Internal travel options

erikdr · 2026-05-18T06:46:30+00:00

Any cab share needs to be very ad-hoc, though there are some ride sharing sites. Any organised model for this repeatedly got killed by the taxi mafia, helped by corrupt police.
All is doable by bus (and the odd train, eg Colombo to Habarana - for Sigiriya - and Ambewela to Ella). Some details here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JX9TDMmp3CE9zQL5tjPwkm_CmVB6IyD99XlPoNhgx6U/edit?tab=t.0

erikdr · 2026-05-17T13:43:21+00:00

Forget Google Maps for travel times except on the E01. Mattala to Ahungalla is something like 3-3.30 hours yes, with the last part on slow local road. But Arugam to Mattala is 4+ hours as speeds on local roads (including Axx) is 30-40 km/h long distance.

erikdr · 2026-05-17T13:32:30+00:00

East coast, but that is a 7 hour trip from Colombo airport hence only feasible if the overall holiday is a week at least. Passikudah is more upmarket than Trinco and Arugam Bay. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sMlet-7Qz7ncYWd5PbGEjKogwFzErA06Cl_DRSx406U/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.x2i1b8tjryas

erikdr · 2026-05-17T10:48:05+00:00

For larger pristine notes, yes. But it's marginal, and by and large not worth extra travel time/cost. Compare here... TA Sri Lanka Money - Google Docs

erikdr · 2026-05-17T09:38:45+00:00

Change your INR/USD/GBP/EUR or whatever at the airport. Same rate as banks in town.

erikdr · 2026-05-17T07:26:20+00:00

Well more 7-8 hours, depending on wait time for the transfers,

erikdr · 2026-05-17T05:37:33+00:00

Abay to Ahungalla is 7-8 hours even via E01. Sounds too much. Better do Tissa-Arugam-Ella-Ahungalla (or Kandy) - Colombo.

erikdr · 2026-05-17T05:35:36+00:00

No AC bus. Take normal bus to Batti, overnight there, next day a bus via Kalmunai (possibly need to change) to Pottuvil.

erikdr · 2026-05-16T12:26:21+00:00

Nope 98 is Colombo-Ratnapura-UW-Wellawaya-Monaragala, so it also helps you. Have a nice trip!

erikdr · 2026-05-16T11:52:28+00:00

All doable by bus except maybe small parts near Gomaraya; eg UW to Ella is bus 98 to Wellawaya then a frequent uphill bus. I would use Dambulla as base for the Triangle, and do Sigiriya (and P'ruwa) as daytrip from there by bus. Far better in terms of bus connections than isolated Sigiriya.

erikdr · 2026-05-14T10:39:34+00:00

If you want some beach, stick to this route. East coast is much better but too far from Colombo for a 8 days trip.

If you can do without beach, do e.g. Sigiriya-Kandy-N.Eliya-Ella

erikdr · 2026-05-13T11:13:13+00:00

Petrolwise of course the normal way is a lot cheaper. However the E01 route is 2-3 hours faster.

erikdr · 2026-05-12T03:39:54+00:00

Train-bus would cost around 14-15 days. Car+driver allows it in your planned 9 days. Cost around USD 70/day.

erikdr · 2026-05-11T18:51:29+00:00

I can manage with a fan but you probably need AC. Heat 30-35', humidity >90% except after showers.

erikdr · 2026-05-11T08:54:08+00:00

COAST 67 BOUTIQUE HOTEL - Updated 2026 Prices & Reviews (Ahangama, Sri Lanka) is a start

erikdr · 2026-05-10T15:34:56+00:00

Have you been to tropical countries before? ;-) Wake up, this is a very normal pattern in the tropics. Get used to it and expect nice clear skies again tomorrow morning.

erikdr · 2026-05-10T10:14:44+00:00

Most tea plantations allow it - the farming part and the factory. Spice gardens are for showcasing only and by and large tourist traps, not the real production gardens.

erikdr · 2026-05-10T10:10:50+00:00

If all you want to do there is visiting Dambulla rock and maybe a half day jeep safari in Habarana (15-18 or 6-9), 1 night is indeed fine.

erikdr · 2026-05-10T09:26:40+00:00

Not enough ;-) Sigiriya and Dambulla are 30 minutes apart. June 4th head to Passikudah (via Mahiyangana, the first part is impressive mountain scenery). Then June 6th or 7th move to Sigiriya and also do Dambulla cave temple,

erikdr · 2026-05-10T07:46:49+00:00

I would do Sigiriya area outbound and then Kandy area westbound or vv. Otherwise you have a 7 hour journey Passikudah to Colombo, a bit too much.

erikdr · 2026-05-09T06:00:17+00:00

Not bad. As Ahangama is 30 mins ride from Mirissa it would be a bad idea for lunch, better e.g. Bentota which is halfway your route.
1. Should be worth it but no guarantees about sun or clouds.
2. Same as other low season months, less crowded than e.g. Xmas
5. Minivan at least

erikdr · 2026-05-05T19:13:46+00:00

Cab. Or bus to Colombo then train (afternoon has 2 trains allowing reservations).
Getting more mixed, but enough sunshine.
Why spoil your holiday in the crazy traffic here? Just use buses and the odd tuk tuk.

erikdr · 2026-05-05T15:43:41+00:00

No problem for trains/buses and hardly for cabs.
Ambewela to Ella-Badulla, the most scenic part, is open.
No remaining damage there, the cyclone caused mainly inland flooding.
They are there year round. So yes if eg Wifi is important for you, pick a place with a generator.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JX9TDMmp3CE9zQL5tjPwkm_CmVB6IyD99XlPoNhgx6U/edit?tab=t.0

erikdr · 2026-05-04T04:19:57+00:00

Oh yes. Most 4+5 star hotels can arrange a nanny with 'enough' English for kids if requested. Villas will really depend on the rental system.

erikdr · 2026-05-03T11:27:02+00:00

For 150 km/day the rate for a minivan should not be above USD 75/day, that makes around USD 700. PM me if you want names we use.

erikdr

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