Colombo to Jaffna

Colombo to Jaffna

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Other Options

Colombo to Jaffna Schedule

Colombo to Jaffna Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Stef Lanka Tours Van 6pax Any timeLKR 74,252
Sri Lanka Railway First Class Seat 05:35 - 12:17LKR 3,640
Sri Lanka Railway First Class Seat 06:17 - 14:37LKR 3,440
Sri Lanka Railway First Class Seat 11:50 - 18:20LKR 3,640
Sri Lanka Railway First Class Seat 20:00 - 04:39LKR 3,864
Avro Travels VIP 32 22:00 - 09:10LKR 3,850

Transportation from Colombo to Jaffna

Facts about the transport from Colombo to Jaffna

Cheapest Transport$8
Fastest Transport6h 46m
Earliest Departure8:00 PM
Latest Departure10:00 PM
Departures per day5
Distance398 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAvro Travels, Sri Lanka Railway, Stef Lanka Tours

Colombo to Jaffna Destination Reviews

ML
The meeting point was very difficult to find, and I almost missed the bus. Fortunately, the person on the phone guided me. The driver was driving very fast, and we arrived at 4:00 am instead of 9:00 am in an unknown city...
This review was autotranslated
Bus Luxury, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Jul 12, 2023
RS
Train shakes too much. Difficult to walk down the aisle when it is running. It was was also running late by 90 minutes.
Train #4021 First Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railway, Oct 15, 2022
4.4
15 customer reviews
5
53%
4
27%
3
13%
2
7%
1
0%

How to get from Colombo to Jaffna

When you want to get from Colombo to Jaffna, 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 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 226.99. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 16.12.

How far is Colombo from Jaffna?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Colombo to Jaffna. Your trip will be a total of 248 miles (398 km). The flying distance is 191 miles (307 km).

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

The travel time from Colombo to Jaffna can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 7 to 12 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Colombo to Jaffna 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 USD 16.12 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 226.99.

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

  • Train tickets - USD 7.94 to USD 9.34;
  • Bus tickets - USD 16.12 to USD 16.12;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 165.09 to USD 226.99.

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

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 Jaffna any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Colombo to Jaffna 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 Jaffna. 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 165.09.

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 Jaffna

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

  • 58% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 40% decided to go for a bus.
  • 2% decided to catch a taxi.