Jaffna is about 396 km from Colombo, at the far northern tip of the island, and getting there is part of the trip. Most visitors take the train, which runs the whole length of the Northern Line in around seven to eight hours. Others go by overnight bus or by car on the A9 through Elephant Pass, and travellers from India can fly or, at times, take the ferry. This guide sets out each option and how to choose.
If you’re coming from Colombo or Anuradhapura, take the train. It’s the most relaxed way north, and you can book a reserved seat in advance.
By train: the Northern Line
The Northern Line runs from Colombo Fort through Anuradhapura and Vavuniya to Jaffna and on to Kankesanthurai. Cyclone Ditwah damaged it in late November 2025. After repairs funded by an Indian grant, the Jaffna Intercity and the Night Mail returned on 9 April 2026, and the Yal Devi came back on 11 May 2026 on a limited schedule.
The journey from Colombo takes around seven to eight hours. Reserved seats are sold on the official Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation site up to 30 days ahead, and you need each traveller’s passport number. If you’re already in the Cultural Triangle, join the train at Anuradhapura and cut the trip by several hours. Our train travel guide explains classes and booking.
By bus or car: the A9
The A9 runs 321 km from Kandy through Dambulla, the Anuradhapura area and Vavuniya, then crosses Elephant Pass, the narrow neck of land that joins the Jaffna peninsula to the mainland. Recent visitors (2025–26) report overnight buses from Colombo taking around seven hours. A car and driver is the most flexible option, and lets you stop on the way.
From Mannar, by the west coast road
If you’re coming from the north-west, the A32 crosses the lagoon on the Sangupiddy Bridge at Pooneryn and runs down the west coast to Mannar, the shortest road route between Jaffna and the south. Recent visitors report two to three hours by car between Jaffna and Mannar, with some rough stretches. Our northern Sri Lanka itinerary uses this road.
By air: flights from India
Jaffna International Airport is at Palaly, north of the town. IndiGo flies there from Chennai and, since March 2025, from Tiruchirappalli. There are no scheduled domestic flights from Colombo: in September 2026 the government said it was working to set them up.
By sea: the ferry from India
A passenger ferry from Nagapattinam in India to Kankesanthurai, just north of Jaffna, has run since 2024, with a crossing of about four hours. It has stopped for bad weather in the past, and the service has paused during the north-east monsoon, so check the current status with the operator before you plan around it.
Which to choose
- From Colombo or Anuradhapura: the train, with a reserved seat.
- Short of time: the overnight bus saves a day, at the cost of sleep.
- With luggage, family or several stops: a car and driver on the A9.
- From India: a flight to Palaly, or the ferry when it’s running.
- On a loop of the north: arrive by train, leave by road via Mannar.
Before you go
Foreign visitors haven’t needed Ministry of Defence permission to travel to the north since January 2015, but you’ll still see army camps and checkpoints: follow instructions and don’t photograph military sites. Jaffna has a dry season from February to August, with most rain in October, November and December. Plan at least two or three nights there; it’s a long way to go for one.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How long is the train from Colombo to Jaffna?
Around seven to eight hours on the Northern Line from Colombo Fort.
Is the train to Jaffna running?
Yes. After repairs following Cyclone Ditwah, the Jaffna Intercity and the Night Mail returned on 9 April 2026, and the Yal Devi on 11 May 2026 on a limited schedule.
Can I fly from Colombo to Jaffna?
Not on a scheduled flight at present. In September 2026 the government said it was working to set up scheduled flights from Colombo. IndiGo flies to Jaffna from Chennai and Tiruchirappalli in India.
Is there a bus from Colombo to Jaffna?
Yes. Recent visitors report overnight buses taking around seven hours on the A9.
Do I need a permit to visit Jaffna?
No. The permission rule for foreign visitors to the north was dropped in January 2015.
Header photo: Thamizhpparithi Maari / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
