What are the best ways to travel around Sri Lanka?
Traveling around Sri Lanka is convenient and offers a range of options to suit every traveler’s style and budget. For comfort and flexibility, taxis, Uber, or the local PickMe app are widely used in cities. Private drivers are a popular choice for longer journeys, allowing you to explore at your own pace. For a scenic and cultural experience, Sri Lanka’s train rides are a must, especially routes through the hill country. Budget travelers can rely on long-distance buses connecting major towns. For faster travel, domestic flights and air taxis provide quick connections, offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the island.
Your Guide to Travelling Around Sri Lanka
Yes, tuk-tuks are common everywhere. They’re fast, fun, and efficient but often more expensive than taxis. Be sure to negotiate in advance or ask the driver to use the meter.
Most travel by road, with well-maintained highways connecting major cities like Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, and Galle. However, expect traffic congestion in urban areas, particularly during office rush hours and school mornings
Popular ride-hailing apps like PickMe (Sri Lanka’s local app) and Uber operate in most major cities, especially Colombo. They’re convenient for booking taxis, tuk-tuks, and even food delivery, offering transparent pricing and cashless payments for a hassle-free travel experience.
The most iconic train journey is Kandy to Ella, passing lush tea plantations, misty mountains, and waterfalls. Other scenic routes include Colombo to Badulla and Colombo to Galle, offering stunning coastal and countryside views. These rides are a must-do for travelers seeking unforgettable landscapes
Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo Airport) is about 30 km from Colombo city. Travel time varies from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Taxis, PickMe, and Uber are the most convenient options, while many hotels also arrange private transfer
