Travel Answers

Hello, I will arrive in Colombo at night and shift to hotel in Negombo. Next day early morning, I want to leave for Kandy for a day trip. My travel options in the order of preference is bus, train and car. Can some body guide me how to travel. Thanks in advance. Jahanzeb Pakistan

Hello I am arriving at the airport at 4pm and i'm undecided what the best way south is..: a) get a taxi to negombo, stay over night and then travel by train from negombo to colombo fort and then colombo fort to weligama (with a surfboard and rucksack!) b) get a taxi to hikkaduwa (i've been quoted80...seems quite expensive), stay overnight and then train to weligama. I quite like the idea of experiencing the local trains...but don'r know if it will turn out to be a lot of trouble! Thanks for any advice.

Hello, I shall arrive in Colombo next Thursday around 12 midday. I will eventually end up in Kandy, but want to arrive in daylight. Will I do it by leaving the airport at say 1.30 pm, bus to Colombo fort station then the train to Kandy or is it better to stay in Negombo and get to Kandy next day (Friday)? Does Negombo have any cheap budget type guest houses? I have searched and the only info coming up was for the same question asked in 2010! Thanks in advance, Paul Holmes, UK

Hi I would be in Sri Lanka in months of October 2012. I wanted to know if i can get a taxi at around 11 PM at airport to Paradise Beach Hotel and any idea how much would it cost? Also what could be the best sight seeing and things to do in negombo and around. I would be in negombo for around 4 days. thanks in advance!

help ????? trying to get some transport from jetwing beach hotel to colombo daily for the test match 3-7 april 2012 the hotel group wont answer any e-mails so can you help in any way.We were loking at possibly trying to hire a taxi-or driver for the day ,what sort of cost would this be in u.s. dollars or would it be easier to catch the train into town and tuc-tuc to the ground many thanks john.

My husband and I have an 8 hour layover in Colombo, and it just occurred to us today that we might be able to get out of the airport for a bit and explore. It seems like Negombo is the best option for us, but we were hoping someone could answer a few questions for us. 1. What is the best way from the airport to Negombo? It sounds like people recommend tuk tuks... how do we catch one? And is it relatively easy to find a way back to the airport? 2. Is it safe to go to Negombo with cameras, or does it make you a target for thievery? Are there lockers to leave our valuables at the airport? Is it at all dangerous for tourists? 3. How much money would we need for 8 hours in Negombo? I figure we'll just need transportation to and from the airport, and then enough for maybe a meal and some non-alcoholic drinks (for 2 people). Thanks for any help anybody can offer!

I am planning a short vacation to India and I'll be travelling via Colombo. On the return journey, the flight from Chennai lands at 12:00 hours and the connecting flight is at 18:50 hours. With a 5 hour transit (assuming 2 hours for immigration clearance), will I be able to visit few places near airport? People suggested Negombo beach. Is it safe there? and anything interesting to see? I dont wanna waste 5 hours at the airport! Any other suggestions?

We are heading to Sri Lanka in April and have today read on the foreign office website that tourists are not advised to visit Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa due to the floods has any body found this on recent visit

Will arrive Negombo in the morning around 11.00am. Please name some places of interest that we can spend a day while waiting for another group to arrive after midnight. Thank you in advance

Hi, I'm going to be working in Adiambalama. Wanted to know how far it is from Negombo and how far it is from Colombo by car. I will be given a car by my work, and sometimes I should have a driver. How bad is the traffic if I am going from Adiambalama to Negombo or to Colombo. I will usually leave Adiambalama during the weekend, so friday evening. What is there to do around there and are there any other interesting places closeby? Any places you recommend where I can meet people and make some friends to hang out with. Thanks in advance.

1st time to Sri Lanka. Such conflicting advise - I think I have boobed. Read somewhere that Nov is a good time to visit area because the Monsoons ended Sept - Oct. Further reading noted that November has VERY high rainfall (so much for peak season). Going 6/11/10 staying 14 nights in total : 7 nights Beruwela (Eden Resort) and then travelling to Negombo to get nearer airport (Jetwing beach). We like a combination of sunbathing days and exploring. Have I booked a good time to go or are we going to be soaked!! Carole

Hello We will visit Sri Lanka in peak season and make a tour. How much will cost 2 nights tour from Negombo to Hikkaduwa with seeing Kandy etc famous places on that 3 days 2 nights tour. Budget hotel with AC and budget Ac car. And how many hours Hikkaduwa -Negombo by train? Thank you for answer.

