Routes, Journey times and Cost.

Rail Networks in Sri Lanka - Routes and Journey Times and Costs

Travelling by rail is a great way to see Sri Lanka. It may not be the fastest way but it is certainly very cheap.

Sri Lanka's rail network has nine lines, all emanating from the capital, Colombo. Most of them take in the tourist routes, through spectacular countryside to towns such as Kandy, Matara and Trincomalee.

The four major routes of interest to tourists include:

Colombo-Kandy-Badulla

This is a scenic ten hour journey, so book a seat in a first class observation carriage if possible. There is a night sleeper, but the scenery is too good to miss. The total journey is 292 kilometres from Colombo to Badulla, and the first class observation car fare is about £5.

Colombo-Galle-Matara

This is a coastal line of 159 kilometres. There are no first class carriage on this route, but second class is adequate for this four hour journey. Travelling third class can be too crowded. A one-way fare from Colombo to Matara costs approximately £2.

Colombo-Trincomalee/Polonnaruwa

It is 295 kilometres from Colombo to the Cultural Triangle in which Polonnaruwa is situated and the journey time is about ten hours on the Intercity-Express. A first class sleeper fare is about £5 and a second class single fare is about £2.

Colombo-Anuradhapura-Vavunia

This is a three to four-and-a-half hour journey. Here, tourists can explore Anuradhapura, the old capital of Sri Lanka.

History of the Sri Lanka Railway