Colombo to Galle - How to Reach by Train, Bus, Car

Colombo to Galle Road Distance	126 km
Colombo to Galle Travel Time	2 hours

How to Reach Galle from Colombo

Colombo to Galle Distance
Since the distance between Colombo to Galle is just 126 km, roads are the most preferred way to commute. You can drive down, hire a cab, or even take a bus to Galle from Colombo. Another preferred way to get to Galle is by train. Most people opt for this as the train journey goes via the coastal route and beautiful coastal villages, leaving with some enthralling views.

Colombo to Galle by Car

Traveling to Galle by car and taxi is expensive compared to other public transport options. But it’s the quickest option if you take the expressway route to Galle in 2 hours. Keep in mind that this route has a small toll. If you hire a taxi, the charges would be higher if you opt for the coastal route as it’s more time-consuming.

Colombo to Galle Routes:
Route1: Southern Expressway
This is the simpler route that covers 126 km in 2 hours.

Route 2: Coastal Road
This scenic route runs along the coastline, offering some spectacular views. It passes through cities like Panadura, Kalutara, Beruwala, Aluthgama, Bentota, Balapitiya, and Hikkaduwa. The travel time on this route is 4 - 4.5 hours.

Road Conditions
The Southern Expressway is a simple, easy, and short route to Galle from Colombo. It’s also the preferred route. Although the coastal road is beautiful, it is a long route. 

Colombo to Galle by Bus

There are two bus routes: the southern expressway and the coastal route. Express buses run through the southern expressway, making them quicker. The coastal route will offer you an exceptional view but will take longer to reach Galle. It should also be noted that most of these buses are poorly maintained and may not be very comfortable, especially those on the coastal route. Travelers can board buses from Bastian Mawatha Bus Station near the Fort Railway station in Colombo, 15 km from the city center. There is no fixed bus schedule on this route. Buses start departing at 05:00 AM and are usually available every 20 minutes. 

Colombo to Galle by Train

The train journey to Galle from Colombo takes you through the coastal route offering a spectacular view of the coasts and the several coastal villages. This is the most preferred way to travel to Galle as you don’t have to worry about traffic and spend your whole journey admiring the scenic beauty en route.

Available Train Options
Train Name - Express Train (8050)
Boarding Station - Colombo Fort
Deboarding Station - Galle
Departure - 06:55 AM
Arrival- 09:20 AM
Duration - 02:25 hours

Train Name - Express Train (8040)
Boarding Station - Colombo Fort
Deboarding Station - Galle
Departure - 08:35 AM
Arrival- 10:55 AM
Duration - 02:20 hours

Train Name - Ruhunu Kumari - Express Train (8058)
Boarding Station - Colombo Fort
Deboarding Station - Galle
Departure - 15:50 AM
Arrival- 17:35 AM
Duration - 01:45 hours