3 ways to get from Negombo to Colombo
There are three ways to travel the distance of 40 km (25 miles) from Negombo to Colombo: by bus (1.5-2 hours), taxi (1 hour) and train (1.5 hours). The journey takes between 1-2 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. The lowest priced tickets start from 200 Rs ($0.60) for the train.Negombo to Colombo by Train
From our last check, only unreserved 2nd and 3rd class trains are available for the Negombo to Colombo route. This means you cannot book them beforehand and can only buy tickets at the train station on the day of your trip.
Tickets cost 200 Rs ($0.60) for a 2nd class seat and 100 Rs ($0.30) for the 3rd class.
Don’t worry, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a good seat on these trains as long as you time your trip outside of peak hours when most locals are travelling to and from work.
The train departs from Negombo Railway Station and arrives at Colombo Fort. Travel time is about 1.5 hours and you can see all train schedules on the Sri Lanka Railway website.
Negombo to Colombo by Bus
The bus is another cheap option when travelling from Negombo to Colombo. We recommend taking an air-conditioned bus as they are faster and much more comfortable than ordinary buses. A seat costs 320 Rs ($0.90).
Travel time is between 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic.
If you really want to travel like a local, a seat on an ordinary bus costs 56 Rs ($0.10)*. However, these buses make a lot of stops to pick up and drop off passengers, so the journey can take more than 2 hours.
The buses depart from Negombo Bus Depot and arrive at Colombo Central Bus Stand, both located in the city centre. There are departures every 20 minutes.
*UPDATE: The last time we checked (September 2023), we could not confirm the fare for ordinary buses from Negombo to Colombo.
Negombo to Colombo by Taxi
You can book a taxi from Colombo to Negombo starting from 4,500 Rs ($13.50) with Uber. Note that this rate can be cheaper or higher depending on availability.
If you want to find the cheapest possible rates, you can also check other taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo, although their availability is not guaranteed outside Colombo.
Pro tip: Use the code “hpam1ue” or this link to order your first ride with Uber for free!
In case you are unable to book with any of the above options, BookAway provides a good alternative, with taxis available for 7,115 Rs ($22.00).
Frequently Asked Questions about Negombo to Colombo
What is the distance from Negombo to Colombo?
The distance from Negombo to Colombo is 40 km (25 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Negombo to Colombo?
The fastest way to get from Negombo to Colombo is by taxi and takes 1 hour.
What is the cheapest way to get from Negombo to Colombo?
The cheapest way to get from Negombo to Colombo is by train with ticket costs starting from 200 Rs ($0.60).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Negombo to Colombo. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Hi there!
Thanks for the article. Unfortunately, prices are outdated. I’m in Colombo right now and trains as well as buses (did not take taxi) have become more expensive.
For the AC bus I just paid 320RS.
Find train fares here:
https://eservices.railway.gov.lk/schedule
Hello Justus, thank you for giving us the heads up about the price changes on the Negombo to Colombo route. We’ve double checked all information and updated the article again with the latest prices. Thanks for your help and hope you had a great time in Sri Lanka!