Gone are the days of queuing at bus stations. Sri Lanka now has multiple online platforms for booking bus tickets in advance. Here's your complete guide to booking buses online—from SLTB government services to private luxury coaches.
Online Bus Booking Platforms
SLTB eSeat (sltb.eseat.lk)
Official SLTB government bus booking platform
- Sri Lanka's largest bus booking platform
- Real-time seat reservation
- Normal, Luxury, and Super Luxury buses
- Book up to 30 days in advance
Website: sltb.eseat.lk or 1315.lk
Hotline: 1315
BusSeat.lk
Multi-operator booking platform
- 12+ bus operators in one place
- 100+ daily schedules
- 240+ locations covered
- iOS and Android apps available
Operators: Superline, New Way Express, Wijesuriya Highway Express, Suncity Express, etc.
Website: busseat.lk
Phone: (+94) 76 676 4848
Superline.lk
Premium long-distance buses
- Super Luxury 2x2 seating
- Colombo to Badulla, Trincomalee, Passara, Eastern region
- Night services (depart 10-11 PM)
- Fares: LKR 2,260 - 2,800
Website: superline.lk
Phone: +94 777 382 186
Magiya.lk
Modern booking app with GPS features
- Multiple operators: Pasindu Express, NCG Express, Dinisuru Super Line, Marina Express
- GPS-based location search
- Proximity filtering (find buses near you)
- 55,000+ happy customers
Website: magiya.lk
Hotline: +94 704 222 777
Other Booking Options
Popular Routes And Online Fares
How To Book Step By Step
Step 1: Select departure and arrival locations
Step 2: Choose travel date (up to 30 days ahead)
Step 3: Select bus type (Normal, Luxury, Super Luxury)
Step 4: Pick your seat from the seat map
Step 5: Enter passenger details (name, phone, NIC/passport)
Step 6: Pay online (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, LankaQR)
Step 7: Receive e-ticket via email/SMS — show at boarding
Accepted Payment Methods
Booking Tips
- Book 1-2 days ahead for popular routes like Colombo-Jaffna
- Night buses are popular — book early for window seats
- Check multiple platforms — prices and availability vary
- Screenshot your e-ticket in case of network issues
- Arrive 15-20 mins early at boarding point
- Luxury buses worth it for journeys over 5 hours
Where To Check Schedules
ntc.gov.lk — Official NTC inter-provincial timetables
nextbus.lk — 400+ verified routes with real-time updates
tsa.cp.gov.lk — Central Province (Kandy area) bus routes
sprpta.lk — Southern Province bus information
Conclusion
Online bus booking has transformed travel in Sri Lanka. No more arriving at stations hoping for a seat—now you can book guaranteed seats on luxury buses from your phone. For long-distance overnight journeys, platforms like Superline and BusSeat.lk offer comfortable Super Luxury coaches at reasonable prices. Check multiple platforms for the best deals, and book 1-2 days ahead for popular routes.
