Anuradhapura to Colombo

Anuradhapura to Colombo

Anuradhapura
Colombo
Fri, Sep 4
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Anuradhapura to Colombo Destination Reviews

JD
Julie D
Very pleasant bus trip between Anuradhapura and Colombo, quiet and comfortable air-conditioned bus, efficient driver and assistant. Quick and friendly communication with customer service via WhatsApp, which was very helpful in finding out when the bus was arriving and where it was stopping. I recommend it.
Anuradhapura to Colombo, Bus Air-conditioned Large Coach, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Jan 31, 2026
IM
Ivan M
We bought multiple train tickets and had it all delivered to the hotel at once. However, we paid the USD10 delivery for each individual ticket.
Anuradhapura to Colombo, Train #4022 1st Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railways, Apr 17, 2022
4.8
5 customer reviews
5
80%
4
20%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Anuradhapura to Colombo Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Real Lanka Holidays
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+2h 45m
$64.20
Train
Sri Lanka Railways
1st Class Seat
06:20
10:15
$20.70
  4.5
Train
Sri Lanka Railways
3rd Class Reserved Seat
06:44
20:19
$13.14
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Air-conditioned Large Coach
13:45
18:10
$8.35
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
14:20
18:58
$6.75
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
14:40
19:03
$6.75
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
15:15
20:06
$6.75
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Air-conditioned Large Coach
16:30
21:00
$8.35
Bus
Prince Travels
Tourist AC
19:30
01:00
$17.00
Bus
Prince Travels
Tourist AC
20:00
01:15
$17.00
Bus
Prince Travels
Tourist AC
21:00
02:15
$17.00
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Air-conditioned Large Coach
23:15
03:00
$12.28
Bus
Muthu Travels
Tourist AC
23:55
07:55
$13.50

How to get from Anuradhapura to Colombo

When you want to get from Anuradhapura to Colombo, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

  • Bus
  • Train
  • Van
  • Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Taxi. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Bus ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A taxi ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 255.89. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a taxi as a taxi ticket costs as low as USD 67.28.

How far is Anuradhapura from Colombo?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Anuradhapura to Colombo. Your trip will be a total of 137 miles (220 km). The flying distance is 107 miles (172 km).

How long does it take to get from Anuradhapura to Colombo?

The travel time from Anuradhapura to Colombo can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 4 to 8 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Anuradhapura to Colombo?

The cost of the trip from Anuradhapura to Colombo varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Real Lanka Holidays: travelling by taxi expect to pay as low as USD 67.28 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a taxi - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as USD 255.89.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Anuradhapura to Colombo:

  • Train tickets - USD 5.66 to USD 8.36;
  • Bus tickets - USD 16.78 to USD 20.31;
  • Van price : USD 99.75;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 67.28 to USD 255.89.

How many trips per day are there between Anuradhapura and Colombo?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

  • Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Anuradhapura to Colombo any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Anuradhapura to Colombo is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

  • If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
  • As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
  • While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Anuradhapura to Colombo. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as USD 67.28.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

Trains

Things to remember while choosing a train ticket:
Consider everything carefully while choosing the class of your train travel. In most cases, the second class is comfortable enough – it features 2 or 4 berths in each compartment and is often air-conditioned.

If you’re in for a premium experience, consider getting a first class ticket. The price of first class tickets may include Wifi, and a choice of snacks and drinks.

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Anuradhapura to Colombo. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.

Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Anuradhapura to Colombo.

Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around..

The most popular transport from Anuradhapura to Colombo

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Anuradhapura to Colombo? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

  • 97% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 2% decided to go for a bus.
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Anuradhapura to Colombo

Facts about the transport from Anuradhapura to Colombo

Cheapest Transport$6
Fastest Transport3h 7m
Earliest Departure12:00 AM
Latest Departure11:55 PM
Departures per day10
Distance220 kilometers
Transport CompaniesCeylon Roots, Lakpura, Muthu Travels, Prince Travels, Real Lanka Holidays, Real Lanka Holidays, Sri Lanka Railway, TaxiBazaar