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 Pallaibus
5h 35mRs 2,700Train
cheapest- Take the train from Colombo Fort to Palaitrain Colombo / ...
6h 11mRs 1,300–3,300Drive 361 km
- Drive from Colombo to Palaicar 361 km
6h 1mRs 16,353–23,621Fly, 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
Questions & Answers
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.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Pettah and arriving at Pallai. 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 twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 11m.
The distance between Colombo and Palai is 375 km. The road distance is 361 km.
The best way to get from Colombo to Palai without a car is to bus which takes 5h 35m and costs Rs. 2700.
The bus from Pettah to Pallai 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. 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 Pallai 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 2,700 and the journey takes 5h 35m. Alternatively, Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Colombo Fort to Palai twice 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 14,000–110,000
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- seatreservation.railway.gov.lk
Train from Colombo Fort to Palai
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 11m
- 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 1,400–1,800
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,600–3,300
Train from Anuradhapura to Palai
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 26m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,100
- Website
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
- 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 Pallai
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,700
- Schedules at
- https://ncgexpress.lk/
Bus from Dambulla to Palai
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- 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 Palai bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Pallai 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 6h 1m to drive from Colombo to Palai.
There are 30+ hotels available in Palai.