There are 4 ways to get from Colombo to Northern Province by bus, train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Pettah to Kokavilbus
5h 36mRs 3,555–3,755Train
cheapest- Take the train from Colombo Fort to Mankulamtrain Colombo / ...
5h 52mRs 2,179–4,162Drive 314.5 km
- Drive from Colombo to Northern Provincecar 314.5 km
5h 30mRs 14,204–20,517Bus, train
- Take the bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapurabus 15-1-1 / ...
- Take the train from Anuradhapura to Mankulamtrain Colombo / ...
9h 5mRs 2,727–4,741
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Northern Province is to train which costs Rs. 2100 - Rs. 4200 and takes 5h 52m.
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Northern Province is to drive which takes 5h 30m and costs Rs. 14000 - Rs. 21000.
No, there is no direct bus from Colombo to Northern Province. However, there are services departing from Pettah and arriving at Kokavil via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 36m.
No, there is no direct train from Colombo to Northern Province. However, there are services departing from Colombo Fort and arriving at Mankulam via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 52m.
The distance between Colombo and Northern Province is 348 km. The road distance is 314.5 km.
The best way to get from Colombo to Northern Province without a car is to bus which takes 5h 36m and costs Rs. 3500 - Rs. 3800.
It takes approximately 5h 36m to get from Colombo to Northern Province, including transfers.
Colombo to Northern Province bus services, operated by NCG Express, depart from Pettah station.
Colombo to Northern Province train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Colombo Fort station.
The best way to get from Colombo to Northern Province is to bus which takes 5h 36m and costs Rs. 3500 - Rs. 3800. Alternatively, you can train, which costs Rs. 2100 - Rs. 4200 and takes 5h 52m.
What companies run services between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Northern Province, Sri Lanka?
NCG Express operates a bus from Pettah to Kokavil twice daily. Tickets cost Rs 2,656 and the journey takes 5h 5m. Alternatively, Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Colombo Fort to Mankulam twice daily. Tickets cost Rs 1,300–3,300 and the journey takes 5h 23m.
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- seatreservation.railway.gov.lk
Train from Colombo Fort to Mankulam
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 23m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,300
- Website
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,400–1,700
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,500–3,300
Train from Anuradhapura to Mankulam
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,200–3,000
- Website
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,200–1,500
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,300–3,000
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- [email protected]
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Pettah to Kokavil
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,656
- Schedules at
- https://ncgexpress.lk/
- Phone
- +94 011-2587372
- [email protected]
- Website
- ntc.gov.lk
Bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapura
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- Rs 700–800
- Website
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/
- Schedules at
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/times/
- Standard
- Rs 700–800
- Semi Lux
- Rs 900–1,300
- Super Lux
- Rs 1,600–2,100
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More Questions & Answers
Colombo to Northern Province bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Kokavil station.
Colombo to Northern Province train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Mankulam station.
Yes, the driving distance between Colombo to Northern Province is 314 km. It takes approximately 5h 30m to drive from Colombo to Northern Province.
There are 11+ hotels available in Northern Province.












