Public transport in Sri Lanka can be a bit of an ordeal to get your head around. It was for us during our month-long visit, so I wanted to put this guide together to help you navigate it during your own trip.
From buses to trains, from tuk tuks to private drivers, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about your transport options around Sri Lanka.
Below you’ll find how much you should pay, how the trains work, how chaotic (but cheap) the buses are and the convenience of tuk tuks.
Should you have any further questions about travelling around Sri Lanka, don’t hesitate to reach out or comment on this blog post!
Top tip: for mobile data around Sri Lanka, we used the Airalo eSim which was super handy and easily installed onto our phones as soon as we landed in Colombo Airport!
Top Tips for Navigating Transport in Sri Lanka
1. Tuk Tuk
For shorter journeys, a tuk tuk is 100% the best way to get around. These three-wheeled bikes are everywhere and offer a convenient, fast and cheap way to get from A to B.
Make sure to negotiate the fare with your driver before getting inside the tuk tuk and be prepared for them to try and upsell sight-seeing tours while you’re en route to your destination. They will try to charge you tourist prices so make sure to negotiate and haggle for a fair price.
Our best recommendation is to download the PickMe app to your phone. This works exactly like Uber and allows you to order a tuk tuk from your location, pay a fair price and also pay using your bank card as the driver receives the payment instantly afterwards.
Note that PickMe isn’t available everywhere in Sri Lanka but in the bigger cities like Colombo and Negombo for example, but you can still price your journey anywhere on the island using the app which will give you a good starting point when negotiating with drivers.
We found that prices usually start at around 100 rupees for the 1st kilometre, and then starts to come down to around 70 rupees for every kilometre afterwards.
2. Buses
We took many local buses throughout our stay in Sri Lanka. They’re cheap, sometimes (a lot of the time) chaotic and crowded, but provides an authentic experience once you get the hang of them.
Catching the bus isn’t the simplest experience but it always seemed to work out in the end for us. Sometimes there isn’t an actual bus stop or an easy-to-find schedule. Many times we were told “one will come” when you ask when the next bus is due as they seem to follow their own schedule. And to just “wave it down” when you see it while we were stood at the side of the road.
We also couldn’t rely on Google Maps for public transport information as often we would input our destination and Google would tell us to catch 4x different buses, changing at different locations. However, when we flagged down a bus on the side of the road, it was most often always going to our final destination – meaning no changes.
There are also both public and private buses which means prices will vary depending which bus you board. It’s common to be charged for your bags, and it’s also common to receive an inflated tourist price. This definitely happened to us a few times, but your best bet is ask a local on the bus how much they are paying and also ask for a ticket.
Once the bus pulls in, the conductor will be hanging from the front or back door and shout to ask where you are going. If the bus goes to your destination, you’ll have to quickly jump on board as these buses don’t hang around and you’ll watch locals disembark and board the bus while it’s still moving.
Once on board, you can place your luggage at the front of the bus (we found it always best to board at the front) and find a seat. You tend to often pay for the bus fare before your last stop. We’re not sure how the conductor remembers where you are getting off but they always seem to. Once you have paid, be ready to get off as the bus does not stop for long, so start grabbing your bags and making your way to the door.
Don’t be put off by the above, the locals are always helpful and it’s an experience worth having – plus it’s always incredibly cheaper than travelling by taxi. We always asked locals the day before what time the bus was and where it leaves from.
If you’re prone to travel sickness, I’d recommend having some tablets to hand as the bus-drivers like to speed, overtake, weave and slam on the brakes every few seconds. It’s not the best for someone with a weak-stomach (like myself).
3. Trains
Trains are by far the most picturesque (and cheapest) way to get around Sri Lanka (but definitely not the fastest). We strongly recommend getting the train at least once during your stay.
For advice on train transport, read my Kandy to Ella blog post as the information here can be applied to most train journeys in Sri Lanka.
4. Hire a Driver
If you have a strict schedule to keep to and your budget isn’t your biggest concern, then opting for a private driver is a popular choice among travellers seeking comfort and convenience.
Experienced drivers familiar with the local routes (and navigating the chaos that is Sri Lanka traffic) can take you to your destination safely and efficiently and act as your tour guide. Note that this will of course be the most expensive mode of transport.
5. Hire Your Own Tuk Tuk
A lot of tourists hire their own tuk tuks during their stay on the island. This means you can explore the island at your own leisure and create some great memories. For us, this option is something we wouldn’t ever consider.
Within 5 minutes of being on the road, you will probably see why. Even for a confident driver, I would find driving in this country intimidating with vehicles constantly weaving past each other, overtaking and tooting their horns.
If you are going to do it, maybe drive slow and just stick to the left and let the locals weave in and out and drive on the wrong side of the road.
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