4 ways to get from Colombo to Sigiriya
There are four ways to travel the distance of 175 km (109 miles) from Colombo to Sigiriya: by bus (5.5 hours), taxi (4 hours), train (1h5m) and flight (1h30m). The journey takes between 1h05m - 5h30m and the quickest way is by train. The lowest priced tickets start from 440 Rs ($1.30) for the bus.Colombo to Sigiriya by Bus
There are no local buses that go straight from Colombo to Sigiriya. The nearest bus stop is in Inamaluwa Junction, which is some 10 km away.
From Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal in Colombo city centre, you can take a bus bound for Anuradhapura (#4-3), Kaduruwela (#48-3) or Trincomalee (#49). A ticket for an air-conditioned bus costs around 440 Rs ($1.30).
Ordinary buses are also available, but we don’t recommend them if you want to be comfortable during the 5.5-hour journey.
Ask the driver to drop you off at Inamaluwa Junction. From here, you can take either a tuk-tuk or a taxi to Sigiriya.
Colombo to Sigiriya by Train
Sigiriya doesn’t have its own train station. From Colombo, you will first have to take a train to Habarana. From here, you can hail a taxi to Sigiriya.
Step 1: Colombo to Habarana by Train
We recommend taking train #7075 from the Fort Railway Station. This departs at 15:05 and arrives at 18:42 at Habarana Railway Station.
Sri Lanka Railways offers trips daily for 3,270 Rs ($10.00) for a 2nd class seat and 3,810 Rs ($11.50) for a 1st class seat. Both cabins are airconditioned for this route.
Online tickets from Colombo to Habarana are only available on 12GoAsia. Just click the link below.
Warning for unreserved seats
Unreserved seats are also available on the day of your trip at the railway station. However, since there are only limited trips for this route, there’s a great chance the trains will be quite crowded. Be aware that you might miss your chance to get a seat and have to stand throughout the 3.5-hour journey.
See our page on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka to secure a seat from Colombo to Sigiriya.
Step 2: Habarana Railway Station to Sigiriya
From Habarana Railway Station, you can easily hail a taxi to Sigiriya, which is about 15 km away. The journey takes 30 minutes and a ride costs around 1,090 Rs ($3.30).
Colombo to Sigiriya by Taxi
The taxi from Colombo to Sigiriya costs around 11,000 Rs ($34.00) when you book via Uber, but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on the availability. For the cheapest rates, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo. But, unfortunately, these apps have limited availability outside the capital city, Colombo.
PRO TIP: Use the code “hpam1ue” or this link to order your first ride with Uber for free!
On the off chance that none of the above options is available, you can also book a taxi via BookAway for 14,200 Rs ($43.50).
Colombo to Sigiriya by Flight
When flying from Colombo to Sigiriya, flights depart from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is located in the suburbs of Negombo.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Colombo to Bandaranaike Airport by Taxi
From Colombo city centre, the best way to get to Bandaranaike is by taxi. This taxi journey takes around an hour and costs 1,800 Rs ($5.50).
You can hail a taxi on the street or ask your hotel to book one for you. You can also book via taxi-hailing apps like Uber and Pickme, as well as TaxiGo and BookAway.
Step 2: Bandaranaike Airport to Sigiriya
Cinnamon Air and Sri Lanka Airlines offer four trips from Colombo to Sigiriya daily. Fares start at 36,120 Rs ($110.00) and the journey takes 30 minutes.
From the airport, you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk to the ancient town for 180 Rs ($0.50) – 540 Rs ($1.60).
Frequently Asked Questions about Colombo to Sigiriya
What is the distance from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The distance from Colombo to Sigiriya is 175 km (109 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is by train and takes 1h5m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is by bus with ticket costs starting from 440 Rs ($1.30).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Colombo to Sigiriya. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
