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Updated November 2026. Galle to Matara is one of the most useful short connections on Sri Lanka’s south coast. Coastal buses, trains and private tuk-tuks can all cover the journey, and the bus makes it easy to stop at beaches and towns along the way. The practical information here uses published 2026 transport references; the personal observations later in the article come from our original 2012 trip.
Galle to Matara by Bus: Route 350
Route 350 runs between Galle and Matara along the southern coastal road, via Unawatuna, Habaraduwa, Koggala, Ahangama, Weligama and Mirissa. The Southern Province Road Passenger Transport Authority gives a route length of 44.3 km and an indicative bus journey time of 100 minutes.
The official fare table, revised on 6 July 2026, lists LKR 223 for the full Galle–Matara journey. Check the Route 350 fare stages for intermediate stops and any later price changes.
The province also publishes a full Route 350 bus timetable, with frequent departures shown through much of the day. This is the best timetable reference for planning, but confirm the actual bus and departure locally, particularly early or late in the day.
Galle to Matara by Train
Sri Lanka’s coastal railway offers another way to travel between Galle and Matara. Depending on the train and stopping pattern, the trip is often around an hour; the train stations are not the same as the bus stands, so allow time to walk or arrange a short ride at either end.
For current rail services and fares, use the official Sri Lanka Railways timetable search and choose Galle and Matara with your intended travel date. The railway also publishes service notices. We have removed the original 2012 departure-time table because those times are not reliable for present-day travel.
Tuk-Tuk or Private Transfer
A tuk-tuk gives you flexibility to stop at beaches, markets and viewpoints, though a 44 km coastal trip can be slow and exposed to the weather. Agree the total fare, route and any stops before leaving; for larger luggage or a family, a private car may be more comfortable. There is no dependable fixed price for a negotiated transfer, so compare options locally.
Our Original South Coast Journey in 2012
Travel archive — 2012. This is our account of travelling along Sri Lanka’s south coast from Galle towards Matara. Routes, bus and train connections, fares and journey times described below are historical, rather than a current transport guide.
When travelling from Galle to Matara Bus Station in South Sri Lanka, the route passes the whale-watching port of Mirissa and the surfer paradise of Unawatuna. The scenic coastal path takes in coconut palms, beaches, fish markets, fishing ports, colourful boats, and banana stalls. The area is rich with culture and local life.
Galle to Matara by Tuk-Tuk: Our 2012 Journey
For the flexibility we wanted on our 2012 visit, a tuk-tuk seemed the easiest option for Galle to Matara (modern bus and train information is above). On the main road, and in front of most hotels, it is simple to haggle with tuk-tuks to bring you along Sri Lanka’s south coast and our notes from that journey recorded a roughly 40-minute tuk-tuk trip to Matara bus station; allow more time today, depending on traffic and stops.
Galle to Matara by Train: Our 2012 Notes
In 2012, we noted a range of departures from Galle railway station; for today’s services, refer to the current railway timetable linked above.
The timetable originally printed here recorded departures from our 2012 visit. It has been retired in favour of the official Sri Lanka Railways timetable search above.
Galle to Matara by Bus: Our 2012 Notes
Buses were frequent but departures felt unpredictable on our visit. For current Route 350 departures, use the published provincial timetable linked at the top of this guide.
Matara Bus Station
In 2012, Matara bus station felt rough and ready, and we saw few other tourists around. Expect muddled conversations. The surrounding markets are perfect for picking up snacks and refreshments for the long-haul journeys and hawkers will board before leaving to sell more snacks. From here we travel North to Ella or check here for our full South Sri Lanka Tour.
Unawatuna is the busiest of all the beach towns and our least favourite of the beaches because of it being over developed and one of the most touristic places in Sri Lanka. It really lacked the hospitality we had received everywhere else on the island.
Hi. Just to get an idea, how much did you pay for a tuk-tuk ride from Galle to Matara bus station???
I honestly can’t remember. I remember it was next to none (but we were still probably overcharged). Tuk-tuks are cheap in Sri Lanka.