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

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

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 Salem
best
1. Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Salem (SXV)plane CMB - SXV
5h 41m
₹11,633–34,112
Train, ferry
cheapest
1. Take the train from Colombo Fort to Kankesanturaitrain
2. Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinamferry
3. Take the train from Nagappattinam to Salem Towntrain
21h 16m
₹7,125–12,127
Bus, ferry
1. Take the bus from Pettah to Kankesanturaibus
2. Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinamferry
3. Take the bus from Nagore to Mahabalipurambus
4. Take the bus from Mahabalipuram to Salembus
21h 17m
₹8,382–10,326
Fly to Trichy International Airport, bus
1. Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Trichy International Airport (TRZ)plane CMB - TRZ
2. Take the bus from Trichy to Salembus
5h 33m
₹14,583–70,632

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Salem (SXV) flights

15Weekly Planes

6h 28mAverage Duration

₹9,154Cheapest Price

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Colombo to Salem.

Launch map view

Distance: 564.9 km
Duration: 5h 41m

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

IndiGo Airlines and SriLankan Airlines fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Salem (SXV) twice daily.

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Ferry operators

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

Salem, natively spelt as Selam, is a major city in Salem district, located on the banks of the Thirumanimutharu river in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu surrounded by mountains. Salem is the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the state, exceeded by Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, and third largest metropolitan region in the state only after to Chennai and Coimbatore metropolitan regions. The city is 124 km2 large. Major products of Salem include silver anklets, sago, mangoes, steel, and textiles.

Things to do in Salem

Kiliyur Falls(Opens in a new window)

Kiliyur Falls is a waterfall in the Shervaroyan hill range in the Eastern Ghats, Tamil nadu, India. The waters overflowing the Yercaud Lake fall 300 ft into the Kiliyur Valley.

Montfort School(Opens in a new window)

Montfort School, Yercaud, is a secondary school for boys and girls (Co-ed) run by the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel in the town of Yercaud, near Salem in Tamil Nadu, India. The school motto is "Virtue and Labour".

Places to stay in Salem

ZIBE Salem By GRT Hotels(Opens in a new window)

8.7Fabulous

YMCA PROGRAM CENTRE(Opens in a new window)

8.3Very Good

Raj Residency Salem(Opens in a new window)

8.4Very Good

Rathna Residency(Opens in a new window)

8.3Very Good

Rome2Rio makes travelling from Colombo to Salem 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 Salem 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.