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Colombo is Sri Lanka's largest city and commercial capital, 32 kilometres (20 miles) south of Negombo. Expect colonial arcades, a breezy seafront promenade and traffic to match. The train is the cheapest way to get from Negombo to Colombo at $0.50 (168 LKR), and it runs direct in 1h 20m. A taxi does the trip in 20m - 1h. The bus costs a little more than the train and takes about as long.
Distance from Negombo to Colombo
Negombo and Colombo are about 32 km (20 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 38 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 20m and 1h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Negombo to Colombo
There are three ways to travel from Negombo to Colombo. You can choose between the train, bus, and taxi. The journey takes 20m–1h 20m and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at $0.50 (168 LKR).
Reach out to our Community
2I, a lady, travelling from India to Sri Lanka. My flight lands at 1.15 am at Negombo. Will I get a bus from Negombo to Colombo at that time of the night? If not, what is the other option. I would like to travel the cheapest way possible.
Hi Jolly! The cheapest options from Negombo Airport to Colombo would be the local bus and the train. But for both options, I believe the first trip departs at around 5:30 AM, so you'll have to wait a few hours.
If you don't want to wait that long, you can check out the tourist buses available at the airport. They might have early morning departures. Otherwise, your best option is to take a private transfer (bookaway.com;), with fares from 7,000 LKR ($22).
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!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Negombo to Colombo, roughly 32 kilometres (20 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $0.50 (168 LKR). The quickest trip takes 20m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Negombo to Colombo?
The distance from Negombo to Colombo is 32 kilometres (20 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Negombo to Colombo?
Journey times from Negombo to Colombo overlap: train 1h 20m, bus 50m - 1h 30m, taxi 20m - 1h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
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 168 LKR.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
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.
Senior Travel Writer
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.
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