Beach town in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Getting around Bentota
How to get around Bentota
Trains along the coast to Colombo and Galle are slow but scenic; tuk-tuks cover short hops. Southern Expressway buses are quicker for longer trips.
Ways to get around Bentota
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal train | About LKR 100–600 by class | Colombo Fort about 2 h; Galle about 1 h |
| Tuk-tuk | About LKR 800–1,600 for 5 km | Agree the fare first; meters are rare |
| Local bus | About LKR 50–300 | Frequent on Galle Road; crowded and fast-driven |
| Expressway bus | About LKR 500–1,200 | Faster to Colombo and Galle from Kurundugahahetekma |
Ride-hailing apps in Bentota
A 5 km ride costs about Rs800–1,600 ($2.4–4.8).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| PickMe | Works in Bentota but with fewer drivers than Colombo |
- Tuk-tuks rarely use meters; agree fares first. PickMe can be slow to match outside Colombo.
Arriving in Bentota
Bandaranaike International (CMB)
About 110 km: taxi or pre-booked transfer LKR 10,000–18,000, roughly 1.5–2 h via expressway; train from Colombo Fort.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rentals exist but local permit rules and crashes make them a poor idea. Tuk-tuks are cheaper and safer.
- Driving: on the left. An IDP must be endorsed by the Automobile Association of Ceylon, or get a temporary Sri Lankan licence.
- Onward travel in Sri Lanka: Trains are slow but scenic; reserve seats for Kandy–Ella well ahead. Buses go everywhere cheaply, and many visitors hire a car and driver for multi-day loops.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Bentota?
No. Use PickMe instead.
What's the best way to get around Bentota?
Trains along the coast to Colombo and Galle are slow but scenic; tuk-tuks cover short hops. Southern Expressway buses are quicker for longer trips.
How do I get from the airport to Bentota?
About 110 km: taxi or pre-booked transfer LKR 10,000–18,000, roughly 1.5–2 h via expressway; train from Colombo Fort.
Is Bentota walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Bentota
Going to Bentota solo?
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Sources
- Sri Lanka Railways seat reservations
- Sri Lanka Railways
- Sri Lanka Railways
- Sri Lanka Tourism
- Bandaranaike International Airport
- PickMe
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.