There are 5 ways to get from Colombo to Palai 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.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Pettah to Palaibus
5h 35mRs 2,700–2,800Train
cheapest- Take the train from Colombo Fort to Palaitrain Colombo / ...
6h 11mRs 1,300–3,300Drive 361.1 km
- Drive from Colombo to Palaicar 361.1 km
5h 49mRs 15,459–22,330Fly, bus
- Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Sigiriya Airport (GIU)plane CMB - GIU
- Take the bus from Dambulla to Palaibus
5h 18mBus, train
- Take the bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapurabus 15-1-1 / ...
- Take the train from Anuradhapura to Palaitrain Colombo / ...
9h 24mRs 2,027–3,891
Colombo to Palai by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Palai is to train which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3300 and takes 6h 11m.
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Palai is to bus which takes 5h 35m and costs Rs. 2700 - Rs. 2800.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Pettah and arriving at Palai. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 35m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Colombo Fort and arriving at Palai. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 11m.
The distance between Colombo and Palai is 361 km. The road distance is 361.1 km.
The best way to get from Colombo to Palai without a car is to bus which takes 5h 35m and costs Rs. 2700 - Rs. 2800.
The bus from Pettah to Palai takes 5h 35m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Colombo to Palai bus services, operated by NCG Express, depart from Pettah station.
Colombo to Palai train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Colombo Fort station.
The best way to get from Colombo to Palai is to bus which takes 5h 35m and costs Rs. 2700 - Rs. 2800. Alternatively, you can train, which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3300 and takes 6h 11m.
What companies run services between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Palai, Sri Lanka?
NCG Express operates a bus from Pettah to Palai 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 2,700–2,800 and the journey takes 5h 35m. Alternatively, Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Colombo Fort to Palai once daily. Tickets cost Rs 1,300–3,300 and the journey takes 6h 11m.
- 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 Palai
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 11m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,300
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,400–1,800
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,600–3,300
Train from Anuradhapura to Palai
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 26m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,100
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,600
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,300–3,100
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- [email protected]
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Pettah to Palai
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- 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 Palai
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- NCG Express Facebook
- Phone
- +94 011-2587372
- [email protected]
- Website
- National Transport Commission
Bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapura
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- Rs 700–800
- Website
- National Transport Commission
- Schedules at
- NTC Schedules
- Standard
- Rs 700–800
- Semi Lux
- Rs 900–1,300
- Super Lux
- Rs 1,600–2,100
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Booking & Getting There
Colombo to Palai bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Palai station.
Colombo to Palai train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Palai station.
Yes, the driving distance between Colombo to Palai is 361 km. It takes approximately 5h 49m to drive from Colombo to Palai.
Book your Colombo to Palai train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Colombo to Palai bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
There are 32+ hotels available in Palai.