Transpor
T
(^) H
ITCHING
̈ (^) Driving is on the left-hand
side of the road, as in the UK
and Australia.
Hitching
Hitching is never entirely safe
in any country in the world,
and we don’t recommend
it. In any case, Sri Lanka’s
cheap fares make it an un-
necessary option.Local Transport
Many Sri Lankan towns are
small enough to walk around.
In larger towns you can
get around by bus, taxi or
three-wheeler.Bus
Local buses go to most plac-
es, including villages outside
main towns, for fares from Rs
10 to 50.Ta xi
Sri Lankan taxis are common
in all sizable towns, and
even some villages. Only
some are metered (mostly
in Colombo), but over longer
distances their prices are
comparable to those of
three-wheelers, and they
provide more comfort and
security. Radio taxis are
available in Kandy and
Colombo. You can count
on most taxi rides costing
between Rs 60 and 100 per
kilometre.Three-wheeler
Three-wheelers, known
in other parts of Asia as
tuk-tuks, bajajs or autorick-
shaws, are literally waiting on
every corner. Use your best
bargaining skills and agree
on the fare before you get in.
Some keen drivers will offer
to take you around Mars
and back, and we’ve heard
of travellers who have gone
from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
in a three-wheeler, which
would be a slow five hours
or so.
As a rule of thumb, a
three-wheeler should cost
no more than Rs 150 perkilometre, but this can prove
elusive depending on your
negotiating skills. Note that
three-wheelers with meters
are becoming popular in
Colombo.
Three-wheelers and taxis
waiting outside hotels and
tourist sights expect higher-
than-usual fares. Walk a few
hundred metres to get a
better deal.Tours
Sri Lanka has many inbound
travel companies providing
tours. Many of the tours are
focused on a particular inter-
est or activity.
Action Lanka (%011-279
1584; http://www.actionlanka.com;
366/3, rendapola Horaga-
hakanda Lane, Talangama,
Koswatta) arranges outdoor
activities including white-water
rafting, kayaking, diving, moun-
tain biking and walks.
Baurs (www.baurs.com)
Wildlife-watching tours.
Boutique Sri Lanka (www.
boutiquesrilanka.com) Special-
ises in interesting accommo-
dation, ayurvedic retreats and
luxury resorts, guesthouses and
small heritage hotels.
Eco Team Sri Lanka (www.
srilankaecotourism.com) Wide
range of wilderness-based active
adventures, including white-
water rafting, hiking and wildlife
safaris.
Hoi An Motorbike
Adventures (www.motor
biketours-hoian.com; 9-day
tours from uS$2000) excellent
guided motorbike tours along
scenic back roads in some of the
less-visited parts of the island,
all featuring safari excursions.
Jetwing Eco Holidays
(%011-238 1201; http://www.
jetwingeco.com) Wildlife and
birdwatching tours.
Red Dot Tours (www.
reddottours.com) everything
from golf and cricket to wildlife
and wellness.
Sri Lanka Expeditions
(www.srilankaexpeditions.com)
a ctivity-based tours, includingrock climbing, trekking,
mountain biking and white-
water rafting.
Sri Lanka In Style (www.
srilankainstyle.com) Splurge-
worthy and unique accommo-
dation.
World Expeditions (www.
worldexpeditions.com) Wildlife,
culture and adventure tours,
often guided by experts.Train
Sri Lanka’s railways are a
great way to cross the coun-
try. Although they are slow,
there are few overnight or
all-day ordeals to contend
with. A train ride is almost
always more relaxed than
a bus ride. Costs are in line
with buses: even 1st class
doesn’t exceed Rs 1000.
There are three main lines:
South from Colombo a scenic
delight. recently renovated, runs
past aluthgama and Hikkaduwa
to Galle and Matara.
East from Colombo To the Hill
Country, through Kandy, Nanu
o ya (for Nuwara eliya) and ella
to Badulla. a beautiful route, the
portion from Haputale to ella is
one of the world’s most scenic
train rides.
North from Colombo Through
anuradhapura to Mannar and
also to Jaffna on rebuilt and
renovated tracks. one branch
reaches Trincomalee on the
east coast, while another serves
Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa.
Other Lines The Puttalam line
runs along the coast north
from Colombo, although rail
buses run between Chilaw and
Puttalam. The Kelani Valley line
winds 60km from Colombo to
a vissawella.General Tips
̈ Trains are often late.
For long-distance trains,
Sri Lankans sometimes
measure the lateness in
periods of the day: quarter
of a day late, half a day late
and so on.
̈ Most stations have helpful
information windows.