How to get from Colombo to Ahangama – Everything you need to know
So you’ve just landed in Sri Lanka ready for the adventure of a lifetime, and now you need to know how to get from Colombo to Ahangama.
Thankfully your search ends here. In this post, you’ll find all of the different ways to get from Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo to the beautiful surf town of Ahangama. With options to suit all budgets, all time constraints and all comfort levels.
The distance between Colombo and Ahangama is approximately 158.5 KM and journeys by car, train and or bus take as little as 2 hours and no more than 4 hours.
Thankfully no matter how you decide to travel to Ahangama, the journey is pretty quick and painless (as long as there is no traffic or train delays along the way).
Ahangama is one of the most stunning beach towns on Sri Lanka’s south coast and is one of my favourite places to visit in Sri Lanka. I’m SO GLAD you are planning to head there too and I hope you fall in love with it just as much as I did.
So how do you get from Colombo to Ahangama? Read on below to find out!
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*Please note all prices and currency conversions listed below are rough estimates and subject to change.
What options do I have to choose from when travelling from Colombo to Ahangama?
When thinking about travelling from Colombo to Ahangama there are 3 main options to choose from:
- Private taxi
- Train
- Public bus
Getting a taxi from Colombo to Ahangama
The easiest and most convenient way to get to Ahangama from Colombo is to book a private taxi. As I mentioned earlier in this post the distance between Colombo and Ahangama is approximately 158.5 KM.
The journey in a taxi should take no more than 1 hour and 50 minutes (give or take). A taxi should cost approximately 20,000 LKR.
After spending a month in Sri Lanka I rarely experienced much traffic on the roads outside of Colombo. This means once you get out of the city the journey should be pretty smooth sailing, and you shouldn’t experience too many hiccups along the way.
Unless your taxi driver accidentally runs over a cat on the way, but that’s a story for another time?.
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
During my month in Sri Lanka, I used one taxi company time and time again, whenever I needed to travel a long distance between towns. The service was great and by the end of my time in Sri Lanka, it felt like I had made a new friend.
If you are looking to travel from Colombo to Ahangama by taxi then I’d highly recommend booking with this company.
Book My Recommended Driver
The best way to book this driver is to reach out to him via Instagram. Click below to visit his profile.
Getting the train from Colombo to Ahangama
One of the easiest ways to get from Colombo to Ahangama is by train. This journey is not only straightforward but incredibly picturesque, travelling alongside some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful coastline.
You’ll be pleased to know that there are direct trains between Colombo Fort Station and Ahangama Station. Daily, there are 7 direct trains from Colombo to Ahangama. The first train leaves at 6:30 am and the last train leaves at 6:15 pm.
Make sure you are at the train station at least 30 minutes before the train departure time. Don’t forget to give yourself enough time to purchase tickets too if you haven’t booked in advance (ticket booking is discussed in more detail below).
Train Times From Colombo
| Departure | Arrival |
| COLOMBO FORT 06:30:00 | AHANGAMA 10:10:00 |
| COLOMBO FORT 08:35:00 | AHANGAMA 11:34:00 |
| COLOMBO FORT 10:30:00 | AHANGAMA 13:20:00 |
| COLOMBO FORT 14:34:00 | AHANGAMA 17:21:00 |
| COLOMBO FORT 15:44:00 | AHANGAMA 17:59:00 |
| COLOMBO FORT 16:44:00 | AHANGAMA 19:16:00 |
| COLOMBO FORT 18:15:00 | AHANGAMA 21:20:00 |
Please note that train times are always subject to change so you can check Sri Lankan Rail Website for the most up-to-date schedule information.
Also, some trains do not run on Saturdays or Sundays so please be mindful of this if you plan on travelling on a weekend.
The train journey time in Colombo and Ahangama ranges between 2 hours and 40 minutes to 3 hours and 20 minutes. Train tickets start from 260 LKR.
Booking train tickets
It’s important to know that when travelling by train through Sri Lanka there is a tiered class system and there is a difference in the type of ticket you can get whether you book in advance or book on the day.
If you would like to secure an assigned seat for the train journey then you must book a reserved ticket which has to be done prior to the day of travel. You can either go to the train station a day or two before your planned journey, or you can book them online.
