There are 5 ways to get from Palai to Colombo 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 Palai to Pettahbus
5h 40mRs 2,700–2,800Train
cheapest- Take the train from Palai to Colombo Forttrain Kankesanthurai / ...
6h 26mRs 1,300–3,300Drive 359.7 km
- Drive from Palai to Colombocar 359.7 km
5h 47mRs 15,826–22,859Train, fly
- Take the train from Palai to Tellipallaitrain
- Fly from Jaffna (JAF) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)plane JAF - CMB
6h 6mRs 105,073–214,323Train, bus
- Take the train from Palai to Anuradhapuratrain Kankesanthurai / ...
- Take the bus from Anuradhapura to Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminalbus 15-1-1 / ...
8h 49mRs 2,005–3,817
Palai to Colombo by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Palai to Colombo is to train which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3300 and takes 6h 26m.
The fastest way to get from Palai to Colombo is to bus which takes 5h 40m and costs Rs. 2700 - Rs. 2800.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Palai and arriving at Pettah. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 40m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Palai and arriving at Colombo Fort. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 26m.
The distance between Palai and Colombo is 362 km. The road distance is 359.7 km.
The best way to get from Palai to Colombo without a car is to bus which takes 5h 40m and costs Rs. 2700 - Rs. 2800.
The bus from Palai to Pettah takes 5h 40m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Palai to Colombo bus services, operated by NCG Express, depart from Palai station.
Palai to Colombo train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Palai station.
The best way to get from Palai to Colombo is to bus which takes 5h 40m and costs Rs. 2700 - Rs. 2800. Alternatively, you can train, which costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3300 and takes 6h 26m.
What companies run services between Palai, Sri Lanka and Colombo, Sri Lanka?
NCG Express operates a bus from Palai to Pettah 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 2,700–2,800 and the journey takes 5h 40m. Alternatively, Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Palai to Colombo Fort 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 1,300–3,300 and the journey takes 6h 26m.
- 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 95,000–200,000
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
Train from Palai to Colombo Fort
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 26m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- 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 Palai to Tellipallai
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,200–2,900
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,200–1,500
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,200–2,900
Train from Palai to Anuradhapura
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 36m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- 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 Palai to Pettah
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- 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 Anuradhapura to Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal
- 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 850–1,300
- Super Lux
- Rs 1,600–2,100
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Booking & Getting There
Palai to Colombo bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Pettah station.
Palai to Colombo train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Colombo Fort station.
Yes, the driving distance between Palai to Colombo is 360 km. It takes approximately 5h 47m to drive from Palai to Colombo.
Book your Palai to Colombo train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Palai to Colombo bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
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