday, Sunday and Holidays | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:35 - 13:52 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:40 - 16:04 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:20 - 17:31 | Commuter | Friday and Saturday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:35 - 18:06 | Intercity | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:35 - 19:42 | Express | Saturday, Sunday and Holidays | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:45 - 20:58 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| From Kandy to Colombo Fort | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 05:00 - 08:13 | Long distance | Sunday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 06:15 - 08:52 | Intercity | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 06:30 - 09:45 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:30 - 14:03 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:50 - 15:27 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:00 - 17:36 | Intercity | Daily | Exporail, 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:30 - 18:50 | Express | Saturday and Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:05 - 18:57 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:55 - 19:30 | Intercity | Saturday, Sunday and Holidays | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| Exporail | LKR 1450 | Intercity fares are slightly higher. | |
| 1st Class | LKR 350 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 200 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 120 | ||
| Colombo to Rambukkana (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage) | |||
| Colombo Fort Railway Station | map link | Rambukkana Railway Station | map link |
| From Colombo Fort to Rambukkana | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 05:55 - 07:29 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:30 - 09:55 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:45 - 11:19 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Additional to these express trains, commuter trains run between Colombo Fort and Rambukkana approximately every 30 minutes / 1 hour from 04:00 to 20:00. Last train leaves from Colombo Fort at 23:00. Commuter trains mostly offer only non-reserved 3rd class seating while some offer both non-reserved 2nd Class and 3rd Class and take between 2 hours - 2.5 hours for the journey and stop at most stations along the way. | |||
| From Rambukkana to Colombo Fort | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 13:57 - 15:27 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:25 - 18:57 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 19:15 - 20:53 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Additional to these express trains, commuter trains run between Rambukkana and Colombo Fort approximately every 1 - 2 hour from 03:24 to 19:15. Last train leaves from Rambukkana at 19:15. Commuter trains mostly offer only non-reserved 3rd class seating while some offer both non-reserved 2nd Class and 3rd Class. Journey time is between 2 hours - 2.5 hours and stop at most stations along the way. | |||
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 1st Class | LKR 280 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 150 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 100 | ||
| Kandy to Rambukkana (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage) | |||
| Kandy Railway Station | map link | Rambukkana Railway Station | map link |
| From Kandy to Rambukkana | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 12:50 - 13:56 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:30 - 16:58 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:05 - 17:24 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Additional to these express trains, commuter trains run between Kandy and Rambukkana. Schedule is as follows. 01:30 - 02:54, 05:00 - 06:24, 06:30 - 07:56, 10:30 - 12:13, 12:50 - 13:56, 14:00 - 15:23, 15:30 - 16:58, 16:05 - 17:24, 18:10 - 19:37, 20:30 - 22:12 Commuter trains mostly offer only non-reserved 3rd class seating while some offer both non-reserved 2nd Class and 3rd Class. |
|||
| From Rambukkana to Kandy | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 07:31 - 08:42 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:56 - 11:03 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Additional to these express trains, commuter trains run between Rambukkana and Kandy. Schedule is as follows. 04:40 - 06:11, 05:55 - 07:35, 07:31 - 08:42, 09:56 - 11:03, 12:19 - 13:52, 14:22 - 16:04, 16:06 - 17:31 (Friday and Saturday only), 19:55 - 21:50, 18:12 - 19:36 (Monday - Friday), 19:38 - 20:58. Commuter trains mostly offer only non-reserved 3rd class seating while some offer both non-reserved 2nd Class and 3rd Class. |
|||
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 1st Class | LKR 130 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 80 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 40 | ||
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) / Ella Train Timetable and Approximate Fares
| Colombo to Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) | |||
| Colombo Fort Railway Station | map link | Nanu Oya Railway Station (10km from Nuwara Eliya) | map link |
| From Colombo Fort to Nanu Oya | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 05:55 - 12:40 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:30 - 14:57 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:45 - 15:51 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 20:00 - 03:03 | Night mail | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Nanu Oya to Colombo Fort | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 05:30 - 14:03 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:22 - 15:27 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:02 - 18:57 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 13:50 - 20:53 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 22:17 - 05:17 | Night mail | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 1st Class | LKR 1000 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 400 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 300 | ||
