Colombo to Dambulla
Arrive in Dambulla to explore ancient cave temples and lush landscapes, a contrast to Colombo’s busy city life. From Colombo to Dambulla, travelers can choose from a range of transport services, with full details on when they run, how long they take and what they cost.
Travel options for Colombo to Dambulla
On your journey from Colombo to Dambulla, take a train for 1760 LKR to save, or get there quicker with charter in 2h y 15 minutes.
Train from Colombo to Dambulla
Board at Colombo Fort and travel from Colombo to Dambulla, reaching Kekirawa after approximately 3 hours 34 minutes. Train tickets start from 1,760 LKR, so plan ahead and reserve your ticket.
Prices: 1,760 LKR
Duration: 3h 34m – 4h 36m ⏱
Bus from Colombo to Dambulla
Catch a bus from Colombo Express Bus Stop, Bastian Mawatha Bus Station, Colombo or Colombo, with the first trip of the day at 17:30, and start your journey from Colombo toward Dambulla. The service stops at Dambulla Main Bus Station or Dambulla Bus Station, with departures running frequently throughout the day so you can pick a time that fits your plans. The trip takes about 2 hours 35 minutes, and tickets start from 3,349 LKR. Reserve your seat ahead of time here.
Prices: 3,349 LKR
Duration: 2h 35m – 5h ⏱
Combined from Colombo to Dambulla
Combined routes link Colombo and Dambulla, starting from Colombo Transfer and reaching Dambulla. The trip typically lasts 4 hours 9 minutes with fares beginning at 11,231 LKR. Make sure to secure your booking in advance reserve your journey.
Prices: 11,231 LKR
Duration: 4h 9m ⏱
Van from Colombo to Dambulla
Board a van at World Trade Center, Colombo to travel from Colombo to Dambulla. The trip lasts around 4 hours, ending at Dambulla, with tickets available for 12,772 LKR. Plan ahead and reserve your spot on van bookings.
Prices: 12,772 LKR
Duration: 4h ⏱
Charter from Colombo to Dambulla
Skip the queues and crowded transport: a private driver will pick you up in Colombo and drop you exactly where you want in Dambulla. With a journey time of roughly 2 hours 15 minutes, this is the easiest way to travel, offering privacy and flexibility. Fares start at 23,501 LKR, and you can reserve your transfer here.
Prices: 23,501 LKR
Duration: 2h 15m – 3h 33m ⏱
Train Routes & Schedules from Colombo to Dambulla
At Colombo Fort you board the train bound for Dambulla. Services typically operate from 15:15 until 19:00, and the rail journey takes around 3h 34m to 4h 36m. Tickets are available from 1,760 to 2,600 LKR, and the route concludes at Kekirawa. By consulting the train timetable for Colombo to Dambulla, you can check exact departure times and choose the service that best fits your travel plans.
Cheapest & Fastest Train Colombo to Dambulla
1760 LKR, from Colombo Fort to Kekirawa, departure at 15:15, duration 3h 34mTrain Timetable: Colombo Fort → Kekirawa
- 15:15 18:49 3h 34m 1760 LKR
- 19:00 23:36 4h 36m 2600 LKR
Bus Routes & Schedules from Colombo to Dambulla
- Catch a bus at Colombo Express Bus Stop, with a journey lasting roughly 5h. You’ll arrive at Dambulla Main Bus Station. Tickets begin from 7,293 LKR, and services run at 20:00.
- Start your trip at Bastian Mawatha Bus Station, Colombo and reach Dambulla Bus Station in around 4h by bus. Services operate at 17:30 with fares beginning at 6,838 LKR.
- From Colombo, buses travel to Dambulla Main Bus Station taking approximately 2h 35m. Departures occur at 22:30, and fares start at 3,349 LKR.
Cheapest & Fastest Bus Colombo to Dambulla
3349 LKR, from Colombo to Dambulla Main Bus Station, departure at 22:30, duration 2h 35mBus Timetable: Bastian Mawatha Bus Station, Colombo → Dambulla Bus Station
- 17:30 21:30 4h 6838 LKR
Bus Timetable: Colombo → Dambulla Main Bus Station
- 22:30 01:05 2h 35m 3349 LKR
Bus Timetable: Colombo Express Bus Stop → Dambulla Main Bus Station
- 20:00 01:00 5h 7293 LKR
Combined Routes & Schedules from Colombo to Dambulla
Embark from Colombo Transfer and travel to Dambulla using a combination of vehicles. You’ll reach Dambulla after about 4h 9m, with services operating at 12:45 and tickets starting at 11,231 LKR. Consulting the timetable for routes connecting Colombo and Dambulla ensures you select the best departure.
Cheapest & Fastest Combined Colombo to Dambulla
11231 LKR, from Colombo Transfer to Dambulla, departure at 12:45, duration 4h 9mCombined Timetable: Colombo Transfer → Dambulla
- 12:45 16:54 4h 9m 11231 LKR
Van Routes & Schedules from Colombo to Dambulla
Board a minivan at World Trade Center, Colombo for the only direct transfer to Dambulla. The ride usually takes about 4h, with departures scheduled at 08:15 and fares starting from 12,772 LKR. You’ll reach Dambulla, and checking the timetable for trips between Colombo and Dambulla lets you pick the departure that best fits your plans and reserve your seat in advance.
