Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are frequent buses from Colombo (normal/luxury Rs 127/190, three hours). Buses
also operate frequently to Galle (Rs 37, 30 minutes). Buses to Galle or beyond will drop
you south of the bus station along the guesthouse strip. When leaving Hikkaduwa, your
chances of getting a seat are best if you start at the bus station.
CAR
There are two roads connecting Hikkaduwa with Galle and Colombo. The old Co-
lombo-Galle road runs right through the middle of Hikkaduwa. Travelling along this road
to central Colombo takes at least three hours and you should allow four or five hours to get
to the airport (at quiet times you can do it faster than this). Galle is 30 minutes away. It's
not worth taking the Southern Expressway (the toll road running 15 minutes inland from
the coast) to Galle, but you can shave a great chunk of time off the journey taking it to the
southern edge of Colombo. There is talk of a new bypass being built around Hikkaduwa.
TRAIN
The trains can get very crowded; avoid the really slow ones that stop everywhere. Check at
the station for express departure times. Service on the coast line is fairly frequent; destina-
tions include Colombo (2nd/3rd class Rs 160/85, two to three hours), Galle (2nd/3rd class
Rs 40/20, 30 minutes) and beyond to Matara. Air-conditioned carriages are available on
some trains with the price a fixed Rs 1000 to anywhere along the line.
Getting Around
A three-wheeler from the train or bus stations to Wewala or Narigama costs about Rs 150.
