There are 5 ways to get from Tamil Nādu to Colombo by plane, bus, ferry, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Madurai
best- Fly from Madurai (IXM) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)plane IXM - CMB
1h 34mRs 48,572–97,266Train, ferry
cheapest- Take the train from Chennai Egmore to Nagappattinamtrain
- Take the ferry from Nagapattinam to Kankesanturaiferry
- Take the train from Kankesanturai to Colombo Forttrain
21h 16mRs 24,841–32,655Bus, ferry
- Take the bus from Chennai Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Bus Terminus to Nagorebus
- Take the ferry from Nagapattinam to Kankesanturaiferry
- Take the bus from Kankesanturai to Pettahbus
18h 34mRs 26,563–28,916Fly from Trichy International Airport
- Fly from Trichy International Airport (TRZ) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)plane TRZ - CMB
1h 53mRs 57,294–93,120Fly from Chennai International Airport
- Fly from Chennai International Airport (MAA) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)plane MAA - CMB
4h 12mRs 44,624–91,157
Madurai (IXM) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Tamil Nādu to Colombo is to bus and ferry which costs Rs. 26000 - Rs. 29000 and takes 18h 34m.
The fastest way to get from Tamil Nādu to Colombo is to fly which takes 1h 34m and costs Rs. 48000 - Rs. 100000.
The distance between Tamil Nādu and Colombo is 400 km.
The best way to get from Tamil Nādu to Colombo without a car is to train and ferry which takes 21h 16m and costs Rs. 24000 - Rs. 33000.
It takes approximately 1h 34m to get from Tamil Nādu to Colombo, including transfers.
There are 1412+ hotels available in Colombo.
What companies run services between Tamil Nādu, India and Colombo, Sri Lanka?
SriLankan Airlines flies from Madurai (IXM) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) once daily.
- Website
- srilankan.com
Flights from Madurai to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 39,000–45,000
Flights from Trichy International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 30,000–95,000
Flights from Chennai International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 34,000–75,000
- Website
- goindigo.in
Flights from Chennai International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 34,000–80,000
Flights from Chennai International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport via Bengaluru
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 38,000–80,000
- Phone
- 14646
- [email protected]
- Website
- irctc.co.in
Train from Chennai Egmore to Nagappattinam
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 43m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 800–6,500
- Website
- irctc.co.in
- Sleeper Class
- Rs 800–950
- Third AC (3A)
- Rs 2,100–2,700
- Second AC (2A)
- Rs 2,900–3,700
- First Class (1A)
- Rs 4,900–6,500
- 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
- Phone
- 9513948001
- [email protected]
- Website
- TNSTC
Bus from Chennai Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Bus Terminus to Nagore
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 34m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- Rs 800–2,800
- Website
- TNSTC
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- [email protected]
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Kankesanturai to Pettah
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,700–2,800
- Schedules at
- NCG Express Facebook
- Sleeper/Seater
- Rs 2,700–2,800
- Phone
- 022 - 22026666
- Website
- The Shipping Corporation of India
Ferry from Nagapattinam to Kankesanturai
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 22,673
- Website
- The Shipping Corporation of India
Ferry from Nagapattinam to Kankesanturai
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 22,673
- Website
- The Shipping Corporation of India
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