How to get fromColombo to Maduraiby plane, train, ferry, bus or car

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There are 4 ways to get from Colombo to Madurai by plane, train, ferry, bus, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Fly to Madurai
best
1. Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Madurai (IXM)CMB - IXM
1h 40m
₹12,874–22,397
Train, ferry
cheapest
1. Take the train from Colombo Fort to Kankesanturai
2. Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinam
3. Take the train from Nagappattinam to Tiruchchirapali
4. Take the train from Tiruchchirapali to Madurai Jn
18h 16m
₹7,210–12,784
Bus, ferry, drive
1. Take the bus from Pettah to Kankesanturai
2. Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinam
3. Drive from Nagapattinam to Myladuthurai
4. Take the bus from Myladuthurai to Mattuthavani
18h 36m
₹8,133–8,778
Fly to Trichy International Airport, train
1. Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Trichy International Airport (TRZ)CMB - TRZ
2. Take the train from Tiruchchirapali to Madurai Jn
4h 22m
₹12,614–23,807

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Madurai (IXM) flights

6Weekly Planes

1hAverage Duration

₹10,062Cheapest Price

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Colombo to Madurai.

Launch map view

Distance: 399.3 km
Duration: 1h 40m

What companies run services between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Madurai, India?

SriLankan Airlines flies from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Madurai (IXM) 6 times a week.

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Madurai(opens in a new window), India(opens in a new window)

Madurai is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. As of the 2011 census, it was the third largest urban agglomeration in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and Coimbatore and the 33rd most populated city in India. Located on the banks of River Vaigai, Madurai has been a major settlement for two millennia and has a documented history of more than 2500 years. It is often referred to as "Thoonga Nagaram", meaning "the city that never sleeps".

Things to do in Madurai

Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal(Opens in a new window)

Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a 17th-century palace erected in 1636 AD by King Thirumalai Nayak, a king of Madurai's Nayaka dynasty who ruled Madurai from 1623–59, in the city of Madurai, India. This Palace is a classic fusion of Dravidian and Rajput styles. The building, which can be seen today, was the main Palace, in which the king lived. The original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present structure. In its heyday, Tirumalai Nayak Palace at Madurai was considered to be one of the wonders of the South. This palace is situated 2 km south east of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.

Gandhi Memorial Museum(Opens in a new window)

Gandhi Memorial Museum, established in 1959, is a memorial museum for Gandhi located in the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India. Known as Gandhi Museum, it is now one of the five Gandhi Sanghralayas (Gandhi Museums) in the country. It includes a part of the blood-stained garment worn by Gandhi when he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse.

Samanar Hills(Opens in a new window)

Samanar Hills or Samanar Malai is a hill rock complex located in Keelakuyilkudi village, 15 km from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The hill has been declared as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Athisayam(Opens in a new window)

Athisayam (Tamil: அதிசயம்) is an amusement theme park located in Paravai on Madurai - Dindigul National Highway 7, 12 km from Madurai. The park is located on a 70 acre site and features about 40 games and 20 water rides. The park is popular for its water rides, recreating the experience of Courtalam waterfalls.

Places to stay in Madurai

Mani's residency(Opens in a new window)

8.0Good

JC Residency Madurai(Opens in a new window)

8.3Very Good

Royal Court(Opens in a new window)

7.9Good

Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai - Member ITC Hotels' Group(Opens in a new window)

8.6Fabulous

Rome2Rio makes travelling from Colombo to Madurai easy.

Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Colombo to Madurai right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Rome2Rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward.