Jaffna to Colombo

Jaffna to Colombo

Jaffna
Colombo
Thu, Oct 8
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Jaffna to Colombo Destination Reviews

PK
Ponnampalam K
Happy with the journey ☺️
Jaffna to Colombo, Train #44422 First Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railway, Jul 21, 2025
RS
Raja S
Good journey but very unsteady train, swaying to and fro too much, making walking down the aisle difficult.
Jaffna to Colombo, Train #4022 First Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railway, Oct 16, 2022
4.5
6 customer reviews
5
50%
4
50%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Jaffna to Colombo Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Tours with Stef Lanka
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+6h 46m
$181.41
Train
Sri Lanka Railways
1st Class Seat
10:50
19:20
$19.00
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
14:08
20:33
$10.80
  4.0
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Air-conditioned Large Coach
18:30
00:45
$12.28
Bus
AKMT Holidays
Tourist
19:30
04:50
$17.00
Bus
Avro Travels
Super Luxury
20:00
07:00
$14.47
Train
Sri Lanka Railway
First Class Seat
20:29
04:40
$9.45
  4.0
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
21:00
08:00
$14.92

How to get from Jaffna to Colombo

When you want to get from Jaffna to Colombo, 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 337.56. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a taxi as a taxi ticket costs as low as USD 116.27.

How far is Jaffna from Colombo?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Jaffna to Colombo. Your trip will be a total of 178 miles (286 km). The flying distance is 178 miles (286 km).

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

The travel time from Jaffna to Colombo can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 6 to 11 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Jaffna 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 116.27 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 337.56.

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

  • Train tickets - USD 12.19 to USD 20.52;
  • Bus tickets - USD 13.40 to USD 15.59;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 116.27 to USD 337.56.

How many trips per day are there between Jaffna 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 Jaffna to Colombo any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Jaffna 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 Jaffna 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 116.27.

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 Jaffna to Colombo

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

  • 72% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 25% decided to go for a bus.
  • 3% decided to catch a taxi.

Transportation from Jaffna to Colombo

Facts about the transport from Jaffna to Colombo

Cheapest Transport$13
Fastest Transport5h 43m
Earliest Departure11:00 AM
Latest Departure8:00 PM
Departures per day8
Distance286 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAvro Travels, Best Sri Taxis, Lakpura, Real Lanka Holidays, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Sri Lanka Railway, TaxiBazaar