sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

Colombo

Colombo

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Colombo

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Fort train station on the south edge of Pettah.
l ong-distance buses leave from Bastian
Mawatha (Map p 60 ; Olcott Mawatha) and
Saunders Pl (Map p 60 ; Saunders Pl). The
following table details which buses leave from
which station:

FROM BASTIAN

MAWATHA

FROM SAUNDERS

PL

Ambalangoda Anuradhapura

galle Badulla

Hikkaduwa Haputale

Kandy Jaffna

Kataragama Kurunegala

Matara Negombo

Nuwara Eliya Ratnapura

Tangalla Polonnaruwa

Trincomalee

̈ (^) Central Bus Station (Map p 60 ; Olcott
Mawatha) has suburban buses.
There are fast buses that leave from the south-
ern suburbs for galle via the Southern Express-
way (see p 114 ).
TRAIN
The landmark main train station, Colombo Fort
(Olcott Mawatha), is very central. Trains in tran-
sit often stop only for two or three minutes.
JF Tours & Travels (%244 0048; galle Fort
Train Station; h9am-5pm) has an office at
the front of Fort station; the helpful staff know
everything about transport in and out of Co-
lombo. Or you could try the information desk
in the station. There is left-luggage storage
(Map p 60 ; per bag per day Rs 60; h5.30am-
9.30pm) at the extreme left-end as you face the
station. See the Transport chapter, p 312 , for
more on train travel in Sri lanka.

8 Getting Around

TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
Completion of the Colombo–Katunayake
Expressway has greatly reduced travel time
between Bandaranaike international Airport
and the city. From its start 4km northeast of
Fort at Kelani Bridge, you can reach the airport
in 30 minutes. Unfortunately the city streets
remain as congested as ever during the day so
add plenty of time for navigating Colombo itself.
Avoid the old Colombo–Negombo Rd as it can
take up to two hours.
Bus Fast airport buses using the expressway
depart from Central Bus Station around the
clock, take about 45 minutes and cost Rs 130.
At the airport you’ll find buses in the parking lot
at the far left end of the terminal as you exit the
arrivals hall.

Car You can arrange an airport car with most

Colombo-area hotels for Rs 3000 to Rs 5000.

Hotels as far as galle and beyond also often

arrange airport transport. Drivers will meet you

in the arrivals area of the airport.

Ta xi You can book a car into Colombo (or

elsewhere in Sri lanka) at the desks when you

arrive in the arrivals hall. Or you can use the

hassle-free taxi service outside. Rides cost

Rs 2600 to about Rs 3200 depending on where

you are going in Colombo. Be sure to specify

you want to use the expressway and pay the

Rs 300 toll.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Bus The A-Z Street Guide contains a detailed

table and a map showing bus routes in Co-

lombo, but the best way to find out which bus

to take is just to ask people at the nearest stop.

Buses going down galle Rd from Fort or Pettah

include the 100. Fares vary from Rs 5 to Rs 40,

depending on distance. Service is frequent;

there is usually an English-language destination

sign on the front of the bus.

Ta xi Most taxis are metered, but often the

driver won’t use the meter – agree on the fare

before setting off. A taxi from Fort train station

to galle Face Hotel (a little over 2km) should

cost about Rs 250; Mt lavinia should cost

around Rs 1300.

Dispatched cabs are popular and good value.

Reliable companies include:

Ace Cabs (%281 8818; http://www.acecabs.lk)

Budget Ta xi (%729 9299)

Kangaroo Cabs (%258 8588; http://www.2588588.

com)

Three-wheeler Also known as tuk-tuks and tri-

shaws, these are ubiquitous. Although you’re

likely to get wet if it rains and the cramped back

seats have limited views out, a ride in a three-

wheeler is part of the Colombo experience.

Drivers dart fearlessly between huge buses,

an experience that’s exhilarating for some and

frightening for others.

Many three-wheelers now have meters and are

the cheapest means of getting around. However

some drivers will try not to use the meter or

won’t have one. Agree to a price before setting

out. From Fort, expect to pay Rs 300 to get to

Cinnamon gardens, Rs 600 to Bambalapitiya

and Rs 1000 to Mt lavinia. Avoid drivers who are

parked as they’ll charge more; hail one passing

by instead.

Train You can use the train to get to the suburbs

dotted along galle Rd – Kollupitiya, Bambalapi-

tiya, Wellawatta, Dehiwala and Mt lavinia; as a

bonus, the line follows the seashore. Timetables

are clearly marked at the stations, though

service is frequent. if you board the train at Fort

train station, double-check that it stops at all

stations or you may end up in galle. Train fares

are about the same as bus fares.