Trains

Sri Lanka’s railways offer some of the most beautiful travel experiences, especially through the hills and along the coast. Popular routes include Colombo–Badulla, Kandy–Ella, and coastal trains to Matara or Galle.

Finding Schedules & Booking Tickets

Use the Sri Lanka Railways official schedule service, you enter start and end stations, date, and optionally time, to view train times, classes, fares, and availability

Official website for ticketing - https://www.railway.gov.lk/web/ or

Search Trains - https://eservices.railway.gov.lk/schedule/searchTrain.action?lang=en

Always check your trains as popular scenic routes (like Kandy–Ella) need early planning

Buses

Sri Lanka’s extensive bus network is cheap and reaches even remote areas.

Public buses (SLTB/CTB) – basic but regulated, often red, blue and white

Private buses – colorful, frequent, and lively, but can be crowded during peak hours

Luxury/Express buses – air-conditioned, faster via highways, ideal for longer routes

Finding Schedules & Booking Tickets

National Transport Commission (NTC) offers inter-provincial timetables for both normal and expressway buses NTC.

https://www.ntc.gov.lk/Bus_info/time_table.php

SLTB eSeat: Book online, track your bus, reserve seats ~1 month ahead, via website or hotline (1315)

https://sltb.eseat.lk/

Public/Private buses - Expect it to be chaotic and not the most comfortable

Taxis

Multiple traditional taxi services operate across Sri Lanka offering bikes, tuk tuks, small cabs and all the way to SUVs

We recommend you download either UBER or PickMe ride hailing apps for ease.

Notable Trains

• Udarata Menike: Daytime express from Colombo Fort to Badulla (~10–12 hr) through scenic hill country

• Colombo–Badulla Night Mail: Overnight service (~11 hr), with sleeping berths

• Ruhunu Kumari: Coastal train between Matara and Colombo (~3.5 hr) with 3 classes

• Samudra Devi: Daily commuter train from Galle to Colombo Maradana with ocean views

• Rajarata Rejini: Daytime express linking Anuradhapura, Colombo, and Beliatta (~10 hr)