How to take the train from Colombo to Jaffna?

Take the express intercity services, like the Yal Devi or Uttara Devi, that run every day from Colombo Fort Station. The honestly beautiful ride across the northern peninsula takes around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the train category and the condition of the tracks.

It is really worth pre-booking a first-class air-conditioned seat or a second-class reserved seat, so you can remain comfortable throughout the whole long trip. Along the way, the line passes the well-known Elephant Pass causeway, and you get these rare panoramic views over the northern lagoon system.