Matara to Colombo

Matara to Colombo

Matara
Colombo
Oct 17, 2027
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Matara to Colombo Destination Reviews

PG
Prabhu G
Your representative did not identify himself
Matara to Colombo, Bus Air-conditioned Large Coach, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Feb 15, 2026
RS
Robin S
Went perfect, bus was really fast. Going over 100 km/h without stop. Also easy to find at the bus stop. Everyone was helpful.
Matara to Colombo, Bus Air-conditioned Large Coach, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Jan 12, 2026
4.7
19 customer reviews
5
68%
4
32%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Matara to Colombo Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Real Lanka Holidays
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+2h 20m
$55.76
Train
Sri Lanka Railways
1st Class Seat
05:50
08:40
$17.00
Train
Sri Lanka Railways
1st Class Seat
06:18
09:28
$13.80
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
07:30
09:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
08:30
10:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
09:30
11:00
$6.21
Bus
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
10:00
13:00
$17.00
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
10:30
12:00
$6.21
Bus
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
11:00
15:00
$17.00
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
12:30
14:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
13:30
15:00
$6.21
Bus
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
14:00
18:00
$17.00
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
14:30
16:00
$6.21
Bus
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
15:00
20:00
$17.00
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
15:30
17:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
16:30
18:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
17:30
19:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
18:30
20:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
19:30
21:00
$6.21
Bus
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
20:30
22:00
$6.21

How to get from Matara to Colombo

When you want to get from Matara 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 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 199.97. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a taxi as a taxi ticket costs as low as USD 76.62.

How far is Matara from Colombo?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Matara to Colombo. Your trip will be a total of 71 miles (113 km). The flying distance is 71 miles (113 km).

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

The travel time from Matara to Colombo can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 3 to 4 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Matara 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 76.62 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 199.97.

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

  • Train tickets - USD 6.33 to USD 6.33;
  • Bus tickets - USD 8.13 to USD 8.13;
  • Van price : USD 15.22;
  • Bus+taxi price: USD 452.19. From Matara to Colombo starting from 00:00 Matara until 00:00 Matara

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 76.62 to USD 199.97.

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

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Matara 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 Matara 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 76.62.

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 Matara 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 Matara 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 Matara to Colombo

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

  • 77% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 18% decided to go for a bus.
  • 4% decided to catch a taxi.
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Matara to Colombo

Facts about the transport from Matara to Colombo

Cheapest Transport$7
Fastest Transport2h 15m
Earliest Departure12:00 AM
Latest Departure9:30 PM
Departures per day6
Distance113 kilometers
Transport CompaniesCeylon Roots, Lakpura, Real Lanka Holidays, SL Highway Bus Service and Shuttle Transfer, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Sri Lanka Railway