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Jaffna sits 305 kilometres (190 miles) north of Colombo, at the tip of Sri Lanka. It's the heart of Tamil culture, with Hindu temples and its own cuisine. The train is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Jaffna at $7.40 (2,490 LKR), and it runs direct. A taxi takes 7h 20m - 8h.
Distance from Colombo to Jaffna
Colombo and Jaffna are about 305 km (190 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 393 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 7h and 8h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Colombo to Jaffna
There are three ways to travel from Colombo to Jaffna. You can choose between the train, bus, and taxi. The journey takes 7h–7h 30m and the quickest way is by train. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at $7.40 (2,490 LKR).
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Colombo to Jaffna by Train
We recommend taking the train from Colombo to Jaffna for a comfortable journey of 7h - 8h 30m.
If you take a daytime train, the fastest travel time is a little over 6 hours.
You can also take an evening train, but then you will miss the views during the ride and arrive in the middle of the night in Jaffna (which we won’t recommend).
See here the arrival and departure stations of the Sri Lankan Railway train:
Departs from Fort Railway Station in Colombo city centre
Arrives at Jaffna Railway Station in Jaffna city centre
Booking your train tickets
It gets noticeably hotter as you travel north from Colombo. If you’d prefer a more comfortable journey, it might be better to travel with an air-conditioned 1st-class train seat. This costs $6.70 (2,250 LKR) when you buy them at the train station.
However, since reserved 1st and 2nd-class seats often sell out fast, you might want to reserve your tickets online at least 30 days before your travel date. They are more expensive, but they will save you a lot of worry. A 1st class seat bought online costs $23 (7,700 LKR). If you would rather save money, 2nd-class seats are still comfortable enough, and they cost $7.40 (2,490 LKR).
If you missed this 1-month deadline, you can likely still buy your tickets at a local agency or cheap (2nd or 3rd-class) unreserved tickets at the railway station in Colombo.
Unreserved tickets are unlimited, and you can easily buy them at the train station on the day of your trip. However, you will have to compete with hundreds of locals for a good seat. There’s a great chance you will be standing for the first 3 hours of your journey until Anuradhapura, where many passengers get off.
Check out the Sri Lanka Railways website to see the schedules for 2nd and 3rd-class seats. For more info and other train booking options, check out this train guide for Sri Lanka.
Train schedule from Colombo to Jaffna
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Colombo to Jaffna by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Colombo to Jaffna, but bear in mind that it will be quite a long journey of at least 7h 30m - 8h 20m.
If you still want to travel to Jaffna by bus from Colombo, you have two options: you can take a tourist bus starting at $16 (5,400 LKR) or the cheaper local bus for $5.70 (1,930 LKR).
Option 1: Colombo to Jaffna by Tourist Bus
Tourist buses can get you from Colombo to Jaffna 2-3 hours faster than local buses.
They are also cleaner and much more comfortable with reclining seats and charging sockets. Well worth spending a little extra on!
You can choose from three tourist bus operators: Muthu Travels, Prince Travels and Avro Travels.
Rates start from $16 (5,400 LKR).
Option tickets are available on Bookaway.
Option 2: Colombo to Jaffna by Local Bus
In Colombo, you can find intercity buses to any point in the country. When going to Jaffna, you can take Route #87.
Most Sri Lankan local buses do not get good reviews. Ordinary and semi-luxury buses typically have hard wooden seats and no air conditioning, which can make the 11-hr trip to Jaffna quite uncomfortable.
But if you really want to travel like a local, a semi-luxury bus ticket costs $4.20 (1,420 LKR), while an ordinary bus ticket costs about $4.20 (1,420 LKR).
Departs from Colombo Central Bus Stand in the city centre
Arrives at Jaffna Bus Stand in the city centre
Colombo to Jaffna by Taxi
A private transfer from Colombo to Jaffna is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 7h 20m - 8h, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at $125 (42,000 LKR) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $42 (14,000 LKR) each.
You can also check the taxi apps Uber, PickMe and TaxiGo to compare rates.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Jaffna?
Jaffna is a relatively newly-reopened town for tourists in Sri Lanka’s northern tip. The city is a fusion of Hindu Islam and Buddhist Sri Lanka — a product of over two decades of civil war. Its many years of isolation from the rest of the country make it a unique place to visit, and there are relatively fewer tourists so you can have a more authentic glimpse of local life.
Inhabited by the Tamil people, you can expect a warm welcome when you explore this city. Some of the best things to do in Jaffna include a visit to Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, a walk around the Dutch Fort, and a trip to the local market (try the Jaffna mango!). Everywhere you go, friendly locals will greet you with bright smiles.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Colombo to Jaffna, roughly 305 kilometres (190 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $7.40 (2,490 LKR). The quickest trip takes 7h.
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 Jaffna?
The distance from Colombo to Jaffna is 305 kilometres (190 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Jaffna?
Journey times from Colombo to Jaffna overlap: train 7h - 8h 30m, bus 7h 30m - 8h 20m, taxi 7h 20m - 8h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Jaffna?
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Jaffna is by train with ticket costs starting from 2,490 LKR.
Route Update History
- Updated Bus by selene
- Updated Train by selene
- Updated Taxi by selene
- Updated Bus by selene
- Updated Train by selene
- Updated Taxi by selene
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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