Colombo to Badulla

Colombo to Badulla

Colombo
Badulla
Fri, Jun 19
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Colombo to Badulla Destination Reviews

CK
Christian K
Over all the experience was very nice. To travel with all the locals, to get in touch with them and see how they travel. The drive from Colombo to Ella was really long and you should consider a break, for example in Kandy. We traveled in third class and you only can get a good seat in Colombo and also only when you are fast. :D When the train arrives, the locals jump on it, while its driving - be fast! It’s getting pretty full and tight, be aware of that. Next time, ee would get a first or second class ticket because of comfort. But it was definitively a good experience, I would not like to miss.
Colombo to Badulla, Train #1015 Third Class Reserved Seats, Sri Lanka Railway, Sep 9, 2025
VD
Vishva D
The seats we got are not that great. They were facing backwards from the direction the train was moving and was near the lavatory of the compartment, which smelled awful whenever someone used it. Additionally, we were not able to recline properly as the seats were towards the end of the compartment as well. There were more seats available which we could've got for the 25% commission we paid for the ticket I believe. Additionally, it was revealed i couldve saved money by directly booking this through the railway rather than on this.
Colombo to Badulla, Train #1045 Third Class Sleeperetts, Sri Lanka Railway, Sep 2, 2025
4.6
11 customer reviews
5
73%
4
18%
3
9%
2
0%
1
0%

Colombo to Badulla Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Magical Sri Lanka
Standard 2pax
Any time
+5h 40m
$90.00
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
00:45
05:45
$13.79
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
05:30
14:42
$20.25
  4.8
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
05:55
16:20
$10.13
  4.8
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
06:30
16:49
$27.00
  4.8
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
07:30
12:30
$12.20
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
08:30
17:51
$10.13
  4.8
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
Observation class
09:45
20:16
$10.13
  5.0
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Air-conditioned Large Coach
10:15
15:15
$12.20
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
14:30
19:30
$12.20
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
17:30
22:30
$12.20
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
18:30
23:30
$12.20
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
Second Class Sleeperette
20:30
05:37
$6.75
Bus
Laksiri AC Service
Tourist
23:00
06:00
$12.00

How to get from Colombo to Badulla

When you want to get from Colombo to Badulla, 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 USD 164.13. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a taxi as a taxi ticket costs as low as USD 164.13.

How far is Colombo from Badulla?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Colombo to Badulla. Your trip will be a total of 137 miles (220 km). The flying distance is 83 miles (133 km).

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

The travel time from Colombo to Badulla can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 5 to 11 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Colombo to Badulla varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Lakpura: travelling by taxi expect to pay as low as USD 164.13 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 164.13.

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

  • Train tickets - USD 6.67 to USD 31.05;
  • Bus tickets - USD 12.78 to USD 12.78;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 164.13 to USD 164.13.

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

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 Colombo to Badulla any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Colombo to Badulla 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 Badulla. 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 164.13.

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..

The most popular transport from Colombo to Badulla

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

  • 88% decided to go for a bus.
  • 11% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Colombo to Badulla

Facts about the transport from Colombo to Badulla

Cheapest Transport$7
Fastest Transport5h
Earliest Departure6:30 AM
Latest Departure8:30 PM
Departures per day1
Distance220 kilometers
Transport CompaniesLakpura, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Sri Lanka Railway