Taxi service by city

Sri Lanka's commercial capital and the start of most journeys on the island — business travel, the port, and the road south to the beaches.

Sri Lanka's main international gateway at Katunayake, about 33 km north of central Colombo.

The hill capital and home of the Temple of the Tooth. The climb from the coast is slow going — plan the time, not just the distance.

The Dutch fort, the ramparts and the southern beaches. The Southern Expressway makes this one of the quickest long runs on the island.

The closest beach town to the airport, which is why so many first and last nights are spent here.

Hill country, Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak. Reached by a long mountain road whichever way you come.

The rock fortress and the Cultural Triangle. Usually visited alongside Dambulla and Polonnaruwa.

Tea country at 1,900 m. Cool, green, and slower to reach than the map suggests.

The surf town on the south-west coast — reef breaks, turtles and a strip of beach bars, an hour and a half from the airport on the expressway.

Whale watching and the south coast beaches, just east of Galle.

River and beach resorts on the south-west coast, an easy run from Colombo on the expressway.

The ancient capital and sacred city — the northern point of the Cultural Triangle.

East coast beaches and one of the world’s finest natural harbours. Best weather when the west coast is wet.

The northern peninsula — its own cuisine, culture and pace. A long day’s drive from Colombo.

The cave temples, and the natural base for the Cultural Triangle.

Sri Lanka’s best-known national park, and the leopard safari most visitors come for. Reached from Ella or the south coast.

The east coast surf point. Season is May to September — the opposite of the west and south coasts.

The southern tip of the expressway and the gateway to the deep south.