How to get fromColombo to Negombo

3 ways to get from Colombo to Negombo

The 3 ways to travel the distance of 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Colombo to Negombo are by: bus (1 hour 30 minutes), taxi (1 hour) and train (1 hour 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes and the quickest way is by taxi. The lowest priced tickets start from 80 LKR (€0.30) for the train.

As far as we know, only 2nd class and 3rd class trains operate from Colombo to Negombo. The good thing is it’s just a short ride for 1 hour 30 minutes, so the seats should still be comfortable enough.

Most of the trains operating this route are commuter trains, so reserved seats are not available. A tip, travel on an off-peak hour to ensure a seat. If you take this train at the same time locals get to and from work, it’s going to be really crowded. The first train from Colombo to Negombo departs at 04:00 and the last train leaves at 20:20. You can check out the full schedule here.

Tickets are very affordable at 80 LKR (€0.30) for a 2nd class seat and 45 LKR (€0.10) for a 3rd class seat. You can buy your tickets at the train station on the day of your journey.

If you don’t want to take the risk of missing a seat on the train ride from Colombo to Negombo, the bus is another option. The ride will not be as scenic as the train, but it will get you to your destination with a good level of comfort.

We suggest that you take an airconditioned bus as they are more comfortable and faster than ordinary buses. They depart from Colombo Central Bus Stand every 20 minutes and a ticket costs 120 LKR (€0.40).

Ordinary buses are also available for 56 LKR (€0.20), but we don’t recommend them as they make a lot of stops and travel time can take more than 2 hours.

The taxi from Colombo to Negombo costs around 2,600 LKR (€8.40) when you book with Uber, but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on availability. It is also possible to find cheaper rates on the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo, but their availability is not guaranteed when going out of Colombo.

PRO TIP: Use the code “hpam1ue” or this link to order your first ride with Uber for free!

If none of the abovementioned options are working, you can also book a taxi via BookAway for 4,800 LKR (€15.40).