The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is a melting pot of cultures, modernity and history. In recent years, it has begun to transform into a cosmopolitan city. Without a doubt, Colombo is one of the places in Sri Lanka that must not be missing from your list if you visit the country. From historic architecture to unique restaurants and galleries, parks and museums and a modern skyline, there is no shortage of entertainment in this city. The city of Jaffna, on the other hand, offers a nice contrast as it is smaller and quieter. It used to be the second largest city in the country, and it is worth mentioning that Jaffna was colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and English, and also suffered greatly during the war. All of this makes Jaffna a truly interesting city today, with historic sites such as Jaffna Fort and colonial buildings lined with tree-lined streets. In this city you can get to know another side of Sri Lanka and enjoy quite a popular beach.
Colombo train in the background © Melih Cevdet Teksen / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Colombo to Jaffna
Jaffna is located near the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and Colombo is located along the south-west coast of the island. The total journey, both by road and rail, is approximately 395 kilometers. It may not seem like much, but with the state of Sri Lanka’s roads, the journey by bus can be very long. Trains are usually faster, although they are also more expensive than buses. Another alternative would be a charter flight if money wasn’t an issue. There are several small airlines that offer this route from Colombo to Jaffna, such as Cinnamon Air, Millennium Airlines, Air Senok and FitsAir. As they are private charter companies, tickets are expensive and therefore not an option for all travellers. If you want to know more details about this, you can contact the airline directly.
Colombo to Jaffna by bus
Public bus in Sri Lanka © Val Shevchenko / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by bus from Colombo to Jaffna is the slowest transport option, but it also has its advantages. First of all, the bus ticket is the cheapest of all means of transport on this route. In addition, even if the journey is long, the buses are quite modern and comfortable.
There are several ways to get from Colombo to Jaffna by bus. IN 12Go.asia you can book a ticket if you want to go by private bus. Here you can find tickets from Avro Travels and Tours, which has a fleet of modern VIP buses. If you are already familiar with VIP buses in countries like Thailand that offer a very good level of comfort and service on board, you should know that in Sri Lanka they are not as luxurious, although they have air conditioning. There are stops along the way to go to the bathroom and stretch your legs, and it’s best to take advantage of these breaks as the scheduled journey time from Colombo to Jaffna is 11 hours.
There are several departure points for these buses, such as Wellawette in the south of Colombo or Galleface near the city center. When you make a booking with 12Go, you will receive a purchase confirmation immediately. These buses usually run at night saving you an overnight stay and hopefully you’ll be able to rest before arriving in Jaffna around 9am and ready to explore the city.
Another bus option is the service of the State Transport Commission. It is a public company with very low prices. There can be different types of buses with prices that vary depending on your level of comfort. For such a long journey, we recommend choosing the most luxurious buses to travel with at least some comfort. Tickets for these buses can be booked directly on the NTC website, but if you’re looking for the easiest way to book, we recommend using 12Go and booking a private bus ticket for your journey from Colombo to Jaffna.
From Colombo to Jaffna by train
Train between Colombo and Jaffna © imranahmedsg / Shutterstock.com
In addition to buses, trains are also a common means of transport to get from Colombo to Jaffna. Trains have the advantage that the journey takes less time. You can also say that they are more comfortable, because you can get up and walk a bit, which cannot be done on the bus.
The speed and comfort of the train translate into a more expensive ticket. But compared to the price of a ticket on a private bus, the train is not much more expensive, although it depends on the class you want to travel in. There are seats in both first and second class and the truth is that there is not much difference between them. First class seats are a bit more comfortable than second class, but both have air conditioning and toilets.
What we like most about traveling by train from Colombo to Jaffna is that the journey time is shorter and you can enjoy the wonderful scenery along the way. Moreover, traveling by train has a romance that buses don’t have. Depending on the selected departure time, the journey can take from 6 to 8 hours. In any case, it will take less time by train than by bus.
Fort Station
Trains are operated by Sri Lanka Railways, departing from Colombo Fort and arriving at Jaffna railway station. As with private bus tickets, train tickets for the journey from Colombo to Jaffna can also be purchased on the site 12Gowhere you can compare timetables and prices and read reviews from other travellers.
With several good transport options to get from Colombo to Jaffna, it’s best to make your decision based on whether you want to save time or money. Trains allow you to experience a unique experience and reach your destination in less time, although they are slightly more expensive. On the other hand, by bus you can save on the price of accommodation.