Colombo to Jaffna Bus Services.
Colombo to Jaffna bus services used to start from Wellawatte, Kotahena and Pettah.
Two types of bus services are operating between Colombo and Jaffna town. One is operated by SLTB (CTB) and the other is private buses including Luxury coaches. SLTB buses used to start from Colombo Central bus stand. One of SLTB's Jaffna bus service is starting from Ratmalana bus Depot and ends at Poin Pedro. Like wise it returs too on this route.
Colombo Jaffna Buses.
Most of them are Indian and Chines made buses and are in good running condition . Indian buses don't have much seat booking facility. You have to be there when the bus is going to start its journey. Most of them used to start from Colombo Central bus stand which is located next to the Colombo Fort Railway Station.
In Colombo, Jaffna bus seats can be reserved along the Galle road in Wellawatte on both side of the Road.
Most of the busses leave Colombo by 8.00 to 8.30 PM. Some super speed buses used to start by 10:30PM from Wellawatte .
In Jaffna bus seats can be booked in the Hospital Road. Most of the busses leave Jaffna by 8.00 PM from the Jaffna Fort area in front of the Jaffna post office.
Jaffna Luxury Bus Service.
Jaffna Luxury Bus Ticket Price: Rs 1,300/- (With A/C)
Semi Luxury Bus Ticket Rs 750/-
Popular Colombo - Jaffna Luxury A/C Bus service providers' names.
Annai Muththumari, Q Line, Venkadeshwara, SPS, PPT, Prince, St. Nicholas, Eswaran, D.S.Gunasekara, NCG, Thinakaran.
Poular Jaffna Semi-Luxury Bus service providers. (Non A/C)Thass Express, Luxmi, NCG, City.
Anuram travels, North West, Thana, Vimal Express, Elmo travels
Colombo to Batticalo bus service providers.
Casmin (semi), Surena (semi), Raja (semi). A/C buses Zeena, Superline, Surena and Raja.
Colombo to Trincomalee bus service providers.Avro and Superline (Both A/C busses)
Luxury bus services and Semi-luxury services used to start in the night time from Wellawatte (Colombo-6) and they will stop at Kotahena (Colombo - 13) . The journey will take 10 - 12 hours of travelling through the towns, villages, farms and forests to reach Jaffna which is 396 Km from the Colombo city. Normally the bus fare ranges from Rs 750/- to 1,300/- per person. These buses have the capacity to carry 41 to 56 passengers depending on the brand of the bus.
Tourist Transport.
Luxury bus services used to have ample luggage space. Reclining Seats, Air Condition, Onboard Movie shows (2 - 3 TV's fitted overhead), Tamil music. After 10 pm inside lights will be switched off for the passengers to sleep well. if the bus is provided with A/C, you can't open the windows as the windows are pre-fixed.
If Ladies are travelliing alone, when reserving the Jaffna Bus ticket tell this to the booking counter and they will place her next a lady. if available.
Before booking your bus seat with the agent make sure that the bus got "Route permit" for it. If not travelling in it will be a difficult task, as they will stop in some places and will wait for the permit checkers to pass from that area.
Keep a blanket handy as some busses become terribly cool with their A/C on.
The flow can’t be controlled by the driver and some passengers don’t like the A/C to be stopped.
When stopping for tea, don't leave your hand bags unattended in the bus, as there are some thieves pretend as passengers and used to steal when opportunities arise.
When coming by luxury bus from Jaffna arrange someone to pick you in the Galle Road as the busses used to reach Colombo by 4.00 am to 5.00am and it may be dark in some places.
