Colombo Bus Transport Hub

The central nerve of Sri Lanka's transport network. From the chaotic energy of Pettah to the modern expressways, Colombo connects you to every corner of the island.

Total Connections

238 Routes

Updated: December 2025

Major Departure Points

Central Bus Stand (CBS)

For SLTB (Government) Buses

The main red building in Pettah. Departures for long-distance routes like Kandy (Route 1), Jaffna, and Anuradhapura.

Pettah Private Bus Stand

For Private Buses

A sprawling complex of terminals surrounding the CBS. Look here for private AC and Normal buses to Galle (Route 2), Negombo, and most other destinations.

Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC)

For Highway Express Buses

Located in Kottawa (suburbs). The modern hub for luxury expressway buses to Galle, Matara, and Hambantota. Connected to Colombo Fort via Route 138.

Essential Guides

Top Route

Colombo to Kandy is our most searched route.

View Timetable

Buses Departing from Colombo

Buses Arriving in Colombo

From Akkaraipattu

EX1-78/35/881

From Ambalangoda

2-3

2h 45m

From Ampara

EX1-51/35

7h 0m

From Angunukolapelessa

EX-01

3h 30m

From Angunukolapelessa

EX-01/574

3h 40m

From Anuradhapura

04, 57, 15-1, 15-1-1

4h 30m

From Awiththawa

EX1-24

1h 45m

From Baddegama

EX1-42

2h 00m

From Badulla

Highway Route

6h 0m

From Baduraliya

EX1-433/3/174

From Bandarawela

EX1-131/335

6h 0m

From Bibile

EX01-234/35/52

6h 30m

From Deniyaya

EX1-14/60

4h 0m

From Elipitiya

EX1-16

1h 55m

From Embilipitiya

EX01-9/211

3h 30m

From Galle

2-1

3h 30m

From Jaffna

NCG Express

8 hours

From Kandy

EX3/4-602

3h 30m

From Kataragama

EX1-12/32

4 hours and 30 minutes

From Kurunegala

2h 50m

From Matale

EX4/EX3/556

From Matara

EX1-18

2h 45m

From Middeniya

3h 30m

From Monaragala

EX1-52/35-2

5h 0m

From Passara

6h 0m

From Raddolugama

188

From Siyambalanduwa

EX1-52/35/909

From Trincomalee

From Vavuniya

EX-04/57

From Weeraketiya

EX1-11/32

3h 30m

Frequently asked questions

The Highway Express bus (Route 187-E3) departs from the Colombo Central Bus Stand (CBS) in Pettah. It runs every 30 minutes. The normal AC bus (Route 187) departs from the private stand nearby.

Pettah is generally safe but can be desolate late at night. Stick to well-lit areas near the main CBS building. If traveling after 9 PM, verify bus availability as frequency drops significantly.

Take the 138 Route bus from Pettah or Fort to Kottawa. Alternatively, use a taxi/Uber to "Makumbura Multimodal Center" for a faster transfer.

Colombo Bus Transport Hub

Major Departure Points

Central Bus Stand (CBS)

Pettah Private Bus Stand

Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC)

Essential Guides

Top Route

Buses Departing from Colombo

To Akuressa

To Ambagaswewa

To Ambalangoda

To Anamaduwa

To Angunukolapelessa

To Baduraliya

To Balangoda

To Bandarawela

To Bogawantalawa

To Bulathkohupitiya

To Chilaw

To Dayagama

To Dehiattakandiya

To Deiyandara

To Derangala

To Digana

To Diyasenpura

To Elpitiya

To Eluwankulam

To Embilipitiya

To Ethkandura

To Galapitamada

To Galenbindunuwewa

To Galle

To Galnewa

To Gampola

To Hambantota

To Hatton

To Horowpathana

To Kaduruwela

To Kalaoya

To Kalawana

To Kalpitiya

To Kandy

To Kegalle

To Kilinochchi

To Kinniya

To Kirinda

To Kolonna

To Kotiyakumbura

To Kuchchaweli

To Kuliyapitiya

To Kurunagala

To Kurunegala

To Lunugala

To Lunugamvehera

To Madolsima

To Maduru Oya

To Mahiyanganaya

To Mannar

To Mapalagama

To Matale

To Matara

To Mawanella

To Medirigiriya

To Monaragala

To Morawaka

To Mullaitivu

To Muttur

To Nandikadal

To Nattankandal

To Nawagattegama

To Nawalapitiya

To Nuwara Eliya

To Obbegoda

To Opatha

To Padiyapelella

To Passara

To Puttalam

To Rakwana

To Ratnapura

To Siripura