By train to Galle or further from Colombo

 

By train to Galle or further from Colombo

This railway track goes along the coast; therefore it is called coastal line. This line is running between Colombo and Beliatta via Galle. Main tourist beaches along this railway line are Kalutara, Bentota, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Koggala, (between Koggala and Midigama you’ll be able to see stilt fishermen) Ahangama, Weligama and Mirissa. Main towns along this railway line are Moratuwa, Panadura, Kalutara, Aluthgama, Ambalangoda, Galle and Matara. This line was extended to Beliatta in 2019 and earlier  it was up to Matara.

Coastal line trains begin at Maradana railway station which is one station north of Colombo Fort railway station. If you start your ride at Colombo Fort, after two stations you’ll be on the beach where you feel the breeze of the Indian Ocean. But this beach is not all the way a paradise. On both sides of this railway line there are so many small houses of poor fishermen and other poor people who do not own a land piece in this island or cannot afford to rent a shelter to live.  Some areas are fishy smelly due to the fishing activities.

The first tourist beach you’ll be able to see on this line is Mount Lavinia beach which is 12 km from Colombo. After this you’ll be passing the following beaches up to Mirissa - Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Induruwa, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Dodanduwa, Boossa, Galle, Unawatuna, Habaraduwa, Koggala, Midigama, Ahangama, Weligama, Mirissa.

When you are an enthusiast of fortresses this railway brings you to the closest place to see a beautiful and well maintained famous Dutch colonial fortress in Galle, Sri Lanka. Not only this, when you travel another 40 km to the south you’ll be able to see another two Dutch fortresses in Matara, one of them built as star shaped.