|
If you’re already in India, it is possible
to travel to Sri Lanka by ferry. The country’s main ports
are in Colombo, Galle, Kankasanthuri, Hambanota, Trincomalee
and Point Pedru.
Trains provide one of the best ways to travel between cities
in Sri Lanka. Colombo is connected via rail with virtually
every tourist town on the island, although service to
northern cities has been suspended due to security concerns.
Don’t expect a dearth of first-class or air-conditioned
seats, but there is a new intercity express service between
Colombo and Kandy which is very comfortable. Otherwise,
expect a leisurely train journey where schedules are lax and
subject to change.
Buses offer another good way to get around the island. The
Sri Lanka Central Transport Board maintains an extensive
network of routes operated by private bus companies. Since
the buses are privately-owned, they can be either new and
comfortable or dirty and crowded. It’s worth paying a little
extra for the best coach you can find.
Hiring a car with a driver is another nice option if you
want to do a bit of sightseeing. Renting a car and driving
yourself isn’t recommended, as driving in Sri Lanka is
chaotic at best.
Within the towns and cities there are taxis, auto-rickshaws
and buses to help you get around. The official taxis in
Colombo have yellow roofs and are supposed to be metered,
but unscrupulous taxi drivers often take advantage of
tourists and refuse to switch of the meter. Visitors are
advised to find out the average taxi fares before they hail
a taxi. As with all transport in Sri Lanka, it’s best to
settle on the fare before getting in. Taxis drivers will
expect a 10 per cent tip.
|
