Colombo, the bustling capital of Sri Lanka, faces significant traffic challenges with a heavy reliance on cars and buses. Efforts to improve public transportation and reduce CO2 emissions are crucial as the city navigates its traffic complexities.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 25.5 minutes of driving and 15.77 minutes on a bus, covering a distance of 24.07 km.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 55 minutes traveling, with significant waiting times of 8.14 minutes.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of 56.4 minutes, with minimal walking involved.
  • Train - Train journeys take approximately 66.25 minutes, with additional waiting and walking times.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 25.33 minutes, often supplemented by short driving segments.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
45%
Bus
28%
Walking
8%
Bicycle
6%
Train
5%
Motorcycle
5%
Home
3%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the monsoon season due to adverse weather conditions. Holiday seasons see a rise in traffic as people travel for celebrations and family gatherings.

Commuter Pain Points

Long waiting times for buses and trains contribute to commuter frustration. Traffic congestion during peak hours leads to extended travel times.

Best Travel Times

Traveling early in the morning or late in the evening can help avoid peak traffic congestion. Midday travel is generally smoother with less congestion.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals often lead to road closures and increased traffic in central Colombo. Planning travel around major events can help avoid significant delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Colombo is investing in green public transport options to reduce its carbon footprint. Initiatives to promote cycling and walking are being introduced to encourage sustainable commuting.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering flexible commuting options and reducing the need for personal vehicles. These services help decrease traffic congestion by optimizing vehicle usage.

Worldwide
Sri Lanka

Traffic Rankings

Colombo ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in Sri Lanka. The Traffic Index for Sri Lanka combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Sri Lanka, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 80 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
15.0 miles
Walking
3.9 mins
Waiting
2.8 mins
Driving Car
25.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
15.8 mins
Bicycle
3.2 mins
Motorcycle
2.2 mins
Train
3.6 mins
Other
3.0 mins
Total:
60.0 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
11.6 miles
Walking
5.1 mins
Waiting
8.1 mins
Bus / Trolley
55.0 mins
Train
0.7 mins
Total:
68.9 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
18.5 miles
Walking
0.2 mins
Driving Car
56.4 mins
Total:
56.6 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
34.0 miles
Walking
8.3 mins
Waiting
10.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
5.0 mins
Train
66.3 mins
Other
4.5 mins
Total:
94.0 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.2 miles
Walking
25.3 mins
Driving Car
2.5 mins
Bicycle
1.8 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Other
5.7 mins
Total:
35.3 mins
Colombo Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Promoting alternative transportation methods such as cycling and walking could alleviate traffic congestion.

Investing in public transport infrastructure is essential to reduce reliance on cars and buses.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Colombo's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 7904, indicating significant environmental impact.

Efforts to reduce emissions are critical as the city continues to grow.

Time

The average time index of 60 suggests considerable delays in daily commutes.

Improving traffic flow could significantly reduce travel times.

Inefficiency

With an inefficiency index of 401, Colombo's traffic system faces challenges in optimal resource utilization.

Addressing inefficiencies could enhance commuter experiences and reduce delays.