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How to get from Colombo to Dickwella?
When travelling the 210km distance from Colombo to Dickwella, you have 3 options: you can take the train via Matara for at least 1,800 Rs ($10); hop on a bus for 420 Rs ($2.30); or take a taxi with fares around 9,100 Rs ($50). Travel time is 3 to 3.5 hours.
Train, Bus or Taxi?
| Transport Mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 3hr 05min, excl. transfers | 1,800 Rs ($10) | Check train tickets |
| Bus | 3.5 hours | 420 Rs ($2.30) | Read article for info |
| Taxi | 3 hours | 9,100 Rs ($50) | Check train tickets |
Because Dickwella doesn’t have its own train station, the most common option is to take one from Colombo to Matara. From here, you can transfer to either a taxi or a bus going to Dickwella. Travel time is a little over 3 hours and total cost is about 1,800 Rs ($10).
Only non-airconditioned buses offer direct trips from Colombo to Dickwella. The good thing is that they pass along the coast, giving you a salty breeze throughout the journey. Note that this might still be too hot in the summer. The bus is the cheapest option at only 420 Rs ($2.30).
Travelling with a group? A taxi can bring you door-to-door for around 9,100 ($50).
Colombo to Dickwella by Train
Duration: 3hr, excl. transfers
Cost: 1,800 Rs ($10)
Dickwella doesn’t have its own railway station, so your best option is to take a direct train to Matara. Another station that is closer to Dickwella is Wewurukannala. This station is only 10min drive from Dickwella and part of the railway between Matara to Beliatta, but unfortunately, the schedule runs very irregularly.
Somehow, I ended up taking this train from Colombo as my original train was canceled. This journey isn’t recommended though. The trip took me almost double the amount of time, excluding the waiting time at Colombo railways station!
For this reason we recommend to take a direct train to Matara and continue by taxi or bus to Dickwella. Or if you want to try your luck, ask for the train to Wewurukannala (good luck with pronouncing that) and who knows it might be leaving soon after you arrived.
Step 1: Colombo to Matara by Train
Duration: 2hr 35min
Cost: 280 Rs ($1.50)
When booking online, only 1st class train tickets are available from Colombo Fort to Matara Railway Station. A ticket costs 3,450 RS ($19) and the journey takes at least 2hr 35min. See the schedule below.
| Train | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Class Train | 14:25-17:50 15:05-17:40 | 3h 25m 2h 35m | 3,450 Rs ($19) |
Check Sri Lanka Railway Tickets
More schedules are available for unreserved seats at the Sri Lanka Railways website. Normally, we don’t recommend unreserved cabins as they are often crowded with locals and takes away the experience of a scenic train ride.
However, the southern train route from Colombo to Dickwella is normally not as busy as most of its northern counterparts, as long as you travel outside of the peak hours. A ticket costs 280 Rs ($1.50) for a non-airconditioned, unreserved 2nd class cabin.
See our guide on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka for more details.
Step 2: Matara Railway Station to Dickwella by Taxi/Bus
Duration: 30min
Cost: 1,500 Rs ($8.50)
From Matara Railway Station, Dickwella is about 20km away. The easiest way to reach it is by taxi, which takes about 30mins and costs around 1,500 Rs ($8.50).
A cheaper option is to travel by bus. However, Matara Bus Stand is still 1.5km away from the railway station. It is 5-10mins away by taxi or tuk-tuk and 20mins away on foot. From Matara Bus Stand, take a bus bound for Dickwella.
The last option is to take the train to Wewurukannala, but as we described chances are very small that that matches your schedule.
Colombo to Dickwella by Bus
Duration: 3.5 hours
Cost: 420 Rs ($2.30)
The only direct buses available from Colombo to Dickwella are non-airconditioned buses. Normally, these would be very uncomfortable in Sri Lanka. But the buses will be passing along the west coast, so you might enjoy the sea breeze from the open window.
From Bastian Mawatha Bus Stand, take a bus bound for Kataragama (#3) or Tangalle (#32-4). Make sure to pick the semi-luxury bus as they make fewer stops compared to the normal bus. Fares start at 420 Rs ($2.30). Ask your driver to drop you off at Dickwella.
Colombo to Dickwella by Bus via Matara
Duration: 3.5 hours
Cost: 420 Rs ($2.30)
If you’re not comfortable with taking a non-airconditioned bus, there is also an option to travel via a tourist bus from Colombo to Matara. Then you can transfer to a taxi that will take you directly to Dickwella.
Disaru Expressway departs daily from Bastian Mawatha Bus Station at 11:00 and arrives at 14:00 in Matara Bus Stand. A ticket costs 2,360 Rs ($13) and the bus journey takes 3 hours. From here, Dickwella is 30mins away by taxi. Taxi fares start at 1,270 Rs ($7).
Colombo to Dickwella by Taxi
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: 9,100 Rs ($50)
PRO-TIP: Use the code “hpam1ue” or this link to order your first ride with Uber for free!
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