We're starting our honeymoon tour in Sri Lanka next year for 5 nights (before a week in the Maldives and a short stay in Dubai). We've been booked into the Browns Beach Hotel in Negombo and I'd really like to know how feasible it is as a base for the national parks, elephant sanctuary's and wildlife tours? Would we have to book overnight excursions or are there places to go nearby for day trips? Also, how safe is it in Negombo to explore outside your hotel? Other forums talk about a lot of restaurant and bars along the beach front...is this right and is it safe for tourists? If so, what are the prices like for dining / drinking out in Sri Lanka? Comparison in GBP please! thanks in advance for any help...

Hello, my boyfriend and I are spending 5 days (4 nights) in Sri Lanka in July. Last night we want to stay somewhere in Negombo in order to be close to the airport. On the day before we want to visit Colombo so the accomodation should be close to the public transport. We want something of a hostel or guestroom style, not expensive but clean. Where do you recommend us to stay? What's the best way to go to the airport from there? What's the best way to go to Colombo from there? Thank you for your help, Ursa

is it possible to get a taxi from outside the airport to my hotel at negombo. if so what are the rates?

Hi friend, need your help - i look house ( maybe with pool - 3 bedrooms 6 persons) from 11.04.2010 to 19.04.2010 in Negombo near beach Thank you advance. B/R, Andrey

I know it's awful but I do smoke. Last time I visited Sri Lanka it was ok to take cigarettes in, now it's not allowed. Does anyone know where in the Negombo area I can buy English or european cigarettes. Also, is smoking permitted in public areas such as restaurants & bars. Any useful advice would be great. Thanks

my wife and i will be staying at the club dolphin hotel mid february do they still use mozzy plugs in your roooms we intend to use local transport rather than hotel any advice tips names of drivers etc prices expected for visiting elephant orphanage.kandy etc

May i know whether are there food courts in Negombo other than restaurants? How much does it cost to eat dinner in restaurants of Negombo? Are all restaurants there only serving curries and nothing else?

I hope to visit SL in January 2010 and am considering renting a villa for 2/3 weeks. I am tired of paying supplements in hotels and the idea of having my own house and eating whenever I want, appeals to me. Any info much appreciated. Also, does anybody have experience of the Business Class on Sri lankan Air from Heathrow to Colombo ? It's my first visit so I like to plan well in advance.

Hi, Anybody stayed in Dolphin can advise on the pros and cons of cottage or deluxe rooms? Terry

Hi, I'm of to Negombo in April, not specifically a diving trip but I'd love to do a bit while I'm there...exited. Anyone dived the area? Who with? Got a contact address?

hi going to negombo next year and worried that theresnot much to do for the 2 weeks were staying there,would like someone to tell me what negombo is like iyself if theres things to do or not thanks,

hi going to negombo nxt july and was wondering where the best place is to by a ring for myself which isnt dear but not cheap in between and how much i can expect to pay,also can you tell me how far the elephant orphanage is from negombo,

hi, as you can see my boyfriend and i are of to negombo next year just wondering if someone can tell me more about it,we like going and doing things were not the stay by the pool people,can someone advse me best things to do and also what the browns beach hotel is like, many thanks,

has anyone stayed in Negombo and played golf in Colombo - if so how long was the taxi journey or is there a golf course in Negombo - any golfing information would be greatly appreciated.

i am thinking of staying in negombo for a week and then going on to Goa in february 09. i have never been to sri lanka before, is this a good area to visit at all. is there lots to see? or is it just a beach holiday? also how far from colombo airport, how much will taxi cost? is a week long enough?

Hi, we are planning a six week trip to sri lanka with our 22 month old son. does anyone know of any great child friendly places (on a budget) or if it is possible to buy disposable nappies anywhere? We're going to have a few days in Negombo, then head up to Kandy and the hill country and then head down to the south coast. Cheers!

I'll be arriving at 4:30 in the morning. How much would cost a transport from airport to Negombo? Is it possible to get public transport at that time? Is it good idea to use bus when having big baggage (those that you don't want on the knees)?

I am staying in Negombo for 2 weeks from 29th February '08 and wondered if anyone could recommend a picturesque/unspoilt beach not too far from Negombo, ideally not further than an hours drive away. Also has anyone stayed at 'The Tulip of Ceylon, near Mawanella? I'm hoping to stay there for a couple of nights during my stay in Sri Lanka and wondered if anyone had any experience of the resort or the nearby area. Thanks Nicki