With an interesting mix of architecture, museums, beaches, parks and temples, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and largest city has a lot to offer visitors who want to party or relax. Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and you will be able to see the influence of the three powers that colonized Sri Lanka: the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. To the south, the city of Galle also retains architecture from the 16th century when it was founded by the Portuguese, and today its car-free streets are perfect for wandering and getting lost. The Galle Lighthouse and the Old Fort are two of the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage city, making it a popular place to visit after exploring the capital.
Coastal road with Colombo in the background © Melih Cevdet Teksen / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Colombo to Galle
It is only 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Colombo to Galle, so getting from one city to another is quite simple and does not take much time. By the way, there are two options: a fast highway and a slower coastal route, we will discuss both in detail. You can take the bus on both routes or take a taxi, but many tourists prefer to travel by train in Sri Lanka as it is relatively cheap and always through fantastic scenery.
By train from Colombo to Galle
We will start with the train as it is the preferred mode of transport for traveling around Sri Lanka and the train journey from Colombo to Galle is no exception. If you’ve ever traveled by train in the UK, Sri Lanka’s rail system will remind you of British trains and stations, and there’s a reason for that: The system was copied from Britain when the British ruled Sri Lanka, and it still is the British colonial view of it today. The trains are a bit more basic, but they are comfortable and have restrooms on board.
The best thing about the Colombo to Galle train journey is the scenery. This railway line runs along the coast, so you’ll enjoy sea views throughout your journey, and you’ll have the opportunity to see many of the cities up close as you pass by.
One important thing to keep in mind when traveling by train from Colombo to Galle is that Sri Lanka Railways has a policy that tickets must be booked at least 32 days in advance of the date of travel. This means you can’t leave your reservations to the last minute, but you’ll need to plan ahead to travel by train between the two cities. This shouldn’t be a problem, but if you like to keep things moving, you may not be used to organizing everything so far in advance.
Although there is not a great distance from Colombo to Galle, the trains are not very fast. The train takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes to cover this distance, but when you have these fantastic scenery along the way, time flies by quickly. First class seats can be booked at a good price, and even if it is first class, don’t expect too much luxury: you’ll have a comfortable seat with a spectacular view, but that’s about it. Please note that you will need to get up early to catch the train as it leaves Colombo at 6:55 AM.
Colombo to Galle by bus
Public bus in Sri Lanka © Val Shevchenko / Shutterstock.com
While we and many other travelers recommend traveling by train, there are good options for traveling by road, including two different buses. If the thought of getting up for the 6:55am train doesn’t suit you or isn’t in your plans, then taking the bus from Colombo to Galle is a good alternative.
Express buses run along the highway we mentioned earlier. This is undoubtedly the fastest way to get from one place to another, as you will be traveling on a two-lane road that is quite new and in very good condition. The buses on this route are also newer, more comfortable and air-conditioned. In addition, they have regular departures throughout the day.
It is advisable to avoid peak times as these buses are popular with workers and you may not find a seat. But since they have departures every 20 minutes starting at 5am, you should find a spot in no time. The trip lasts from 1.5 to 2 hours.
The second option to travel by bus from Colombo to Galle is the coastal route. This option has the advantage of taking you along the sea and through many coastal towns, much like a train, although these public buses are not half as comfortable as train or express buses. You can expect hard seats and lots of people moving up and down and no air conditioning. The journey by public bus is much longer than other options. For this reason, if you want to travel along the coast, the train is undoubtedly the most recommended option.
The advantage of buses is that they are very cheap, so they are a good option for those traveling on a budget.
Don’t forget that if you want to travel by train from Colombo to Galle, you must book your tickets at least 32 days in advance. Use a trusted online booking site such as 12Go.asia for more peace.