Colombo to Jaffna: Train, Bus, Flight or Car?

Jaffna, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka's Tamil north, is about 400 km from Colombo. For nearly three decades, war made the journey difficult or impossible. Today the railway and the A9 highway are open, and the trip is straightforward, though long. You have four ways to do it.

At a glance

Option	Time	Best for
Train	6 to 8 hours	Comfort and scenery
Bus	8 to 10 hours	Budget and overnight travel
Flight	About 1 hour in the air	Speed
Car	7 to 8 hours	Stops on the way

By train

The Northern Line runs from Colombo Fort through Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya to Jaffna, and on to Kankesanthurai on the coast. The line was rebuilt after the war, and Jaffna's handsome station reopened in 2014.

• Services. There are usually several trains a day, including a faster air-conditioned intercity service, the famous Yal Devi express and a night mail train. The quickest take about 6 to 7 hours.
• Classes. First class is air-conditioned with reserved seats. Second and third class are cheaper, with reserved and unreserved options.
• Booking. Reserve seats in advance, online or at a station, especially at weekends, around festivals and during school holidays.
• Check before you go. Sections of the Northern Line have been closed for long periods in recent years for track upgrades, with services cut short or replaced. Confirm that through trains are running when you plan your trip.

The scenery changes as you travel, from the coconut country north of Colombo to the dry scrub of the Vanni and, finally, the lagoons and palmyra palms of the peninsula. See our best train journeys.

By bus

Buses leave Colombo for Jaffna through the day, with many departures in the evening for overnight travel.

• Private air-conditioned coaches are the most comfortable, with reclining seats. They depart from various points in the city, including Wellawatte and Pettah. Book a day or two ahead.
• Government and ordinary private buses are cheaper and more basic.

The journey takes 8 to 10 hours, with a meal stop. Overnight buses save a day and a hotel night, though the air-conditioning can be very cold and the driving fast.

By air

Domestic flights have linked Colombo with Jaffna's airport at Palaly, about 20 km north of the town. Flights have generally used Colombo's Ratmalana airport, south of the city, and not the main international airport. Operators and schedules change often, and services have been suspended at times, so check what's currently flying. The airport also handles flights from Chennai.

By car

The drive follows the A9 through Dambulla or Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi, and it crosses onto the peninsula at Elephant Pass. Done in one go, it takes 7 to 8 hours. It's far better to break the journey.

• Anuradhapura is the natural halfway stop, with the Sri Maha Bodhi and the great stupas. Stay a night or two.
• Wilpattu National Park is a short detour for a leopard safari.
• Mannar and Thiruketheeswaram can be added by taking the coastal route north.
• Elephant Pass, the causeway onto the peninsula, was the scene of major battles, and war memorials stand beside the road.

A car with a driver is useful in the north, where the sights are spread out. See hiring a driver.

Which should you choose?

• The train is the best all-round choice when through services are running.
• The overnight bus suits budget travellers who can sleep anywhere.
• A flight makes sense if you have only a few days.
• A car is best if you want to see Anuradhapura, Wilpattu or Mannar on the way.

Many travellers go north one way and return another, for example by train to Jaffna and back down the east side to Trincomalee by road.

Once you're in Jaffna

The town is flat and easy to get around by tuk-tuk or bicycle. Visit Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, the fort and the public library, and take day trips to the islands and to Keerimalai. Allow at least two full days. Our Jaffna and the north itinerary and Jaffna food guide will help you plan.

The best months are January to September. From October to December, the north-east monsoon brings heavy rain.