Colombo Airport to Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay, the surf point on the east coast, is the farthest of our routes from the airport: 417 km by Google’s route, about six and a half hours without stops.

• 417 km by road from the airport
• about 6 h 30 min driving time (Google)
• from $245.26 one way, City car
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

Fares to Arugam Bay

The starting price takes care of the first 50 km and the other 367 km are charged at the vehicle’s rate per km, so on a ride this long the rate makes up almost all of the fare.

VehicleSeatsBagsOne wayReturn

City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar2 seats2 bags$245.26one way$490.52 returnBook Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar3 seats5 bags$248.26one way$496.52 returnBook Economy carToyota Prius or similar3 seats3 bags$268.62one way$537.24 returnBook Standard carToyota Premio or similar3 seats3 bags$291.97one way$583.94 returnBook SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar4 seats6 bags$310.33one way$620.66 returnBook Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar4 seats6 bags$651.66one way$1,303.32 returnBook Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar7 seats10 bags$328.68one way$657.36 returnBook Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar14 seats14 bags$393.75one way$787.50 returnBook 20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar20 seats20 bags$427.10one way$854.20 returnBook 37-seat coach37 seats37 bags$987.75one way$1,975.50 returnBook 45-seat coach45 seats45 bags$1,181.30one way$2,362.60 returnBook 51-seat coach51 seats51 bags$1,384.85one way$2,769.70 returnBook

Fares to Arugam Bay, 417.1 km by Google’s route, as the booking form works them out. Your hotel may be a little nearer or further: enter its address in the form for its own fare.

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The drive

Google’s quickest way is not across the hills but round them. The car takes the Southern Expressway to its end in Hambantota district, turns north-east past Kataragama to Buttala, and there joins the A4, the old Colombo–Batticaloa road, which runs east past Monaragala and meets the sea at Pottuvil, just north of the bay.

Arriving in Arugam Bay

The surf season on the east coast is the opposite of the south’s: roughly May to October, when the point break at the southern end of the bay draws surfers from all over the world. Out of season the village is quiet and some places close.

A ride this long is easier in two parts. Many travellers reach Arugam Bay from the hills instead, on the three-hour ride from Ella, or spend a night at Yala on the way.

Other routes from the airport