There are 5 ways to get from Colombo to Jaffna by bus, train, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
- Take the train from Colombo Fort to Jaffnatrain Colombo / ...
6h 40mRs 1,300–3,400Drive 395.6 km
- Drive from Colombo to Jaffnacar 395.6 km
6h 28mRs 17,514–25,298Fly to Sigiriya Airport, bus
- Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Sigiriya Airport (GIU)plane CMB - GIU
- Take the bus from Dambulla to Kachcheribus
5h 53mFly to Jaffna
- Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Jaffna (JAF)plane CMB - JAF
4h 35mRs 99,938–201,822
Colombo to Jaffna by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Jaffna is to bus which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 2800 and takes 6h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Jaffna is to fly which takes 4h 35m and costs Rs. 100000 - Rs. 210000.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Pettah and arriving at Jaffna. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 20m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Colombo Fort and arriving at Jaffna. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 40m.
The distance between Colombo and Jaffna is 401 km. The road distance is 395.6 km.
The best way to get from Colombo to Jaffna without a car is to bus which takes 6h 20m and costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 2800.
The bus from Pettah to Jaffna takes 6h 20m including transfers and departs every three hours.
Colombo to Jaffna bus services, operated by NCG Express, depart from Pettah station.
Colombo to Jaffna train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Colombo Fort station.
The best way to get from Colombo to Jaffna is to bus which takes 6h 20m and costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 2800. Alternatively, you can train, which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3400 and takes 6h 40m, you could also fly, which costs Rs. 100000 - Rs. 210000 and takes 4h 35m.
What companies run services between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Jaffna, Sri Lanka?
NCG Express operates a bus from Pettah to Jaffna 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 2,700–2,800 and the journey takes 6h 20m. National Transport Commission also services this route every 4 hours. Alternatively, Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Colombo Fort to Jaffna 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 1,300–3,400 and the journey takes 6h 40m.
- Website
- goindigo.in
Flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Jaffna via Madras
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 100,000–340,000
Flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Jaffna via Tiruchirapalli
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- Rs 85,000–300,000
Flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Jaffna via Madras, Tiruchirapalli
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- Rs 100,000–350,000
- Website
- cinnamonair.com
Flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Sigiriya Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 30 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 16,000–130,000
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
Train from Colombo Fort to Jaffna
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,400
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,500–1,800
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,600–3,400
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- [email protected]
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Pettah to Jaffna
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,700–2,800
- Schedules at
- NCG Express Facebook
- Sleeper/Seater
- Rs 2,700–2,800
Bus from Dambulla to Kachcheri
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- NCG Express Facebook
- Phone
- +94 011-2587372
- [email protected]
- Website
- National Transport Commission
Bus from Pettah to Jaffna
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 15m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–1,650
- Website
- National Transport Commission
- Schedules at
- NTC Schedules
- Standard
- Rs 1,300–1,500
- Semi Lux
- Rs 1,600–2,300
- Super Lux
- Rs 3,100–3,900
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Booking & Getting There
Colombo to Jaffna bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Jaffna station.
Colombo to Jaffna train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Jaffna station.
Yes, the driving distance between Colombo to Jaffna is 396 km. It takes approximately 6h 28m to drive from Colombo to Jaffna.
Book your Colombo to Jaffna train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Colombo to Jaffna bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
There are 186+ hotels available in Jaffna.