Galle Fort, the walled old town on the south coast, is 153 km from the airport. Expressways cover almost all of the way, so the drive takes about two and a quarter hours.
- 153 km by road from the airport
- about 2 h 15 min driving time (Google)
- from $56.62 one way, City car
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup
Fares to Galle
The first 100 km are in the starting price; the other 53 km are charged at the vehicle’s rate per km.
City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar$56.62one way$113.24 returnBook
Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar$62.26one way$124.52 returnBook
Economy carToyota Prius or similar$66.89one way$133.78 returnBook
Standard carToyota Premio or similar$72.94one way$145.88 returnBook
SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar$74.53one way$149.06 returnBook
Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar$153.24one way$306.48 returnBook
Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar$82.43one way$164.86 returnBook
Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar$97.70one way$195.40 returnBook
20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar$124.82one way$249.64 returnBook
37-seat coach$143.78one way$287.56 returnBook
45-seat coach$180.13one way$360.26 returnBook
51-seat coach$210.67one way$421.34 returnBook Fares to Galle Fort, 152.7 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
From Katunayake the car heads south towards Colombo, goes round the city on the Outer Circular Highway and joins the Southern Expressway (E01) at Kottawa. The expressway runs inland, through rubber estates and paddy fields, and the car leaves it at the Galle exit, a few kilometres from the town.
Arriving in Galle Fort
The fort was built by the Portuguese and greatly enlarged by the Dutch in the 17th century; today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with hotels and guest houses inside its walls. Cars enter through the Main Gate, so most addresses inside can be reached by car.
The beaches nearby have fares of their own: Unawatuna is about 6 km past Galle, Hikkaduwa about 20 km up the coast. Further along the same expressway lies Mirissa.


