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

Find Transport to Madurai

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There are 5 ways to get from Colombo to Madurai by plane, bus, ferry, or train

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

  1. Fly to Madurai, bus

    best
    1. Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Madurai (IXM)plane plane CMB - IXM
    2. Take the bus from Madurai airport to Periyar Bus Standbus bus
    2h 57m
    ₹13,623–27,094

  2. Train, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Colombo Fort to Kankesanturaitrain train
    2. Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinamferry ferry
    3. Take the train from Nagappattinam to Madurai Jntrain train
    17h 57m
    ₹7,108–9,070

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Pettah to Kankesanturaibus bus
    2. Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinamferry ferry
    3. Take the bus from Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu to Madurai, Tamil Nadubus bus
    17h 16m

  4. Fly to Trichy International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Trichy International Airport (TRZ)plane plane CMB - TRZ
    2. Take the train from Tiruchchirapali to Madurai Jntrain train
    4h 14m
    ₹14,248–27,959

  5. Bus, ferry via Jaffna

    1. Take the bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Jaffnabus bus
    2. Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinamferry ferry
    3. Take the bus from Velankanni, Tamil Nadu to Madurai, Tamil Nadubus bus
    23h 41m

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

Calendar7Weekly Planes
Duration55 minAverage Duration
Ticket₹11,258Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Colombo to Madurai.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 400.1 km
  • Duration: 2h 57m

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

There is no direct connection from Colombo to Madurai. However, you can take the taxi to Colombo-Airport-CMB airport, fly to Madurai (IXM), walk to Madurai airport, then take the bus to Periyar Bus Stand. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Pettah to Madurai, Tamil Nadu via Kankesanturai, Kankesanturai, Nagapattinam, and Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu in around 17h 16m.

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