| Colombo to Ella | |||
| Colombo Fort Railway Station | map link | Ella Railway Station | map link |
| From Colombo Fort to Ella | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 05:55 - 15:14 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:30 - 17:27 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:45 - 18:22 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 20:00 - 06:05 | Night mail | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Ella to Colombo Fort | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 06:40 - 15:27 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:24 - 18:57 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:57 - 20:53 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 18:55 - 05:17 | Night mail | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 1st Class | LKR 750 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 450 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 300 | ||
| Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) | |||
| Kandy Railway Station | map link | Nanu Oya Railway Station (10km from Nuwara Eliya) | map link |
| From Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 03:30 - 09:02 | Express & Slow | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:47 - 12:40 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 11:10 - 14:57 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| From Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) to Kandy | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 05:30 - 09:56 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:22 - 12:38 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:02 - 15:51 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:30 - 22:45 | Express & Slow | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 1st Class | LKR 300 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 200 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 100 | ||
| Kandy to Ella | |||
| Kandy Railway Station | map link | Ella Railway Station | map link |
| From Kandy to Ella | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 03:30 - 13:24 | Express & Slow | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:47 - 15:14 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 11:10 - 17:27 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| From Ella to Kandy | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 06:40 - 12:38 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:24 - 15:51 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:06 - 22:45 | Express & Slow | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 1st Class | LKR 450 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 250 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 150 | ||
| Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) to Ella | |||
| Nanu Oya Railway Station (10km from Nuwara Eliya) | map link | Ella Railway Station | map link |
| Nanu Oya to Ella | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 03:11 - 06:05 | Night mail | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:30 - 13:24 | Express & Slow | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:45 - 15:14 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:01 - 17:27 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:55 - 18:22 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Ella to Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 06:40 - 09:16 | Express - Udarata Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 09:24 - 11:58 | Express - Podi Menike | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:57 - 13:46 | Express | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:06 - 16:24 | Express & Slow | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 18:55 - 22:08 | Night mail | Daily | 1st, 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 1st Class | LKR 250 | ||
| 2nd Class | LKR 150 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 80 | ||
Colombo to Hikkaduwa / Galle / Mirissa Train Timetable and Approximate Fares
| Colombo to Galle | |||
| Colombo Fort Railway Station | map link | Galle Railway Station | map link |
| From Colombo Fort to Galle | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 06:10 - 07:59 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 06:55 - 09:19 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:35 - 10:49 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:30 - 12:42 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:25 - 16:33 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:50 - 17:34 | Express - Ruhunu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:25 - 19:37 | Express - Sagarika | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:45 - 19:48 | Commuter | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:55 - 21:26 | Commuter | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 19:30 - 22:58 | Night Mail | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Galle to Colombo Fort | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 04:15 - 07:36 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 06:55 - 08:43 | Express - Ruhunu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 07:20 - 09:20 | Express | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 07:50 - 09:48 | Express - Galu Kumari | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:55 - 13:15 | Express - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:45 - 17:14 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:35 - 18:05 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:50 - 18:40 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 2nd Class | LKR 200 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 120 | ||
| Colombo to Hikkaduwa | |||
| Colombo Fort Railway Station | map link | Hikkaduwa Railway Station | map link |
| Colombo Fort to Hikkaduwa | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 06:10 - 07:41 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 06:55 - 08:58 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:35 - 10:29 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:30 - 12:22 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:25 - 16:18 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:50 - 17:19 | Express - Ruhunu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:25 - 19:15 | Express - Sagarika | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:45 - 19:30 | Commuter | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:55 - 20:50 | Commuter | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 19:30 - 22:29 | Night Mail | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Hikkaduwa to Colombo Fort | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 04:46 - 07:36 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 06:20 - 08:34 | Local Train | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 07:10 - 08:43 | Express - Ruhunu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 07:42 - 09:20 | Express | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:06 - 09:48 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 11:15 - 13:15 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:06 - 17:14 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:55 - 18:05 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:05 - 18:40 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 2nd Class | LKR 180 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 100 | ||
| Hikkaduwa to Galle | |||
| Hikkaduwa Railway Station | map link | Galle Railway Station | map link |
| Hikkaduwa to Galle | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 07:42 - 07:59 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 08:01 - 08:36 | Local Train | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 09:00 - 09:19 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:30 - 10:49 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 12:23 - 12:42 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:32 - 15:10 | Commuter | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 16:19 - 16:33 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:20 - 17:34 | Express - Ruhunu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 19:16 - 19:37 | Express - Sagarika | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 19:31 - 19:48 | Commuter | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 20:51 - 21:26 | Commuter | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 22:33 - 22:58 | Night Mail | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Galle to Hikkaduwa | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 04:15 - 04:45 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 05:25 - 06:00 | Local Train | Saturday & Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 06:55 - 07:09 | Express - Ruhunu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 07:20 - 07:34 | Express | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 07:50 - 08:04 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Saturday only | 2nd and 3rd |
| 10:55 - 11:14 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 13:05 - 13:40 | Local Train | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:45 - 15:04 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:35 - 15:54 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:50 - 17:04 | Express | Saturday & Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 17:05 - 17:37 | Local Train | Daily | 3rd class only |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 2nd Class | LKR 50 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 25 | ||
| Colombo to Mirissa | |||
| Colombo Fort Railway Station | map link | Mirissa Railway Station | map link |
| Colombo Fort to Mirissa | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 06:55 - 10:27 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:25 - 17:35 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Mirissa o Colombo Fort | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 09:30 - 13:15 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 06:23 - 09:32 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Weekdays and Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:24 - 18:05 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 2nd Class | LKR 240 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 130 | ||
| Hikkaduwa to Mirissa | |||
| Hikkaduwa Railway Station | map link | Mirissa Railway Station | map link |
| Hikkaduwa to Mirissa | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 09:00 - 10:27 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:19 - 17:35 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Mirissa to Hikkaduwa | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 09:30 - 11:14 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 06:23 - 07:39 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Weekdays and Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:24 - 15:54 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 2nd Class | LKR 100 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 60 | ||
| Galle to Mirissa | |||
| Galle Railway Station | map link | Mirissa Railway Station | map link |
| Galle to Mirissa | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 07:00 - 08:03 | Local Train | Weekdays and Sunday | 3rd class only |
| 09:35 - 10:27 | Express | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 16:45 - 17:35 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| Mirissa to Galle | |||
| Time | Type | Frequency | Available Classes |
| 09:30 - 10:37 | Commuter - Rajarata Rajini | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 06:23 - 07:14 | Commuter - Galu Kumari | Weekdays and Sunday | 2nd and 3rd |
| 14:24 - 15:20 | Commuter | Daily | 2nd and 3rd |
| 15:32 - 16:23 | Commuter | Daily | 3rd class only |
| Approximate Fares | |||
| 2nd Class | LKR 70 | ||
| 3rd Class | LKR 40 | ||
Colombo to Anuradhapura
There are 8 daily trains from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura.
