Getting There
Although it is possible to get to Tangalle, Sri Lanka over land or water, the best way is to fly.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
It can take anywhere between 3,5 hours to 4 hours to reach Tangalle from Colombo International Airport depending on traffic. Ministry of Villas can arrange a chauffeur to greet you upon arrival and escort you to your villa.
AIRPORT TAXI
Alternatively, there is a taxi desk at the arrival level which arranges one-way fares at a fixed-price. It is recommended to negotiate about the price before getting into the car, as metered taxis do not travel long distances from Colombo.
HIRED MINIVANS
If you are travelling in a larger group, hired minivan is the best option to reach Tangalle. The service is available through the travel agencies in the Colombo airport at the arrival level.
TRAIN
The train departs from Colombo Fort, and it can take between 3 hours and 3,5 hours to arrive in Kamburugamuwa city, which is around 50 km away from Tangalle. From Kamburugamuwa train station take a tuk-tuk or taxi to get to Tangalle. The road is usually less congested in that direction, so you can expect to get to the city from Kamburugamuwa within one hour.
PLANE
You can take a domestic flight from Colombo airport to Mattala airport, which is the fastest, yet, most expensive mode to get to Tangalle. The flight takes only 40 minutes and touches down at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which is 1,5 hours away from Tangalle.
BUS
Buses depart from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus terminal every two hours and go directly to Tangalle. The trip takes approximately six hours with two stops on the way.
Getting Around
There are plenty of options, so we’ve ranked them according to our recommendations for first-time travellers:
PRIVATE CAR
Ministry of Villas can arrange a private car and chauffeur for you. Depending on which villa you are staying in, the cost for the private car and chauffeur can vary, so it’s recommended to contact our Ministry of Villas team to get the complete information about the private transfers.
WALKING
The centre of Tangalle can be easily covered on foot, although, if you are planning to explore beyond the town, you might need to rent some transport.
TUK-TUK
If you are planning to travel further afield, tuk-tuk is a convenient and a very affordable mode to explore the nearby locations. You can simply flag one down the street, but before getting into the vehicle always negotiate the price. Also, if you can drive the tuk-tuk, there are a couple of rental shops, where you can hire three-wheelers at a reasonable cost.
RENTAL SCOOTER
Motorbike rental shops are plentiful in Tangalle. Take into account that the traffic is very chaotic in Sri Lanka, so a certain level of experience is required. Moreover, you should have an international driver license on your person at all times, and for your safety always wear a helmet.