How To Get From Colombo To Hiriketiya (or Dickwella)

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What options do I have to choose from when travelling from Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella?

When thinking about travelling from Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella there are 3 main options to choose from: 

• Private taxi
• Train
• Public bus 

Getting a Taxi from Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella

The easiest and fastest way to get from Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella is to book a private taxi. As I mentioned earlier in this post the distance between Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella is approximately 195 KM.

The journey in a taxi should take around 2 hours 45 minutes (more or less). A taxi should you approximately 30,000 LKR.

How to book a taxi in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, you can find Uber as well as their own version called Pick Me. On both Uber and Pick Me you have the option to book both a car or a tuk-tuk depending on the type of journey you are planning. The difference between the two is minimal however, I found Uber to be ever so slightly more expensive.

If Uber or Pick Me is not something that will work for you, you can also find reputable taxi recommendations here.

Personal Taxi recommendations

When I needed to travel long distances between towns during my month in Sri Lanka, I relied on the same taxi company repeatedly. The service was great and by the end of my time in Sri Lanka, I felt like I had made new friends.

If you are looking to travel from Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella by taxi then I’d highly recommend booking with this company.

Booking train tickets

When travelling by train in Sri Lanka, it’s crucial to understand the tiered class system, which affects the type of ticket you obtain based on whether it’s booked in advance or on the day of travel.

For this particular journey, as mentioned you cannot book in advance however the tiered class system still applies.

Below are the different class systems, each offering a unique travel experience:

• First Class
• Second Class unreserved
• Second Class reserved
• Third Class unreserved
• Third Class reserved

On a personal note, I DO NOT think you book first class. I mistakenly did this on my recent trip to Sri Lanka and regretted it. 

First-class felt somewhat isolated from the rest of the train, with closed windows and doors, and it didn’t offer the authentic Sri Lankan train journey experience I was seeking.

After just 30 minutes in my first-class seat, I found myself walking down to second and third-class to mingle with the locals, hang my head out of the windows, and truly immerse myself in the beautiful scenery. It turned out to be a delightful experience, with locals singing, playing instruments, and even sharing their food.

Getting from Wewrukannala to Hiriketiya/Dickwella

Once you have arrived in Wewrukannala, you will need to travel to Hiriketiya/Dickwella. The easiest way to do this is to jump in either a tuk-tuk or a taxi. The journey is only 10 minutes and should cost you no more than 2000 LKR.

Top Tips For Taking The Train

When travelling by train in Sri Lanka I recommend doing the following:

• Plan Your Tickets: Secure your tickets in advance, especially for more popular routes.
• Stay Vigilant with Belongings: While theft is rare crowded carriages can be a hotspot for pickpocketing. Keep your valuables secure in a crossbody bag or anti-theft backpack.
• Think About Timing: Aim to board trains during the day and arrive at your destination before nighttime. This will give you more flexibility and safety when finding transportation to your accommodation.

Getting the bus from Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella  

Unfortunately, If you plan on catching the bus from Colombo to Hiriketiya/Dickwella there is no direct route. You will either have to take 2 separate buses (or a bus and a taxi/tuk-tuk).

You’ve got two choices when it comes to taking buses. You can opt for a local bus, which is budget-friendly but tends to be a lengthier and less comfortable journey. Alternatively, you can reserve a seat on an express coach for a more efficient travel experience.

Express Bus

You can catch the ‘super-luxury’  express bus from Colombo Makumbura Multimodal Centre to the town of Matara. 

Tickets start at just under 3000 LKR and you can book online here. There are 19 buses’ leaving every hour between 4 am to 10 pm and the journey to Matara is 1.5 hours. 

Once you arrive in Matara you have a few options to choose from when travelling to Hiriketiya/Dickwella:

1. Catch a public bus from Matara to Hiriketiya/Dickwella: This should take no more than 30-45 minutes and a ticket should cost you less than 400 LKR.
2. Catch a tuk-tuk from Matara to Hiriketiya/Dickwella: Again should take you no more than 30-45 minutes but will cost you up to 4000 LKR.
3. Get in a Taxi: You can hop in a taxi for the last part of your journey. This should be roughly 35 minutes and will cost you up to 6000 LKR.

A Summary Of Your Options

Now that you’ve seen all the ways to get from Colombo to Hiriketiya, here’s a quick recap to help you choose the best option. If you’re looking for the fastest and comfortable option then booking a private taxi is your best bet.

If it’s a scenic and more budget-friendly option you are after then I really recommend booking the train. However, if you’re on an even tighter budget then travelling on the public bus will be the best option for you (albeit a less comfortable but more local experience).

Travel Method	Time	Cost	Comfort Level	Best For
Taxi	~2 hours	20,000 LKR	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Convenience
Train	2.5-3.5 hrs	260 LKR	⭐⭐⭐	Budget & Views
Bus	~3.5 hrs	400-500 LKR	⭐⭐	Budget Travel
Tuk-Tuk	~30 mins	2,000-3,000 LKR	⭐⭐⭐	Short Trips

I hope you have a safe journey from Colombo to Hiriketiya and that this blog was useful in helping you decide the best option for you. Have a wonderful time exploring Hiriketiya and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.