Colombo to Anuradhapura

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

• Bus
• Train
• Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Bus. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Train 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 LKR 59,435. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as LKR 3,802.

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Colombo to Anuradhapura. Your trip will be a total of 129 miles (206 km). The flying distance is 107 miles (171 km).

The travel time from Colombo to Anuradhapura can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 4 to 5 hours.

The cost of the trip from Colombo to Anuradhapura varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Avro Travels: travelling by bus expect to pay as low as LKR 3,802 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 LKR 59,435.

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

• Bus tickets - LKR 3,960 to LKR 3,960;
• Train tickets - LKR 5,470 to LKR 6,481;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from LKR 37,444 to LKR 60,165.

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

• Buses start plying the route from 22:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 22:00. There are 1 available bus trips every day.

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

Buses

Taking a bus from Colombo to Anuradhapura 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 Colombo to Anuradhapura. 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 LKR 37,444.

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.

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Colombo to Anuradhapura? 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:

• 65% users enjoyed a train ride.
• 32% decided to go for a bus.
• 3% decided to catch a taxi.