Is the Southern Expressway toll expensive?

No, the toll on the Southern Expressway in Sri Lanka is incredibly cheap by international standards, usually coming in around 400 to 1,200 LKR (about $1.30 to $4.00 USD) depending on how far you go. You pay it in cash at the exit booth, so yes, bring cash.

The expressway (E01) cuts down the travel time a lot, and it takes what used to be a gruelling, five-hour coastal drive from Colombo to Galle and turns it into a smooth 90-minute trip. The extra toll amount is heavily outweighed by what you save on fuel, plus the steadier ride from avoiding those congested local roads. Make sure you have small-denomination Sri Lankan rupee notes ready, because foreign currency and credit cards are not accepted at the toll gates.