Cheapest & Fastest Van Colombo to Dambulla
12772 LKR, from World Trade Center, Colombo to Dambulla, departure at 08:15, duration 4hVan Timetable: World Trade Center, Colombo → Dambulla
- 08:15 12:15 4h 12772 LKR
Charter Routes & Schedules from Colombo to Dambulla
- Hop into a private driver service at Colombo and reach Dambulla after roughly 2h 15m to 3h 33m. With frequent departures available, tickets start at 23,501 to 57,419 LKR.
- From Colombo Transfer, take a direct private taxi to Dambulla, covering the route in roughly 2h 44m. Departures are scheduled regularly, and tickets start at 57,419 LKR.
Cheapest Charter Colombo to Dambulla
23501 LKR, from Colombo to Dambulla, departure at --:--, duration 2h 15mFastest Charter Colombo to Dambulla
30495 LKR, from Colombo to Dambulla, departure at --:--, duration 2h 15mCharter Timetable: Colombo → Dambulla
- --:-- --:-- 3h 30m 26138 LKR
- --:-- --:-- 2h 33m 31489 LKR
- --:-- --:-- 3h 5m 57419 LKR
- --:-- --:-- 2h 15m 30495 LKR
- --:-- --:-- 3h 33m 28396 LKR
- --:-- --:-- 2h 15m 23501 LKR
Charter Timetable: Colombo Transfer → Dambulla
- --:-- --:-- 2h 44m 57419 LKR
Frequently Asked Questions Colombo to Dambulla
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colombo to Dambulla.
How long does the Colombo to Dambulla route usually take?
Travel time on the Colombo to Dambulla route varies by transport type and departure point. The fastest listed option is the bus at about 2 hours 35 minutes, while the longest listed bus trip takes about 5 hours. Train and van services sit in between.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Colombo to Dambulla?
The cheapest listed option on the Colombo to Dambulla route is the train, at 1,760 to 2,600 LKR. It runs from Colombo Fort to Kekirawa, with a journey time of about 3 hours 34 minutes to 4 hours 36 minutes.
What does a Colombo to Dambulla trip cost overall?
Prices on the Colombo to Dambulla route range from 1,760 LKR for the train up to 57,419 LKR for a charter. Bus fares are lower than the van and charter options, while the combined service is listed at 11,231 LKR.
Which transport is the fastest on the Colombo to Dambulla route?
The fastest listed service on the Colombo to Dambulla route is a bus trip from Colombo to Dambulla Main Bus Station, taking about 2 hours 35 minutes. Other bus and train options take longer, and the van takes about 4 hours.
Where do buses from Colombo to Dambulla leave and arrive?
Bus departures for the Colombo to Dambulla route are listed from Colombo Express Bus Stop, Bastian Mawatha Bus Station in Colombo, and Colombo. Arrivals are shown at Dambulla Main Bus Station or Dambulla Bus Station, depending on the service.
Where does the train go on the Colombo to Dambulla route?
The train on the Colombo to Dambulla route departs from Colombo Fort and arrives at Kekirawa. The listed journey takes about 3 hours 34 minutes to 4 hours 36 minutes, and there are 2 train trips in the schedule.
Is there a van option from Colombo to Dambulla, and what are its details?
Yes, there is one van service on the Colombo to Dambulla route. It leaves from World Trade Center, Colombo and arrives in Dambulla. The fare is 12,772 LKR, and the trip takes about 4 hours.
How often do services run from Colombo to Dambulla?
The timetable on the Colombo to Dambulla route is limited rather than frequent. Bus, train, van, and charter listings all show specific departures instead of regular intervals. The bus has 3 trips, the train 2, and the van and combined service each have 1.
What are the first and last departures for Colombo to Dambulla?
For Colombo to Dambulla, the first listed bus departure is at 17:30 and the last is at 22:30. The train runs from 15:15 to 19:00, the van departs at 08:15, and the combined service is listed at 12:45.
How does the bus travel time vary on the Colombo to Dambulla route?
Bus travel time on the Colombo to Dambulla route depends on the departure and arrival pair. One listed bus takes about 2 hours 35 minutes, another takes 4 hours, and the longest takes 5 hours. Different stations and routing explain the spread.
What should I know about booking a Colombo to Dambulla trip?
For Colombo to Dambulla reservations, TicketRoutes.com is the place to check the listed options and trip details. The route includes bus, train, van, combined, and charter services, so the exact departure point and timing depend on the transport you choose.
Is charter available on the Colombo to Dambulla route, and what are its details?
Yes, charter is listed for Colombo to Dambulla. Prices run from 23,501 to 57,419 LKR, and travel time is about 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 33 minutes. Departures are shown from Colombo or Colombo Transfer, with arrival in Dambulla.
More travel routes for Colombo and Dambulla
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