Short answer: most visitors get around Sri Lanka with a private car and driver. It's the most flexible and comfortable option, and for two or more people often good value. Trains are cheap and scenic, but seats sell out and part of the famous hill-country line is still closed for repairs (see below). Buses are very cheap but crowded and fast-driven, and tuk-tuks are best for short hops. Distances look small on a map, but roads are slow, so plan on an average of 30–40 km/h outside the expressways.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Private car with driver | Multi-stop trips, families, flexible plans, luggage | Book ahead in peak season |
| Train | Scenic hill-country rides, Colombo–Kandy, the coast | Reserved seats sell out; partial line closure; delays |
| Bus | Very low budgets, short routes | Crowded, fast and sometimes reckless driving; little luggage space |
| Tuk-tuk / ride-hailing | Short trips in towns | Agree the fare first, or use a meter or app |
| Self-drive | Experienced drivers only | Permits needed; chaotic traffic, especially at night |
Private car with driver
This is how most visitors do a round trip, and what we do every day. A driver picks you up at the airport or your hotel, drives you between towns, and stops wherever you like on the way: tea factories, waterfalls, roadside fruit stalls, viewpoints. Benefits:
- Flexibility: change the plan on the day for weather, energy levels or a recommendation.
- Time: door-to-door is usually much faster than combining trains, buses and tuk-tuks.
- Local knowledge: experienced drivers know which sights to do early, where to eat and how to avoid the crowds.
- Comfort and safety: air-conditioned vehicle, luggage handled, and someone who knows the roads.
Most drivers stay in driver accommodation at your hotels, which many hotels provide. Check this when booking. See our cars, vans and buses with driver, or look at our regional pages for Colombo, Kandy and Galle.
Trains
Sri Lanka's railways are slow and old-fashioned, and that's much of their charm. The main routes for visitors:
- Main Line (hill country): Colombo – Kandy – Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) – Ella – Badulla. The Nanu Oya–Ella stretch is one of the world's great train rides, through tea estates and cloud forest. See the status note above.
- Coast Line: Colombo – Bentota – Hikkaduwa – Galle – Matara, running right along the sea for long stretches.
- Northern and eastern lines: towards Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
Classes: first class (on some trains, including observation saloons), reserved second and third class, and unreserved second and third class. Reserved seats on the popular scenic trains sell out weeks ahead in peak season. Book as early as you can, through Sri Lanka Railways' official reservation service or at stations. Third-party agents also sell tickets, often at two to three times the station price.
Safety: UK government advice is to stay inside the carriage while the train is moving. There have been fatal accidents involving people hanging out of doorways for photos.
A good combination: many guests have their driver drop them at a station for one scenic stretch, then meet them with the luggage at the other end. You get the train experience without hauling bags or worrying about seats for the whole trip.
Buses
- Local buses (red government and private buses) go almost everywhere and are very cheap, but they're often crowded and driven fast.
- Air-conditioned expressway buses link Colombo with Galle, Matara, Kandy and the airport, and are quicker and more comfortable.
- Luggage space is limited, so buses work best if you travel light.
Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing
- Three-wheelers ("tuk-tuks") are everywhere and great for short trips.
- Agree the fare before you get in, or choose one with a working meter. In Colombo and other larger towns, the PickMe and Uber apps book tuk-tuks and cars at fixed fares.
- Women travelling alone at night: UK government advice notes occasional reports of harassment. Prefer app-booked rides, and change vehicles if you feel uncomfortable.
Driving yourself
You can hire a self-drive car, but you'll need a 1949-convention International Driving Permit obtained before you travel, plus a Sri Lankan recognition permit. Traffic is unpredictable: buses overtake on bends, and there are tuk-tuks, dogs, cyclists and pedestrians everywhere. Night driving is particularly risky. Most visitors find a driver far less stressful and similar in overall cost once fuel, parking and permits are counted.
Typical road travel times
Approximate driving times in normal traffic, with no long stops:
| Route | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Colombo airport → Negombo | 20 minutes |
| Colombo airport → Colombo city | 40–50 minutes |
| Negombo → Sigiriya / Dambulla | 3½–4 hours |
| Sigiriya → Kandy | 2½–3 hours |
| Kandy → Nuwara Eliya | 2½–3 hours |
| Nuwara Eliya → Ella | 2–2½ hours |
| Ella → Yala (Tissamaharama) | 2–2½ hours |
| Yala → Mirissa | 2–2½ hours |
| Galle → Colombo (Southern Expressway) | 1½–2 hours |
Roads in the hill country are winding, so allow extra time, and more in the rain.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to travel around Sri Lanka?
For most visitors, a private car with driver for the overall route, plus one scenic train ride for the experience. It balances comfort, time and cost, especially for two or more people.
Is the Kandy to Ella train running?
Partly. As of October 2026, trains run between Nanu Oya and Badulla via Ella, but the Kandy–Nanu Oya section is closed for repairs, with reopening expected around the end of 2026 or early 2027. Check Sri Lanka Railways for the latest status.
Is it safe to drive in Sri Lanka?
It's possible with the right permits, but traffic is chaotic and accidents are common, especially at night. Most visitors choose a local driver.
Is Uber available in Sri Lanka?
Yes, in Colombo and some other cities, alongside the local app PickMe. Both book tuk-tuks and cars.
Sources: Sri Lanka Railways service notices and recent travel reports (hill-country line status, October 2026); UK FCDO travel advice (road, train and tuk-tuk safety; driving permits). Times are our own typical estimates. Related: best time to visit Sri Lanka · Sri Lanka tour packages.
Cover photo: Hendrik Cornelissen on Unsplash.
