Getting there

The seaside town of Galle is on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka, in the country's Southern Province.

Planes

Sri Lankan Airlines (www.srilankan.aero) is the only carrier flying to Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (www.airport.lk) direct from Sydney and select European destinations. One-stop operators include Emirates (www.emirates.com), Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) and Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com). Air Taxis (www.srilankan.lk), flying from the airport to Koggala, 12 kilometres south of Galle, skim hours off travel time.

Trains

The three-hour rail ride from Colombo’s Fort Station to Galle (www.railway.gov.lk) is a lesson in cultural immersion, both inside the carriages and out. Train travel certainly won’t break the bank – a one-way ticket costs around US$2 – so it’s understandably popular with the locals. Our tip? Travel light, snack up and arrive at the station early in order to secure a seat.

Automobiles

Sri Lanka’s roads are not for the faint-hearted, and there’s no reason to self-drive. Hayleys (www.hayleys.com) can arrange tours and transport around the country. Alternatively, ask your hotel to have a driver and car collect you from the airport; transfers to Galle by taxi usually take between three and four hours depending on the time of day.