Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND
Domestic flights in Sri Lanka are quite limited, distances are not vast and new expressways
are shrinking travel times.
Travelling on public transport is mostly a choice between buses and trains: both are
cheap. Trains can be crowded, but it's nothing compared with the seemingly endless num-
bers of passengers that squash into ordinary buses. Even standing on a train is better than
standing on a bus.
On the main roads from Colombo to Kandy, Negombo and Galle, buses cover around
40km to 50km per hour. On highways across the plains, it can be 60km or 70km an hour. In
the Hill Country, it can slow to just 20km an hour.
All public transport gets crowded around
poya
(full moon) holidays and their nearest
weekends, so try to avoid travelling then.
Air
Options for flying within Sri Lanka are limited. Connecting air service at Bandaranaike Inter-
caters to well-heeled travellers. Destinations include Batticaloa, Dickwella, Sigiriya and
Trincomalee. Service is on small planes, some using floats.
Very limited domestic service operates at times from Ratmalana Air Force Base, 15km
Bicycle
Cycling around historic areas such as Anuradhapura and Sigiriya are the best and most en-
joyable ways to see these important sites. More and more hotels and guesthouses have bi-
cycles guests can hire (rent).
Hire
Simple, cheap mountain bikes make up much of the rentals you'll find in guesthouses
and hotels. Rates average about Rs 500 per day.
If your accommodation doesn't hire bikes, they can usually hook you up with someone
who does. Many places rent bikes to nonguests.
