Quick answer
Galle to Colombo takes about two hours by the Southern Expressway, or three and a half to four hours by the coast road with stops. On the coast road, the best stops are Hikkaduwa's reef and turtles, the Peraliya tsunami memorial, the mask workshops at Ambalangoda, a boat trip on the Madu River at Balapitiya, Bentota's river and Bawa's gardens, and Mount Lavinia. The coastal train takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Key takeaways
- Galle to Colombo is about two hours by the Southern Expressway.
- The coast road takes three and a half to four hours with stops, and much longer with a full day of sightseeing.
- The Peraliya tsunami memorial marks the place where a train was swept away in the 2004 tsunami.
- Ambalangoda is the home of Sri Lanka's traditional carved masks.
- The coastal railway from Galle to Colombo Fort takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, running beside the sea for much of the way.
Expressway, coast road or train
There are three ways from Galle to Colombo between a Test and the ODIs. The Southern Expressway is the fastest, about two hours from Galle Fort to central Colombo, but runs inland through rubber and paddy with little to see.
The coast road, the old Galle Road, follows the shore through fishing towns, temples and beaches. Without stops it takes about three and a half hours; with a full day of stops it takes most of the day. The coastal train, from Galle station to Colombo Fort, takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and runs beside the sea for much of the way.
If the first ODI is the next day, take the expressway. If there is a free day, take the coast road and make the journey part of the trip.
- →Expressway: about two hours.
- →Coast road: a full day with stops.
- →Train: about 2.5 to 3 hours, seats by the sea.
Hikkaduwa and Peraliya
Hikkaduwa, about 30 minutes north of Galle, is the first good stop on the coast road. Its shallow coral reef and the green turtles that feed close to shore are best seen in the morning from roughly November to April.
A few minutes north, at Peraliya, a memorial marks the place where the Queen of the Sea train was swept off the tracks by the 2004 tsunami, with great loss of life. A small museum and a standing statue of the Buddha facing the sea make it a quiet, moving stop.
The 2004 tsunami also badly damaged Galle International Stadium, which was rebuilt and reopened in 2007, so the memorial has a direct link to the cricket.
- →Hikkaduwa reef: best in the morning.
- →Peraliya memorial: a short, quiet stop.
- →Tsunami photo museum: a small private collection nearby.
Ambalangoda and the Madu River
Ambalangoda, about 45 minutes north of Galle, is the home of Sri Lanka's carved and painted masks, used in traditional dance and healing rituals. A small mask museum and workshops in the town show how the masks are carved from kaduru wood and painted, and the masks sold there are made on site.
Just north, at Balapitiya, boats run up the Madu River, a mangrove-lined river with small islands, a cinnamon island and a temple. The boat trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and is a cool break in the middle of the day.
Lankan Stays & Trails often uses this stretch for a gap day between Galle and Colombo, with lunch on the river.
- →Mask museum and workshops: about 45 minutes.
- →Madu River: about 1.5 to 2 hours by boat.
- →Lunch near the river.
Bentota and Bawa's gardens
Bentota, about halfway between Galle and Colombo, is a river and beach resort with two gardens by Geoffrey Bawa and his brother Bevis. Brief Garden, Bevis Bawa's estate, is a quiet garden of sculptures and terraces, and Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa's country home, overlooks a lake.
Turtle hatcheries along the coast near Kosgoda vary widely in how they treat the animals. If you visit one, choose one that releases hatchlings promptly and does not keep turtles in tanks for display.
- →Brief Garden: about an hour.
- →Lunuganga: guided tours, book ahead.
- →Turtle hatcheries: choose carefully.
Mount Lavinia and the arrival
Mount Lavinia, about 30 minutes south of Colombo Fort, is the last stop before the city. Its colonial hotel on the headland is a good place for a drink at sunset, and the beach bars below serve seafood.
From Mount Lavinia, Colombo hotels in Kollupitiya, Colombo Fort or along the Galle Road are 30 to 45 minutes away, depending on traffic.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Galle to Colombo?
Galle to Colombo takes about two hours by the Southern Expressway. By the coast road, it takes about three and a half hours without stops and most of a day with them. The coastal train from Galle station to Colombo Fort takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
What are the best stops between Galle and Colombo?
The best stops are Hikkaduwa's reef and turtles, the Peraliya tsunami memorial, the mask workshops at Ambalangoda, a boat trip on the Madu River at Balapitiya, Bentota's Brief Garden and Lunuganga, and Mount Lavinia's beach and colonial hotel just south of Colombo.
Is the Galle to Colombo train worth taking?
The coastal train is worth taking if you travel light. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and runs beside the sea for much of the way, with fishermen, beaches and towns passing by. Sit on the left heading north for the sea views. Book reserved seats where possible.
What is the Peraliya tsunami memorial?
The Peraliya memorial marks the place where the Queen of the Sea train was swept off the tracks by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, with great loss of life. It has a statue of the Buddha facing the sea and a small museum, and is a quiet, moving stop on the coast road.
Should you visit a turtle hatchery near Bentota?
Turtle hatcheries near Kosgoda vary widely. Some release hatchlings promptly and support conservation, while others keep turtles in tanks for display, which harms them. If you visit, choose one that releases hatchlings quickly and does not encourage handling. Rekawa, near Tangalle, offers wild nesting watches.
Can you do Galle to Colombo the day before an ODI?
You can. Take the Southern Expressway for a journey of about two hours, or the coast road with one or two short stops. Arrive by mid-afternoon to rest before the match. Day-night ODIs in Colombo usually start around 2.30 pm.
Is the Madu River boat trip worth it?
The Madu River boat trip at Balapitiya, about 1.5 to 2 hours, is a calm break on the coast road, with mangroves, small islands, a cinnamon island and a temple. It is a good choice on a hot day, with lunch at a riverside restaurant afterwards.