There are 7 ways to get from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo by plane, train, bus, rideshare, 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.
Fly
best- Fly from Jaffna (JAF) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)plane JAF - CMB
4h 10mRs 102,072–200,595Train
cheapest- Take the train from Tellipallai to Colombo Forttrain Kankesanthurai / ...
7h 36mRs 1,668–3,835Train via Kankesanturai
- Take the train from Kankesanturai to Colombo Forttrain Kankesanthurai to Mt Lavinia / ...
7h 6mRs 1,812–4,005Bus
- Take the bus from Tellippalai to Pettahbus
7h 37mRs 3,079–3,247Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from Jaffna (JAF) to Colombo397.8 km
6h 29mDrive 397.8 km
- Drive from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombocar 397.8 km
6h 29mRs 17,498–25,274Bus via Jaffna
- Take the bus from Jaffna to Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminalbus Jaffna
10h 33mRs 2,238–2,809
Jaffna (JAF) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo is to train which costs Rs. 1600 - Rs. 3900 and takes 7h 36m.
The fastest way to get from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo is to fly which takes 4h 10m and costs Rs. 100000 - Rs. 210000.
No, there is no direct bus from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo. However, there are services departing from Tellippalai and arriving at Pettah via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 37m.
No, there is no direct train from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo. However, there are services departing from Kankesanturai and arriving at Colombo Fort via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 6m.
The distance between Jaffna Airport (JAF) and Colombo is 323 km. The road distance is 397.8 km.
The best way to get from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo without a car is to train via Kankesanturai which takes 7h 6m and costs Rs. 1800 - Rs. 4100.
It takes approximately 4h 10m to get from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo, including transfers.
Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo bus services, operated by NCG Express, depart from Tellippalai station.
Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Kankesanturai station.
The best way to get from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo is to fly which takes 4h 10m and costs Rs. 100000 - Rs. 210000. Alternatively, you can train via Kankesanturai, which costs Rs. 1800 - Rs. 4100 and takes 7h 6m, you could also bus, which costs Rs. 3000 - Rs. 3300 and takes 7h 37m.
What companies run services between Jaffna Airport (JAF), Sri Lanka and Colombo, Sri Lanka?
IndiGo Airlines flies from Jaffna (JAF) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) 6 times a week. Alternatively, Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Kankesanturai to Colombo Fort 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 1,300–3,400 and the journey takes 6h 52m.
- Website
- goindigo.in
Flights from Jaffna to Bandaranaike International Airport via Madras
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- Rs 90,000–190,000
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
Train from Kankesanturai to Colombo Fort
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 52m
- 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 1,500–1,900
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,600–3,400
Train from Tellipallai to Colombo Fort
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 29m
- 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 1,500–1,900
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,600–3,400
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- [email protected]
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Tellippalai to Pettah
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,700–2,800
- Schedules at
- NCG Express Facebook
- Sleeper/Seater
- Rs 2,700–2,800
- Phone
- +94 011-2587372
- [email protected]
- Website
- National Transport Commission
Bus from Jaffna to Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal
- 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 3,000–3,900
- Website
- https://www.mozio.com
Rideshare from Jaffna (JAF) to Colombo
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 29m
- Frequency
- On demand
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Booking & Getting There
Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Pettah station.
Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Colombo Fort station.
Yes, the driving distance between Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo is 398 km. It takes approximately 6h 29m to drive from Jaffna Airport (JAF) to Colombo.
There are 1362+ hotels available in Colombo.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Jaffna Airport (JAF) and Colombo. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.


















