Joanna James
Colombo is one of South Asia's most central hubs; the port city is easy to navigate given the range of excellent public & private transportation options available there. Read on for the best choices.
The Bandaranaike International Airport is just 40 minutes from the commercial capital, Colombo. You can opt to choose the shuttle service offered by your Colombo hotel, or hop a taxi from the airport stand. Alternatively, there are plenty of buses plying across the city, offering easy connections to many 4 star hotels in Colombo. You can get on the free shuttle bus from the airport arrivals lounge to the main bus stand just 5 minutes away; from there you can easily get connections to other parts of the city.
Bus travel within the city is convenient if you can get past the congestion; city buses are often jam-packed, especially during the morning and evening peak hours. However, buses do arrive every 10 to 15 minutes offering connections to suburbs and other cities around Colombo. Heading over to the main Pettah bus station located within the city centre, you will be able to get connections to various parts of the island. If you are based at a centrally located city hotel, then exploring the hub of Colombo on a walking tour is pretty easy, in case you want to avoid the crowded buses. For instance, guests at Ramada Colombo may walk to the iconic Galle Face and the trendiest shopping and dining hotspots in Colombo.
The tuk tuks of Colombo are your passport to a getting about the city in a rush; able to mingle amongst the city traffic, these miniature sized three-wheelers are "monsters" on the roads. Simply hail one from the sidewalk, hop in and get driven to your destination. Here are some pointers to keep in mind though; always go with a tuk tuk equipped with a meter, if not, pre-determine your fare to the destination. Have a clear map of where you want to go, in order to avoid getting scammed and don't feel shy to ask your driver to slow down if he starts going too fast!
There are taxi companies listed under the Yellow Pages, as an alternative, you can also check with your Colombo hotel for a recommended cab service. There are also apps which you can download to your smartphone. Currently, two taxi services, Uber and Pick-Me offer this service; with personal apps, you can choose the type of vehicle you wish to hire and add your drop off location. Depending on the pick-up location, drop off location and type of vehicle you hire, you will get a pre-determined fare rate. Tuk tuk charges are the lowest.
Like the bus service, Colombo offers an extensive connection via rail. You will find main stations located along the coastal belt of Colombo, although the daily routes can be crowded during peak hours. There are of course luxury train services one can book, in addition to the regular lines, reaching out to various parts of the country. An up-country train ride, into the highlands of Sri Lanka, promises to reward you with some very picturesque experiences.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
