Written by Finn Weber, Karen Price, Chamara Perera
12/08/2025
Atlantic Ambience, Pexels
Unawatuna has its own railway station. The nearby city of Galle serves as a major transport hub with both a railway station and a bus station, approximately 5 to 6 kilometers away. For air travel, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo is the closest international airport.
From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Unawatuna:
Taxi/Private Transfer:: A direct taxi or private transfer typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and costs between LKR 15,000 and LKR 23,000 (approximately $40-$80 USD or €40). This is the only direct transfer option available from the airport.
Train (Indirect):: Travel involves taking a Colombo Express bus from the airport to Colombo Fort Station, then a train to Unawatuna. The total journey can take around 4.5 to 5 hours and cost approximately LKR 720 (around €2) for the combined bus and train fare.
Bus (Indirect):: There is no direct bus from the airport to Unawatuna. Travelers can take a bus to Colombo's central bus stand (Bastian Road) or Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre, and then transfer to a bus heading towards Galle or Unawatuna. The total journey from the airport could take around 4 hours 20 minutes. Normal route buses are generally cheaper but slower, while Southern Expressway buses offer a faster, more comfortable, and slightly more expensive option.
From Colombo City (e.g., Colombo Fort) to Unawatuna:
Train:: Direct trains depart from Colombo Fort Station to Unawatuna. The journey typically takes between 2 hours 13 minutes and 3 hours 9 minutes. Ticket prices range from LKR 200 to LKR 3,800 (approximately $1-$13 USD), with reserved seats costing around $24 USD. Trains operate 2 to 3 times daily from Colombo to Unawatuna, and twice daily in the reverse direction.
Bus:: Buses from Colombo City to Unawatuna, often involving a transfer via Galle Bus Station, take approximately 3 hours 8 minutes to 3 hours 12 minutes. Bus fares are generally very economical.
Taxi/Private Car:: A private car transfer from Colombo to Unawatuna takes about 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours. Costs can vary, ranging from LKR 5,000 to LKR 7,500 (approximately $15-$25 USD) for a car, with private transfer services ranging from $25 to $421 depending on the company and vehicle type.
Between Galle and Unawatuna:
Train:: A short train ride between Galle and Unawatuna takes approximately 9 to 31 minutes, costing between LKR 170 and LKR 2,500.
Bus:: Local buses run frequently, taking a short time and costing around LKR 15.
Tuk-tuk/Taxi:: A tuk-tuk or taxi ride is very quick, taking about 5 minutes and costing LKR 700 to LKR 900.
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