Beach town in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Getting around Unawatuna
How to get around Unawatuna
Tuk-tuks and buses link Unawatuna to Galle, 6 km away. The beach strip is walkable; trains stop at Unawatuna halt.
Ways to get around Unawatuna
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tuk-tuk | About 700–1,500 LKR to Galle | Agree first; PickMe sometimes works |
| Coastal bus | About 50–100 LKR | Frequent buses to Galle and Matara |
| Train | About 150–400 LKR to Galle | Slow but short; Unawatuna halt is small |
Ride-hailing apps in Unawatuna
A 5 km ride costs about Rs700–1,500 ($2.1–4.5).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| PickMe | Tuk-tuks and cars from Galle; availability varies |
- Most trips are street tuk-tuks at agreed fares. Hotels book airport transfers.
Arriving in Unawatuna
Via Colombo airport (CMB) (CMB)
No airport. Expressway taxi about 15,000–22,000 LKR, 2–2.5 h; bus or train to Galle then tuk-tuk is cheapest.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rented for about 3,000–5,000 LKR a day; coast road traffic is heavy. A Sri Lankan licence is required.
- 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 Unawatuna?
No. Use PickMe instead.
What's the best way to get around Unawatuna?
Tuk-tuks and buses link Unawatuna to Galle, 6 km away. The beach strip is walkable; trains stop at Unawatuna halt.
How do I get from the airport to Unawatuna?
No airport. Expressway taxi about 15,000–22,000 LKR, 2–2.5 h; bus or train to Galle then tuk-tuk is cheapest.
Is Unawatuna walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Unawatuna
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Sources
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 Spotted something out of date?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.