Colombo to Galle and Matara Train
Coast line trains run from Colombo to Galle and Matara without a change, about 2 hours to Galle and under 3.5 hours to Matara. Book online up to 30 days ahead or buy at the station.
Take a Sri Lanka Railways coast line train from Colombo to Galle or Matara. It is the standard rail trip to the south coast, with no change of train for Galle, Matara or the stations in between. On booking platforms the Colombo to Galle trip is listed at 1 hour 50 to 2 hours 25 (October 2026).[1] Colombo to Matara is listed at 2 hours 30 to 3 hours 29.[2]
Reserve an air-conditioned first class seat if you want a guaranteed seat on one of the few trains that sell them. Otherwise buy a second or third class ticket at the station on the day and board early.
Map: Natural Earth (public domain) · Lines drawn through the stations of each service
Which train to take
The operator's December 2025 notice lists 11 trains a day from Colombo that reach Galle or go on to Matara and Beliatta.[3] The earliest leave at 06:10 on weekends and 06:25 daily, and the last leaves at 18:45 for Galle. Only the 08:35 and 10:30 depart from Colombo Fort. The others start at Maradana and then call at Fort.
In the other direction the same notice lists 11 trains a day to Colombo from Galle, Matara and Beliatta, from 03:15 to 15:15. The earliest trains are workers' services. If you want a daytime run, the Matara departures at 06:05 and 14:05 run daily.[3] Some trains run only on weekdays or only at weekends, so check the day-of-week column in the timetable above.
Sri Lanka Railways was rebuilding its online train schedule page in October 2026, so the notice is the latest full timetable available.[4] Times may have changed since December 2025, and station staff can confirm the day's departures.
Classes and fares
The operator offers first, second and third class on its Colombo Fort to Beliatta services.[5] Its reserved-seat sheet lists named express trains on the coast line with air-conditioned first class reserved seats, and second and third class as ordinary unreserved seating.[6]
The ordinary fares from Colombo Fort to Galle are Rs. 950 first class, Rs. 500 second class and Rs. 240 third class. To Matara they are Rs. 1,150, Rs. 600 and Rs. 300.[7] A reserved seat costs more, and the operator adds a service charge online. An example screen in its booking guide shows Rs. 1,100 per seat from Colombo Fort to Galle plus a 5% service charge.[6]
How to book
Online reservations are made on the operator's seat reservation site. You create an account first, and each booking covers up to five seats.[5] Passengers give a national identity card number or a passport number. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover or LankaQR, and the e-ticket is sent by email.[5]
The booking guide says seats can be reserved up to 30 days ahead.[6] It also lists coast line stations with a reservation counter: Colombo Fort, Maradana, Wellawatta, Mount Lavinia, Kalutara South, Aluthgama, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Matara and Beliatta.[6]
Cancelling more than seven days before departure refunds 75% of the ticket fee, 50% from two to seven days before, and nothing inside two days.[5]
Stations
Colombo Fort is the city's main station and Maradana is the first stop for most trains in the notice. Boarding at Maradana is the practical choice if your hotel is nearer.[3]
From Fort the line runs to Galle at 113.9 km and to Matara at 156.8 km.[8] Between them the line serves Kalutara South, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Koggala and Weligama.[8] The booking system also lists Mirissa and Unawatuna as stations you can select.[5] For Mirissa, book to Mirissa or Matara and check that your train stops there.
