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Dickwella is a quiet beach town on Sri Lanka's south coast. It's known for Hiriketiya bay, a horseshoe cove popular with surfers. A taxi is the quickest way to get from Colombo to Dickwella, taking 3 hours. The bus is the cheapest at $2.90 (990 LKR).
Distance from Colombo to Dickwella
Colombo and Dickwella are about 142 km (88 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 170 km by road. The quickest way to get from Colombo to Dickwella is by taking the taxi, which takes around 3 hours.
3 ways to travel from Colombo to Dickwella
There are three ways to travel from Colombo to Dickwella. You can choose between the bus, train, and taxi. The journey takes 3h–3h 35m and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $2.90 (990 LKR).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Colombo→Matara2h 50m
- Matara Railway Station→Dickwella45m
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Colombo to Dickwella by Bus
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 Station, 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 $2.90 (990 LKR). Ask your driver to drop you off at Dickwella.
Colombo to Dickwella by Train
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 and Beliatta, but unfortunately, the schedule runs very irregularly.
Somehow, I ended up taking this train from Colombo as my original train was cancelled. This journey isn’t recommended, though. The trip took me almost twice as long, excluding the wait at Colombo Fort Railway Station!
For this reason, we recommend taking a direct train to Matara and continuing 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 arrive.
Step 1: Colombo to Matara by Train
Step tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
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 take 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 $1.80 (600 LKR) for a non-air-conditioned, 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
From Matara Railway Station, Dickwella is about 20 km away. The easiest way to reach it is by Uber, which takes about 45 minutes and costs around $8.60 (2,900 LKR).
If you can’t book a ride on Uber, you can arrange a private transfer in advance through 12GoAsia. It’s reliable, but prices are higher, starting from $78 (26,000 LKR).
A cheaper option is to travel by bus. However, Matara Bus Stand is still 1.5 km away from the railway station. It is 5-10mins away by taxi or tuk-tuk and 20mins away on foot. From there, catch 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 Taxi
A private transfer from Colombo to Dickwella is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 3 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Uber is the most budget-friendly option for this route, with prices starting at $81 (27,000 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $24 (8,000 LKR) each.
If you prefer booking in advance, platforms like BookAway or 12GoAsia are great choices. They’re very reliable but come with a higher price tag, starting at $95 (32,000 LKR).
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Colombo to Dickwella, roughly 142 kilometres (88 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $2.90 (990 LKR). The quickest trip takes 3h.
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 Colombo to Dickwella?
The distance from Colombo to Dickwella is 142 kilometres (88 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Dickwella?
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Dickwella is by taxi and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Dickwella?
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Dickwella is by bus with ticket costs starting from 990 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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