Book Your Train Ticket
Reserve the best seats by booking in advance. Book your tickets below.
Alternatively, if you are not precious about where you sit (or even getting a seat) then you can turn up on the day and buy an unreserved ticket.
The different class systems are below:
- First Class
- Second Class unreserved
- Second Class reserved
- Third Class unreserved
- Third Class reserved
Each class will see you having a different experience. The first class will offer a quiet area with comfortable seating and aircon. The third class will be quite lively, fairly cramped and slightly uncomfortable with wooden seating.
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.
I didn’t feel like I was getting that “authentic” Sri Lankan train journey experience. First class felt quite cut off from the rest of the train and all the windows and doors were shut on the carriage.
After just 30 minutes sitting in my first class seat, I actually ended up walking down to second and third class to be able to mingle with the locals, hang my head out of windows and take in some of that beautiful scenery. It was such a fun experience with the locals singing and playing instruments and even sharing their food.
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 Ahangama
Unfortunately, If you plan on catching the bus from Colombo to Ahangama there is no direct route and you will have to take 2 separate buses (or a bus and a taxi/tuk-tuk).
First, you will have to travel from Colombo to Galle and then from Galle to Ahangama.
You have 2 options when it comes to taking buses. Either you can take a local bus which will be super cheap but a generally longer and less comfortable journey, or you can book an express coach.
Express Bus
You can catch the express bus from Colombo Makumbura Multimodal Centre to the town of Galle. This journey is roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs around 2000 LKR if you book online here.
There are 13 express buses a day leaving on the hour, every hour between 6 am and 6 pm.
Once you arrive in Galle you have a couple of options:
- Catch a public bus from Galle to Ahangama: This should take no more than 30-45 minutes and a ticket should cost you less than 400 LKR.
- Catch a tuk-tuk from Galle To Ahangama: As the journey between Galle and Ahangama is short, this is a fairly easy journey to take in a tuk-tuk. Again, it should take you no more than 30-45 minutes but will cost you around 2000-3000 LKR.
- Get in a Taxi: You can hop in a taxi for the last part of your journey. This should be roughly 30 minutes and will cost you around 4000-5000 LKR.
Book Your Bus Ticket
Reserve your bus ticket to Galle by booking advance. Find the best option below.
Public Bus
First, you will need to get yourself to Colombo Fort Bus Station and catch the public bus to Galle. This bus is super cheap at around 400 LKR but the journey can be uncomfortable and sometimes take up to 3 hours.
Once you arrive in Galle you have a couple of options:
- Catch a public bus from Galle to Ahangama: This should take no more than 30-45 minutes and a ticket should cost you less than 400 LKR.
- Catch a tuk-tuk from Galle To Ahangama: As the journey between Galle and Ahangama is short, this is a fairly easy journey to take in a tuk-tuk. Again should take you no more than 30-45 minutes but will cost you around 1800-2500 LKR.
- Get in a Taxi. You can hop in a taxi for the last part of your journey. This should be roughly 30 minutes and will cost you around 3500-4300 LKR.
Tips For Taking The Public Bus
Local bus travel in Sri Lanka is somewhat of an eventful experience. They tend to be quite crowded and lively, with music being played (sometimes passengers even bring their own instruments) and in some cases, you’ll find disco lights installed as one of the features of the bus.
When travelling by bus in Sri Lanka I recommend doing the following:
- Board Strategically: If you’re travelling on a local bus be sure to try to sit near the front as this is typically less crowded.
- Respect Cultural Norms: Dress modestly when travelling on local buses, especially in rural or conservative areas to avoid unnecessary attention.
- Night Travel Caution: Avoid travelling on buses late at night. Not only are the roads dark and winding but service frequency is also reduced.
Please also note If you are heading to Ahangama to surf and are transporting your own surfboard with you, please note that on some occasions you may not be allowed to take this with you on public buses.
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A Summary Of Your Options
Now that you’ve seen all the ways to get from Colombo to Ahangama, 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 Ahangama and that this blog was useful in helping you decide how to get there. Have a wonderful time exploring Ahangama and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
