9 of the best · Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
Airport, trains, roads and tuk-tuks.
Our 9 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Sri Lanka.
About 30–35 km north of Colombo
Sri Lanka’s main international airport at Katunayake, about 30–35 km north of Colombo and close to Negombo.
The Kandy–Ella line
The national railway, including the famous hill-country line from Colombo and Kandy to Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) and Ella.
Book by app for a fair price
Three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) are everywhere; booking one, or a car, through PickMe or Uber gives a fixed, metered price.
How to travel by train in Sri Lanka.
The back story
The hill-country railway is one of the great train journeys of the world. Here is how the lines work, which class to choose and how to book.
Flying in and around.
About 30–35 km north of Colombo
Sri Lanka’s main international airport at Katunayake, about 30–35 km north of Colombo and close to Negombo.
Seaplanes and small planes
Domestic scheduled and charter flights in small aircraft, from its terminal at Bandaranaike airport.
Trains, roads and tuk-tuks.
The most popular way to tour
Most visitors tour the island with a car and driver, booked through their hotel or a licensed tour operator.
Colombo to Galle in about 1.5 hours
Toll expressways link the airport, Colombo, Galle and the south, and part of the way towards Kandy.
Cars, vans and drivers
A Colombo-based rental company offering cars and vans with or without drivers.
Book early
The official website for reserving train seats, including the popular Kandy–Ella trains.
The Kandy–Ella line
The national railway, including the famous hill-country line from Colombo and Kandy to Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) and Ella.
Book by app for a fair price
Three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) are everywhere; booking one, or a car, through PickMe or Uber gives a fixed, metered price.
