Buses from Colombo to Matara

Buses from Colombo to Matara

Colombo
Matara
Fri, Sep 25
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2 Travelers
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Colombo to Matara Destination Reviews

P
Paul
All went very well indeed. Just was a little unsure what the process was going to be on arrival at the bus station. Then your contact met with us and it became clearer that his role was to guide us to the correct bus and pay. The bus did not go to Mirissa as requested so we had to offload before Matara and get ourselves another bus for the final 20 mins of the journey. As mentioned, all went very well though.
Colombo to Matara, Bus Air-conditioned Large Coach, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Mar 2, 2026
SE
Simon E
Excellent instructions on where to catch the bus and smooth on time journey all at a great price. Thank you 🙏
Colombo to Matara, Bus Air-conditioned Large Coach, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Jan 29, 2026
LC
Louise C
Comfortable and straightforward Though 12Go said we would be messaged our specific bus number and they didn’t. That’s quite stressful when you are waiting.
Colombo to Matara, Bus Super Luxury, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Feb 9, 2024
4.7
6 customer reviews
5
67%
4
33%
3
0%
2
0%
1
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Colombo to Matara Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
06:30
08:00
$8.14
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
07:00
08:30
$8.14
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
07:30
09:00
$8.14
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
10:00
13:00
$17.00
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
11:00
15:00
$17.00
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
12:00
13:30
$8.14
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
12:30
16:00
$17.00
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
13:00
14:30
$8.14
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
13:30
15:00
$8.14
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
14:00
18:00
$17.00
Disaru Expressway
Tourist AC
15:00
20:00
$17.00
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
17:30
19:00
$8.14
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
18:00
19:30
$8.14
Sri Lanka Bus Service
Super Luxury
18:30
20:00
$8.14

How to get from Colombo to Matara by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Colombo to Matara by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Colombo to Matara a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Colombo from Matara?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 151 km between Colombo and Matara.

How long does it take to get from Colombo to Matara by bus?

Buses normally need between 2h 30m and 2h 30m hours to get to Matara from Colombo. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Sasandara Expressway offers the fastest service. Sasandara Expressway buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Colombo to Matara by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Colombo and Matara remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Sasandara Expressway and costs USD 4.38. A Sasandara Expressway's ticket will set you back USD 4.38 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Colombo to Matara

Facts about the bus from Colombo to Matara

Cheapest Bus$5
Fastest Bus2h 25m
Earliest Bus12:00 AM
Latest Bus4:00 PM
Daily Bus Routes2
Distance151 kilometers
Bus CompaniesCeylon Roots, Sasandara Expressway, SL Highway Bus Service and Shuttle Transfer