Sri Lanka Transportation

  A treat for train buffs
by Maxus
 
  • A treat for train buffs
      A treat for train buffs
    by Maxus
  • Nallur Temple
      Nallur Temple
    by Kumeresh
  •   Transportation
    by bayerovi
  •   Transportation
    by bayerovi
  • Pinnawala
      Pinnawala
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Let the train take the strain

by Maxus

The roads are improving but some are still in bad condition and most are often crowded, the trains get crowded too and are not always on time but seeing Sri Lanka by rail is infinitely more fun than by car. Sri Lankan trains are easy to use and cheap as chips. You can reach most of the major destinations by train and the journey is an experience in itself, you also get to meet real people. If you are on a package deal a train journey is the perfect introduction to independent travel. Most of the resorts (Negombo, Kalutara, Bentota, Hikkaduwa etc) have a railway station and frequent trains. Why not try a short trip first? You can just turn up at the station and see whats going where, buy a ticket from the office and climb aboard. For example, should you find yourself in Beruwala or Bentota you can walk to Aluthgama station and take a trip down to Galle. Galle station is in the city centre...

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An easy (and cheap) day out.

by Maxus

A car and driver is generally the quickest and easiest way to get around in Sri Lanka but for the more adventurous you can catch a train from Negombo to just about anywhere (for next to nothing) Chilaw for example is worth a look and is an easy half or full day trip from Negombo.Sri Lankan trains are easy to use and there is only one line north from Negombo (which goes as far as Puttalam) so it's very difficult to get lost.Look here for times: http://www.railway.gov.lk/index.php

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poddy sally (small money)

by Maxus

When out and about (and particularly when travelling by train and bus) try and keep hold of some coins or small denomination notes, partly to buy your ticket with but also to hand out to the various entertainers, beggars and hawkers who will pass through the bus before you set off and through the train throughout the journey. They are rarely 'pushy' and are usually happy enough with 20 or 30 rupees.

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Hiring a Car and Driver

by Maxus

Trains are fun and cheap but they can be slow, they are usually crowded and often unreliable. Buses are cheap and fast but they get crowded and even Sri Lankans when travelling in a group will hire a vehicle complete with a driver. Any agency will do it, Red Dot are very good, local outfits include: Ebert Silva Touring www.esholidays.com , Journey Lanka www.journeylankatours.com or Walkers www.walkerstours.com Making your own arrangements might be cheaper, every hotel, every bar and indeed every driver will also sort you out with a tour. If you are going on a package holiday, my tip is to speak to other tourists at your hotel. The brown ones will have been there a while and most will have taken a tour so ask them who they recommend. If you want to cut costs join forces with other tourists you meet along the way.My mate VTer Sambawalk recently used (and was impressed) with this guy: Name:...

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Bus Etiquette

by Maxus

Buses are usually full and there isnt much room for luggage to start with but don't let your bag occupy a seat when people are standing. Once on board, hide yourself in a corner or expect to give your seat up to anyone who is old, pregnant, has a disability or is carrying a child. Anyone with a bag might pass you it to nurse while they hang onto the bars for grim death. Certain seats (usually those immediately behind the driver) are reserved for Buddhist monks – do not even think about it! The monk may be 19 years old and as fit as a butchers dog but he gets a seat no matter what. In Sri Lanka it is a very bad idea to **** off a monk, who is a personification of the Buddha himself, he might not challenge you but other Sinhalese people certainly will. Young women should not sit next to a Monk, ask someone to swap if it is the only seat. Try to remember that they are not your buses and...

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Using the Bus

by Maxus

Getting a bus at its point of origin means you might just get a seat, they often depart every 10 or 15 minutes so if the one about to leave is full it might be worth waiting for the next one, which may already be standing in the bus station. You buy your ticket on board.The ticket man is the one with the book and the pen (or increasingly a ticket machine) and he will find you. Sinhalese conversation is uncluttered with social niceties, you simply state your destination and hold up the right number of fingers. If you hand over a large note it may disappear but your change usually appears in the end. Long distance buses will probably stop for lunch at a roadside eatery and people will get off to eat or just stretch their legs. It is no good creeping back on board early to get a better seat, everyone gets back into their same seat and you will be asked to move.I have had bus journeys from...