Time, train name/type, frequency, and available Classes
5:45 – 9:10 Kankesanturai – Intercity express (AC Intercity) – Daily – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
6:35 – 10:40 Kankesanturai – Yal Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
8:50 – 14:14 Talaimannar- Daily – 2nd and 3rd
11:50 – 15:29 Kankesanturai – Uttara Devi (AC Intercity) – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
13:45 – 18:46 Vavuniya – Rajarata Rejini- Daily – 2nd and 3rd
15:55 – 19:48 Vavuniya – Intercity express (AC Intercity)- Daily – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
19:15 – 00:01 Talaimannar- Daily- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
20:30 – 00:48 Kankesanturai – Night Mail- Daily – 2nd and 3rd
Approximate Fares
1st Class – LKR 1000 (AC)
2nd Class – LKR 400 / Reserved LKR 450
3rd Class – LKR 280
From Anuradhapura Railway station you can take a tuk-tuk to the Ancient City. (3km / Fare less than LKR 500)
Colombo to Habarana
There are two daily trains from Colombo to Habarana.
Time, train name/type, frequency, and available Classes
6:05 – 11:16 Batticaloa – Udaya Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
21:30 – 03:01 Trincomalee – Night Mail – Daily – 2nd and 3rd (Public transport / Taxi to Dambulla is infrequent at this time.)
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 380
3rd Class – LKR 240
Colombo to Dambulla
There are no direct trains to Dambulla. To go to Dambulla you need to take a train to Kekirawa railway station and then take a bus going towards Kandy or Dambulla.
Colombo to Kekirawa
6:05 – 10:43 Batticaloa – Udaya Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
19:00 – 23:37 Batticaloa – Night Mail – Daily – 2nd and 3rd (Public transport / Taxi to Dambulla is infrequent at this time.)
21:30 – 02:26 Trincomalee – Night Mail – Daily – 2nd and 3rd (Public transport / Taxi to Dambulla is infrequent at this time.)
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 270
3rd Class – LKR 150
From Kekirawa Take a Kandy or Dambulla bus (Route No. 15/845, Route No. 42-2, Route No. 43, Route No. 43-1, Route No. 43/857). Travel time is around 40 minutes and the fare will be around LKR 50.
Colombo to Polonnaruwa
There are two daily trains from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Railway Station.
6:05 – 12:30 Batticaloa – Udaya Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
19:00 – 01:34 Batticaloa – Night Mail – Daily – 2nd and 3rd (Public transport / Taxi to Dambulla is infrequent at this time.)
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 420
3rd Class – LKR 265
From Polonnaruwa Railway station you can take a tuk-tuk to Polonnaruwa Ancient City. (5km / Fare less than LKR 500)
Habarana to Polonnaruwa
There are two daily trains from Habarana to Polonnaruwa Railway Station.
08:10 – 10:10 Batticaloa – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
11:17 – 12:30 Batticaloa – Udaya Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 90
3rd Class – LKR 50
From Polonnaruwa Railway station you can take a tuk-tuk to Polonnaruwa Ancient City. (5km / Fare less than LKR 500)
Colombo to Pasikuda
There are two railway stations close to Pasikuda. Those are Kalkudah and Valaichchena railway stations. Direct trains from Colombo are only available to Valaichchena. There are two daily trains.
6:05 – 13:58 Batticaloa – Udaya Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
19:00 – 03:02 Batticaloa – Night Mail – Daily – 2nd and 3rd (Public transport to Pasikuda not available at this time.)
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 470
3rd Class – LKR 295
From Valaichchena Railway station you can take a tuk-tuk to Pasikuda Beach. (8km / Fare less than LKR 1000)
Habarana to Pasikuda
There are two railway stations close to Pasikuda. Those are Kalkudah and Valaichchena railway stations. Valaichchena is the bigger station and has more connections/facilities compared to Kalkudah. There are two daily trains from Habarana to Valaichchena railway station.
08:10 – 12:01 Batticaloa – Daily – 3rd
11:17 – 13:58 Batticaloa – Udaya Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 180
3rd Class – LKR 95
From Valaichchena Railway station you can take a tuk-tuk to Pasikuda Beach. (8km / Fare less than LKR 1000)
Polonnaruwa to Pasikuda
There are two railway stations close to Pasikuda. Those are Kalkudah and Valaichchena railway stations. Valaichchena is the bigger station and has more connections/facilities compared to Kalkudah. There are four daily trains from Polonnaruwa to Valaichchena railway station.
