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Major city · Sri Lanka

Gampaha

Spend a half‑day in Gampaha to see the botanical garden and historic temples; add a night only if you need a quiet base before Colombo.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Gampaha sits 25 km north of Colombo and offers a compact set of sights – a large botanical garden, several old temples and a historic train station. The town is easy to reach by train or bus, so a few hours suffice for the main attractions; most travellers stay in Colombo and visit Gampaha as a day‑trip.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
LKR
Best months
Dec–Mar
avoid May–Oct (south‑west monsoon)
Airport
CMB
Nights
1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Gampaha: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 5
  • South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
  • South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
  • Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
  • Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
  • Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gampaha119 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Gampaha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Gampaha Botanical GardenAttanagalla TempleMaligakanda TemplePilikuttuwa mountain monasteryNissarana Vanaya forest‑tradition monasteryTe‑watta Church
Airports
CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (≈35 km (22 mi) north, 45‑min taxi to Gampaha)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F) low), wettest Jun (20 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Gampaha: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

31°C (88°F)

22°C (72°F)

6 rd

Feb

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

5 rd

Mar

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

8 rd

Apr

32°C (90°F)

25°C (77°F)

14 rd

May

31°C (88°F)

26°C (79°F)

19 rd

Jun

30°C (86°F)

26°C (79°F)

20 rd

Jul

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

17 rd

Aug

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

15 rd

Sep

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

16 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

20 rd

Nov

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

17 rd

Dec

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

10 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Local buses and tuk‑tuks connect the town centre, botanical garden and temples; the railway station provides regular service to Colombo (≈30 min).

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Colombo

go

Door to door: ≈45 min total

Train from Gampaha station, about 30 min, or bus 45 min

Capital city offers markets, museums and nightlife; easy return for evening.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Guesthouses near Gampaha Railway Station

Basic rooms, easy access to sights; book in advance during peak season (check).

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
LKR 1,200–2,000 excl. bed
Mid
LKR 2,000–3,500 excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency

Prices of common things

Meal (rice & curry)LKR 150–300
Bus ride (local)LKR 20–40
Train ticket Colombo–GampahaLKR 70–120

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Gampaha is a low-crime town; the real risks are road traffic, unlit rural lanes after dark and monsoon downpours. Use metered tuk-tuks or agree the fare first, and keep valuables out of sight on crowded Colombo trains.
  • Road traffic can be heavy during rush hour; allow extra travel time.
  • Some temple entry times vary; check opening hours before visiting.

Emergency numbers

Police
119
Ambulance (Suwa Seriya)
1990
Fire
110

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

GampahaGampaha

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

මෙහි ලිපිනයට කරුණාකරTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police119
  • Ambulance1990
  • Fire110

Embassy

US consulate is in Colombo; other embassies also in Colombo.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Train Colombo–Gampaha: about LKR 80, 30 min (check)
  • Taxi Colombo Airport → Gampaha: LKR 3,000–4,000, 45 min

Say or show

  • සමාවන්න — Excuse me / Sorry (samāvanna)
  • ස්තුතියි — Thank you (sthuthiyi)
  • කියන්න කොපමණද? — How much? (kiyanna kopamanada?)
  • බස් නතරය කොහේද? — Where is the bus stop? (bas natharay koheda?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gampaha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Mar · avoid May–Oct (south‑west monsoon) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 2 bands
  5. 1 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Sri Lanka

Sources

Ask about Gampaha

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