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Check points

by Maxus

During security alerts you are likely to be stopped at checkpoints, it’s not so scary the armed forces are usually very polite and helpful. Your Sri Lankan friends will need to produce their ID but sudhhas (whites) are often waved on, although you should have have you passport with you when ever you travel.The way to be waved through every checkport is to travel with a Buddhist Monk, travel with Tamil friends and the opposite applies.

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The infamous AC bus

by Maxus

Generally, the fastest way to get from A to B in Sri Lanka is by ac bus but of course there is a drawback - they are driven by mad men. The brick under the back wheel to stop us rolling down the gentle slope at Horana bus station and the utterly bald tyres spoke volumes about the service history of our vehicle, knackered buses ain’t unusual in Sri Lanka but the other ones travel quite slowly - ac buses are the quickest thing on the road (short of a ministerial convoy).People actually queue to board an AC bus and once on board you are guaranteed a seat because passengers are not supposed to stand. There is no room to stow your baggage other than on your knee but having your bag between you and the seat in front of you like some auxiliary airbag gives you some sense of security. AC bus drivers are all young (rather like fighter pilots) they don’t so much drive the bus as launch it into the...

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Travelling First Class

by Maxus

A rail trip 'up country' can be one of the highlights of your holiday, book yourself into the first-class observation car and you can do it in comparative comfort.I like second class train travel in Sri Lanka because you get to meet real people but the novelty soon wears off if you are forced to stand in a crowded carriage (with unsanitary toilets) for hours on end. Reserving a seat in the first class observer carriage can give you the best of both worlds and its as cheap as chips.You might be able to do a deal with the guard on the train but to be sure of a seat you really do need to book in advance, there is a special window at Colombo Fort station for first class reservations- try not to leave it too late.Don’t expect the Orient Express (and the seats usually face the wrong way) but compared to the rest of the train the first class car is real luxury.The excellent website (below) will...

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Travelling in the Monsoon

by Maxus

You can have a good holiday in Sri Lanka during the rainy season and still see all the main tourist sites but heavy rain will effect your travel plans so extra time should be allowed, roads and even the railway can become impassable in the worst effected areas.The Paragoda car ferry, shown here in January of 2003 was out of action following the rains of June 2006 (click of the photo to see the difference). There is a bridge planned here but i wouldn't hold your breath.

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Getting Around Sri Lanka

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227 Hotels in Sri Lanka
 
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Reviews and photos of Sri Lanka attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Sri Lanka sightseeing.

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Transportation: Cities in Sri Lanka
  1. Colombo Transportation
  2. Kandy Transportation
  3. Negombo Transportation
  4. Nuwara Eliya Transportation
  5. Hikkaduwa Transportation
  6. Galle Transportation
  7. Bentota Transportation
  8. Unawatuna Transportation
  9. Anuradhapura Transportation
  10. Sri Lanka Transportation
  11. Polonnaruwa Transportation
  12. Sigiriya Transportation
  13. Trincomalee Transportation
  14. Dambulla Transportation
  15. Beruwala Transportation
  16. Jaffna Transportation
  17. Mirissa South Transportation
  18. Wadduwa Transportation
  19. Kataragama Transportation
  20. Kalutara Transportation
  21. Pinnawala Transportation
  22. Bandarawela Transportation
  23. Ella Transportation
  24. Haputale Transportation
  25. Horton Plains Transportation
  26. Aluthgama Transportation
  27. Matale Transportation
  28. Mihintale Transportation
  29. Wellawaya Transportation
  30. Pottuvil Transportation
  31. Ambalangoda Transportation
  32. Kalmunai Transportation

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Popular Regions in Sri Lanka

Western Province Transportation  Southern Province Transportation  Central Province Transportation  North Central Province Transportation  North Eastern Province Transportation  Province of Uva Transportation  Province of Sabaragamuwa Transportation  North Western Province Transportation 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka in the end of March for 3 weeks. I will go with my 6 yr old. Will take Medical precoushns bu... 

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A: Any special reasons why you want to stay in Colombo for 3 days. Everywhere in Sri Lanka is child friendly, but as you want to end up in Trinco (and spend part of your... 

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