There are 4 ways to get from Jaffna to Colombo by train, bus, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Jaffna to Colombo by train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Jaffna to Colombo is to bus which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 2600 and takes 6h 40m.
The fastest way to get from Jaffna to Colombo is to fly which takes 4h 29m and costs Rs. 95000 - Rs. 210000.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Kachcheri and arriving at Pettah. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 40m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Jaffna and arriving at Colombo Fort. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 22m.
The distance between Jaffna and Colombo is 397 km. The road distance is 394.2 km.
The best way to get from Jaffna to Colombo without a car is to train which takes 6h 22m and costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3400.
The train from Jaffna to Colombo Fort takes 6h 22m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Jaffna to Colombo bus services, operated by NCG Express, depart from Kachcheri station.
Jaffna to Colombo train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Jaffna station.
The best way to get from Jaffna to Colombo is to train which takes 6h 22m and costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3400. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 2600 and takes 6h 40m, you could also fly, which costs Rs. 95000 - Rs. 210000 and takes 4h 29m.
What companies run services between Jaffna, Sri Lanka and Colombo, Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Jaffna to Colombo Fort 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 1,300–3,400 and the journey takes 6h 22m. Alternatively, NCG Express operates a bus from Kachcheri to Pettah 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 2,550 and the journey takes 6h 40m. National Transport Commission also services this route every 4 hours.
- Website
- goindigo.in
Flights from Jaffna to Bandaranaike International Airport via Madras
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- Rs 90,000–190,000
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
Train from Jaffna to Colombo Fort
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 22m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,400
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,500–1,800
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,600–3,400
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- ncgexpress@gmail.com
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Kachcheri to Pettah
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,550
- Schedules at
- NCG Express Facebook
- Phone
- +94 011-2587372
- info@ntc.gov.lk
- Website
- National Transport Commission
Bus from Kachcheri to Pettah
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 15m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–1,650
- Website
- National Transport Commission
- Schedules at
- NTC Schedules
- Standard
- Rs 1,300–1,500
- Semi Lux
- Rs 1,700–2,400
- Super Lux
- Rs 3,200–4,100
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Booking & Getting There
Jaffna to Colombo bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Pettah station.
Jaffna to Colombo train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Colombo Fort station.
Yes, the driving distance between Jaffna to Colombo is 394 km. It takes approximately 6h 27m to drive from Jaffna to Colombo.
Book your Jaffna to Colombo train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Jaffna to Colombo bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
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