Beliatta, east of Matara, is the end of many services. Some trains end at Galle, so read the destination before you board.[3]
Timetable
Colombo to Matara
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Days | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maradana 06:10Coast line train | 06:10Maradana | not published Beliatta | Sat and Sun only | |
| Maradana 06:25Coast line train | 06:25Maradana | not published Beliatta | daily | |
| Colombo Fort 08:35Coast line train | 08:35Colombo Fort | not published Matara | daily | |
| Colombo Fort 10:30Coast line train | 10:30Colombo Fort | not published Beliatta | daily | |
| Maradana 14:30Coast line train | 14:30Maradana | not published Beliatta | daily | |
| Maradana 15:40Coast line train | 15:40Maradana | not published Matara | Mon to Fri | |
| Maradana 16:40Coast line train | 16:40Maradana | not published Beliatta | daily except Sat | |
| Maradana 17:25Coast line train | 17:25Maradana | not published Galle | daily | |
| Maradana 17:45Coast line train | 17:45Maradana | not published Galle | daily | |
| Maradana 18:10Coast line train | 18:10Maradana | not published Beliatta | Mon to Fri | |
| Maradana 18:45Coast line train | 18:45Maradana | not published Galle | daily |
Matara to Colombo
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Days | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galle 03:15Coast line train | 03:15Galle | not published Maradana | Mon to Fri | |
| Galle 04:10Coast line train | 04:10Galle | not published Maradana | daily | |
| Beliatta 04:15Coast line train | 04:15Beliatta | not published Maradana | daily except Sun | |
| Galle 05:00Coast line train | 05:00Galle | not published Maradana | daily except Sun | |
| Beliatta 05:25Coast line train | 05:25Beliatta | not published Maradana | daily | |
| Matara 06:05Coast line train | 06:05Matara | not published Maradana | daily | |
| Galle 08:50Coast line train | 08:50Galle | not published Maradana | daily except Sun | |
| Beliatta 08:55Coast line train | 08:55Beliatta | not published Maradana | daily | |
| Beliatta 12:50Coast line train | 12:50Beliatta | not published Maradana | daily | |
| Matara 14:05Coast line train | 14:05Matara | not published Maradana | daily | |
| Beliatta 15:15Coast line train | 15:15Beliatta | not published Maradana | Sat and Sun only |
Timetable source: Sri Lanka Railways revised timetable, coastal line[3]. Times change with timetable revisions. Check the operator's timetable before you travel.
Classes and fares
| Class | Type | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Air-conditioned first class (reserved seat) Reserved seats are sold only on selected express trains. | Seat Air-conditioned | LKR 950 to LKR 1,150[7] ordinary first class fare from Colombo Fort, Galle to Matara; reserved seats are sold on selected trains with a service charge |
| Second class seat Unreserved seating on most trains. | Seat | LKR 500 to LKR 600[7] from Colombo Fort, Galle to Matara |
| Third class seat Cheapest class, unreserved seating. | Seat | LKR 240 to LKR 300[7] from Colombo Fort, Galle to Matara |
Stations
Main stations in travel order. Distances from the first station, where the operator publishes them.
-
Colombo Fort 0 km
කොළඹ කොටුව
Most coast trains start at Maradana, 1.9 km away, and then call here.
-
Galle 113.88 km
ගාල්ල
Some trains end here, others continue to Matara and Beliatta.
-
Matara 156.813 km
මාතර
Many trains continue to Beliatta.
How to book
Book with the operator
Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation[5] · Sales open 30 days before departure.
At the station
reservation counters at Colombo Fort, Maradana, Galle, Matara and other coast stations[6]
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: 12Go timetable Colombo to Galle. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go timetable Colombo to Matara. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [3] Sri Lanka Railways: Revised Train Timetable from 2025/12/03 onward (Coastal Line). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [4] Sri Lanka Railways: Train Schedule Notice. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [5] Sri Lanka Railways: Online Advance Train Seats Reservation (terms and conditions). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [6] Sri Lanka Railways: Instructions for reservation of train seats. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [7] Sri Lanka Railways: Colombo Fort: Passenger Ticket Rates. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [8] Sri Lanka Railways: Coast Line: station details. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Sri Lanka Railways coast line trains run from Colombo to Galle without a change, and many continue to Matara or Beliatta.
Booking platforms list 2 hours 30 to 3 hours 29 for Colombo to Matara and 1 hour 50 to 2 hours 25 for Colombo to Galle (October 2026).
Most coast line trains in the operator's December 2025 notice start at Maradana and call at Colombo Fort. The 08:35 and 10:30 trains start at Colombo Fort.
Ordinary fares from Colombo Fort are Rs. 950 first class, Rs. 500 second class and Rs. 240 third class. A reserved seat costs more.
The operator's booking guide says up to 30 days ahead, on the online seat reservation site or at stations with a reservation counter.
The online booking system lists Mirissa as a station. Check at the station that your train stops there or book to Matara.