At around 6 to 7 hours from Colombo by vehicle, Batticaloa is situated on the Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka. There are many ways to travel up to here, depending on the level of comfort you expect and your available budget.
By A/C Van or Car
We have a fair network of vehicles, drivers and guides to drive you to and from Batticaloa district. Have a look at our page: Taxi Service in Batticaloa and Passikudah
By Train
There are 3 daily trains between Colombo and Batticaloa.
The journey takes 7 to 9 hours.
The train stops in Valaichchenai, where you can get down to reach Passikudah and Kalkudah with tuktuks that are available anytime in front of the railway station.
It also goes through Habarana station, which makes it easy to connect Batticaloa and Passikudah to the cultural triangle (Habarana, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura).
From Colombo to Batticaloa: you can take either the morning train at 6.05 AM, the afternoon train at 3.15 PM or the night train at 11 PM.
From Batticaloa to Colombo: you have the choice between the early morning train at 1.30 AM, the day train which starts at 6.10 AM and the night train that leaves at 7.40 PM.
Disclaimer: The above time table has been found on the Sri Lankan Railways official website in April 2025. Changes in schedules might occur overtime, so please kindly check the actual schedule when making your travel plans on the following link: http://eservices.railway.gov.lk/schedule/homeAction.action?lang=en
Tickets can be bought directly at the train station. You can also book tickets in advance online from the official website: https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
By Bus
Public Buses:
Public buses to reach Batticaloa from other main cities of Sri Lanka are gathered in the following chart:
| MANNAR | 6.30 AM |
| TRINCOMALEE | 9.30 AM 8.30 AM |
| PANANTHURAI | 4.30 AM |
| JAFFNA | 6.30 AM 4.00 PM 5.00 PM 10.30 PM |
| COLOMBO | 7.00 AM 07.00 PM 07.30 PM |
| BADULLA | 12.30 PM |
| AIRPORT (KATUNAYAKE) | 4.45 PM |
| HATTON | 6.20 PM |
| GALLE | 6.10 PM |
| POTTUVIL | 11.30 PM |
Public buses starting from Batticaloa to other main cities of Sri Lanka are gathered in the following chart.
| MANNAR | 5.00 AM |
| TRINCOMALEE | 5.20 AM 12.30 PM |
| PANANTHURAI | 6.40 AM |
| JAFFNA | 4.30 AM 4.15 PM 5.30 PM 9.00 PM |
| COLOMBO | 12.00 NOON 7.30 PM 10.00 PM |
| BADULLA | 6.00 AM |
| AIRPORT (KATUNAYAKE) | 6.00 PM |
| HATTON | 5.30 PM |
| GALLE | 6.00 PM |
| POTTUVIL | 6.00 AM |
The information was taken on May – 2025, from the SLTB Depot – Batticaloa, If you need More Details about the Buses, Please Contact the SLTB Depot – Batticaloa, T.P – +94 65 222 27 24
Public buses start from the Main Bus Stand, situated on Munai street, Batticaloa. As time schedule for the public buses might change from time to time, you can call the Main Bus stand at the following number to get confirmation about your time of departure: + 94 65 222 57 23.
Here, you can find the contact information for other public bus stands: https://www.sltb.lk/network.html
N.B.: Seats in buses to Jaffna and Colombo can be booked at the Main Bus Stand one day in advance. For other buses, come to the bus stand around 1 hour before the departure of your bus.
You can also book tickets in advance online from the official SLTB website: sltb.eseat.lk
Private Buses:
Here is the timetable for private buses
Private buses to reach Batticaloa from other main cities of Sri Lanka are gathered in the following chart:
| TRINCOMALEE | The first bus starts at 3.55 AM, and the last bus at 6.05 PM In between there is a bus leaving every 20 – 30 minutes continuously from the Trincomalee Bus Stand. |
| KALMUNAI | The first bus starts at 3.00 AM, and the last bus at 6.15 PM In between there is a bus leaving every 20 – 30 minutes continuously from the Kalmunai Bus Stand. |
| Ampara | 3.55 AM 6.30 AM 7.45 AM 8.15 AM 1.45 PM |
Private buses starting from Batticaloa to other main cities of Sri Lanka are gathered in the following chart.
| POLONNARUWA | The first bus starts at 4.00 AM, and the last Bus at 5.10 PM In between there is a bus leaving every 20 – 30 minutes continuously from the Batticaloa Bus Stand. |
| TRINCOMALEE | The first bus starts at 4.10 AM, and the last bus at 7.25 PM In between there is a bus leaving every 20 – 30 minutes continuously from the Batticaloa Bus Stand. |
| KALMUNAI | The first bus starts at 7.00 AM, and the last bus at 9.55 PM In between there is a bus leaving every 20 – 30 minutes continuously from the Batticaloa Bus Stand. |
| JAFFNA | 4.00 AM |
| COLOMBO | 6.30 AM 7.50 AM |
| KANDY | 4.30 AM 12.10 PM |
| VAVUNIYA | 5.00 AM 6.50 AM 8.10 AM 10.00 AM |
| PUTTALAM | 9.25 AM |
| GALLE | 6.00 AM |
| POTTUVIL | 4.40 AM 6.10 AM 6.50 AM 7.40 AM 12.15 PM 2.30 PM 2.50 PM |
| AKKARAIPATTU | The first bus starts at 4.40 AM, and the last bus at 5.30 PM In between there is a bus leaving every 20 – 30 minutes continuously from the Batticaloa Bus Stand. |
The information was taken on May – 2025, from the Private Bus Stand – Batticaloa, If you need More Details about the Buses, Please Contact the Private Bus Stand – Batticaloa, T.P –
Night Buses to and from Colombo:
Batticaloa is linked to Colombo by a number of private buses travelling night time. Some buses are air conditioned and offer a comfortable yet affordable way to cross the country. Royal bus, New Royal Bus, Surena, etc. are companies operating private buses from Batticaloa to Colombo.
By flight
Batticaloa has a domestic airport. Cinnamon Air organises scheduled flights and charter flights to Batticaloa.