The best ways to get around in Sri Lanka

05.11.2023 - 12:19 / lonelyplanet.com

Sri Lanka's landscape is impressively varied. Grand national parks are home to safari adventures, otherworldly coastlines circle the perimeter, and hilly tea country is at its heart.

With such versatility, there are many different transport options. It’s nearly impossible to define a singular "best" way to move around Sri Lanka. Rather, it depends on where you are, where you're headed and what you enjoy.

Domestic flight options are quite limited, which means the main contenders for transportation are trains, buses, tuk-tuks and private cars. We break down what you need to know about each.

Sri Lanka's major cities and towns are extremely well-connected by train. Overall, it’s an easy, convenient and sustainable way to travel. Of course, sometimes the trains can be delayed – but isn’t that a risk almost everywhere? We suggest not giving in to cautionary calls on travel forums to avoid train travel due to delays, as you’ll absolutely be missing out. Trains offer some of the most efficient, relaxing and spectacular ways to get to a destination in Sri Lanka, plus they avoid pesky city traffic.

As the financial capital, Colombo is a transport hub from which trains spring off across the whole country. They travel east to the city of Kandy and down into Nuwara Eliya – a town in tea country. Northbound trains reach the cities of Anuradhapura and Jaffna.

Some train trips are so scenic, they’re an activity in themselves. The six-hour ride from Kandy to Ella, which weaves through seemingly endless tea fields, is right up there among the world’s best train routes. A recently renovated route from Colombo to the historical city of Galle conversely runs on the edge of the west coast, offering mesmeric views of the Indian Ocean.

There are three classes in Sri Lanka’s train system. First-class tickets might offer beds, otherwise, expect roomy seats with large windows that are perfect for gazing out of. You can reserve these seats, but don’t leave booking too late as they’re likely to sell out.

If you struggle with the heat, it’s worth knowing that first-class cabins are air-conditioned and second-class cabins usually have fans. First and second-class tickets are generally bookable from train station counters up to 30 days in advance. If you need a little more assistance, you can purchase these through a local travel agent. Third-class seats are not bookable, but first come, first served and those who do not get a seat will need to stand.

In Sri Lanka, buses fill the gaps train infrastructure can’t, connecting much of the country. There are both public and private buses to choose from.

If you have time to spare, are on a budget and do not experience motion sickness, public buses – that includes government-run Sri Lanka Transport