6h 45m
by train · 400 km
7h 30m
6h 45m
9h 00m
Colombo to Jaffna is 400 km by road and takes about 7h 30m in a car. The train covers the same ground in about 6h 45m. By bus, allow 9h 00m.
Check another leg
Pre-filled with this route. Change either end to compare.
Connecting legs
Other legs from Colombo
-
Colombo to Kandy
3h 10m -
Colombo to Galle
1h 45m -
Colombo to Ella
6h 40m -
Colombo to Sigiriya
4h 15m -
Colombo to Anuradhapura
4h 30m
Other ways to reach Jaffna
-
Anuradhapura to Jaffna
3h 30m
Common questions
How long does it take to get from Colombo to Jaffna?
By road it takes about 7h 30m to cover the 400 km. That is real driving time including towns and traffic, not a map estimate.
Is there a train from Colombo to Jaffna?
Yes. The train takes about 6h 45m. On the popular hill country services, reserved seats open 30 days ahead and sell out the same morning.
Can I take a bus from Colombo to Jaffna?
Yes. Allow about 9h 00m. Buses are the cheapest option by a wide margin, and they leave when full rather than to a strict timetable.
How far is Colombo from Jaffna?
About 400 km by road, or roughly 249 miles. That works out at an average of 53 km/h once you account for the roads here, which is why the drive takes longer than the distance suggests.
What is the fastest way from Colombo to Jaffna?
The train, at about 6h 45m. Fastest is not always best here — on the scenic legs the train is slower and still the better choice.
Part of a surveyed matrix — 26 of 91 possible pairs measured so far. Times are what we recorded ourselves, not map estimates.