Getting around south Sri Lanka
Travel times, honest fares and the best way to get between every town on the south coast — from the airport to Yala.
Tuk-tuk and taxi fare estimator
About 36 km by road
Estimates only, last reviewed October 2026. Prices go up late at night, during festivals and in peak season.
Popular routes
- Colombo Airport (BIA) → Galle
- Colombo Airport (BIA) → Mirissa
- Colombo Airport (BIA) → Weligama
- Colombo Airport (BIA) → Hikkaduwa
- Colombo Airport (BIA) → Tangalle
- Colombo → Galle
- Colombo → Bentota
- Galle → Unawatuna
- Galle → Mirissa
- Galle → Weligama
- Galle → Hikkaduwa
- Mirissa → Weligama
- Mirissa → Hiriketiya
- Mirissa → Tangalle
- Galle → Tangalle
- Tangalle → Yala National Park
- Tissamaharama → Yala National Park
- Mirissa → Yala National Park
- Mirissa → Ella
How to get around
Tuk-tuks are the default for anything under 30–40 km. Use PickMe or Uber where you can — the price is fixed upfront. If you flag one on the street, agree the fare before you get in.
The coastal train runs from Colombo Fort through Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama and Matara, and on to Beliatta near Tangalle. It's cheap, scenic and often late, so don't book a tight connection after it.
Buses on the Galle–Matara coast road come every few minutes and cost very little. Air-conditioned expressway buses connect Colombo with Galle and Matara in under two hours.
Private drivers are the easiest option for airport transfers, travelling with luggage and day trips to Yala or the hill country. Agree whether tolls, parking and the driver's accommodation are included.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a tuk-tuk cost in Sri Lanka?
Using the PickMe or Uber apps, tuk-tuks cost roughly LKR 100–130 per kilometre. Street tuk-tuks in tourist areas usually ask more, so agree the price before you get in. Use the fare estimator on this page to check a quote.
Is it better to take the train or the bus along the south coast?
The coastal train from Colombo to Galle and Matara is slower but scenic and very cheap. Expressway buses are the fastest cheap option between Colombo and the south. Local buses on the coast road are frequent, crowded and cost very little — fine with a backpack, hard with a suitcase.
Should I hire a private driver in Sri Lanka?
For travellers with luggage, families or small groups, a private car with a driver is the most comfortable way to move between towns and often costs less per person than you'd expect. For short hops within a town, tuk-tuks are quicker and cheaper.
Do PickMe and Uber work on the south coast?
Yes. Both work in Galle, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Weligama and Mirissa, though there are fewer drivers in smaller places like Hiriketiya, Talalla and Tangalle, especially late at night.
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