01:39 – 03:02 Batticaloa – Night Mail – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
04:33 – 06:01 Batticaloa – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
10:20 – 12:01 Batticaloa – Daily – 3rd
12:32 – 13:58 Batticaloa – Udaya Devi – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 110
3rd Class – LKR 55
From Valaichchena Railway station you can take a tuk-tuk to Pasikuda Beach. (8km / Fare less than LKR 1000)
Colombo to Trincomalee
There is only one daily train available from Colombo Fort to Trincomalee railway station.
21:30 – 05:30 Trincomalee – Night Mail – Daily – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
Approximate Fares
1st Class – LKR 1250 (Sleeping Berth)
2nd Class – LKR 450 / Reserved LKR 550
3rd Class – LKR 285 / Reserved LKR 350
Habarana to Trincomalee
There is only one daily train available from Habarana to Trincomalee railway station.
03:02 – 05:30 Trincomalee – Night Mail – Daily – 2nd and 3rd
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 150
3rd Class – LKR 80
Colombo International Airport to Colombo
There is about 3 km from Colombo International Airport to Free trade zone Railway Station which is the nearest railway station to the airport. This railway station is commonly known as Welada kalapa Railway Station. “Welada kalapa” is the Sinhala term for “Trade Zone”. Walk outside the airport to take a Tuk-tuk to the Welada kalapa Station. The fare should be about LKR 500. There are about 4 daily trains to Colombo Fort Railway Station.
05:59 – 07:05 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday Only – 2nd and 3rd
07:50 – 09:02 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
10:40 – 11:54 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily -2nd and 3rd
12:56 – 14:02 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday and Sunday – 3rd
14:14 – 15:29 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
18:49 – 19:55 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
19:03 – 20:09 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday Only -3rd
20:31 – 22:05 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday Only – 3rd
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 60
3rd Class – LKR 35
Colombo International Airport to Negombo
There is about 3 km from Colombo International Airport to Free trade zone Railway Station which is the nearest railway station to the airport. This railway station is commonly known as Weladha kalapa Railway Station. “Weladha kalapa” is the Sinhala term for “Trade Zone”. Walk outside the airport to take a Tuk-tuk to the Weladha kalapa Station. The fare should be about LKR 500. There about 5 daily trains to Negombo Railway Station.
05:06 – 05:19 – Noornagar – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
06:54 – 06:26 – Chilaw – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
09:08 – 09:26 – Puttalam – Daily – 3rd
15:31 – 15:44 – Chilaw – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
17:54 – 18:07 – Negombo – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
18:14 – 18:24 – Puttalam – Commuter – Saturday Only – 3rd
18:37 – 19:00 – Negombo – Commuter – Saturday Only – 3rd
19:17 – 19:30 – Chilaw – Commuter – Saturday and Sunday – 3rd
21:26 – 21:39 – Chilaw – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
Approximate Fares
3rd Class – LKR 10
Negombo to Colombo
There about 4 daily trains from Negombo Railway Station to Colombo Fort Railway Station.
05:45 – 07:05 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday Only – 2nd and 3rd
07:29 – 09:02 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
10:26 – 11:54 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily -2nd and 3rd
12:42 – 14:02 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday and Sunday – 3rd
14:00 – 15:29 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
18:35 – 19:55 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Daily – 3rd
18:48 – 20:09 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday Only -3rd
20:14 – 22:05 – Colombo Fort – Commuter – Saturday Only – 3rd
Approximate Fares
2nd Class – LKR 70
3rd Class – LKR 40
Refer Sri Lanka Railways for a detailed train timetable covering all the railway stations.
Click here to book your accommodation in Sri Lanka.
Source: Sri Lanka Railways