Transport

Transport Facilities in Sri Lanka

This article is about transport modes and transport facilities in Sri Lanka as a self guidance for foreign tourists.

Following transport modes / methods are widely used in Sri Lanka

1. Bus Services

Most common public transport mode in Sri Lanka is public bus service. Mainly there are two service providers, that is Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB - Government Institute), and Private owners.

The cost is very low and this is the only public transport mode which can use to anywhere in the country.

There are several categories in public bus services

i. Normal Service

ii. Semi Luxury Service (between main cities) - Cost is 1.5 times of normal service

iii. Luxury / Air-Conditioned service (only between main cities) - Cost is 02 times of normal service

iv. Expressway bus services - (only between selected main interchanges of expressways)

2. Train Service

The train service in Sr Lanka is known as Sri Lanka Railways is the cheapest transport mode in Sri Lanka. But this service is available in limited areas due to the limited railway tracks.

There are several classes in Sri Lanka Railways as,

Class III - Basic and Cheapest class

Class II - Seats are more comfortable than Class III

Reserved Class III - Seats can be reserved; seat arrangement is the same as class III. But only available in limited trains

Reserved Class II - Seats can be reserved; seat arrangement is the same as class II. But only available in limited trains

Class I - Air conditioned, seats can be reserved, only available in limited trains

Expo rail & Rajadhani Express - Special compartments, only in selected trains

All the charges, time table and other details can be obtained through the Sri Lanka Railways website. Please refer - Sri Lanka Railway official website

3. Taxi / Cab Services

In Sri Lanka, taxi & cab services can be classified as follows.

i. Three Wheelers - Most common taxi mode and cheapest taxi mode. This taxi service is available in island wide. Most of the three wheelers are with taxi meters and operated by individual owners. Can be found in any main road, towns sub urban and even rural areas.

ii. Nano Taxi - This is a small type of cars used as taxi services. Only can be found in main cities.

iii. Cab Services - There are several cab services companies in Sri Lanka. Through this companies it can be hired cars, vans, and jeeps. It can be hired on daily basis rentals and per kilometer rates. Online bookings are also possible in some companies. Details and rates can be easily obtained from their web sites.