How to get from Colombo to Sigiriya
What are the 5 ways to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya?
There are 5 ways to travel the 175 kilometre (109 miles) distance from Colombo to Sigiriya. You can choose between the bus, minivan, taxi, train and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 440 LKR ($1.40).
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 Station 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 LKR ($1.40).
Ordinary buses are also available, but we don’t recommend them if you want to be comfortable during a journey of 5 hours 30 minutes.
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 the train that departs at 15:00 and arrives at 19:45 at Habarana Railway Station.
Sri Lanka Railways offers trips daily for 3,270 LKR ($10.50) for a 2nd class seat and 3,810 LKR ($12.20) for a 1st class seat. Both cabins are airconditioned for this route.
Online tickets from Colombo to Habarana are also available on 12GoAsia and BookAway. You can check the schedule below.
Warning for unreserved seats
Unreserved seats are 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 a journey of 3h 35m - 5h 50m
See our page on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka for more info on how 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 25 minutes and a ride costs around 1,090 LKR ($3.50).
Colombo to Sigiriya by Minivan
If you’re coming from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, you can take a minivan to Sigiriya. The ride costs around 6,900 LKR ($22.50) and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
There are two companies operating on this route: Real Lanka Holidays and Magical Sri Lanka.
What we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
Minivan options from Colombo to Sigiriya
Colombo to Sigiriya by Taxi
The taxi from Colombo to Sigiriya costs around 11,000 LKR ($35.50) 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.
Better yet, book your private transfer in advance via BookAway. Rates start from 19,000 LKR ($61) for a 3-seater car.
Taxi options from Colombo to Sigiriya
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 LKR ($5.80).
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 offer one trip from Colombo to Sigiriya daily. Fares start at 31,000 LKR ($100), and the journey takes 30 minutes.
From the airport, you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk to the ancient town for 180 LKR ($0.60) – 540 LKR ($1.70).
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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Colombo to Sigiriya
What is the distance from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The distance from Colombo to Sigiriya is 175 kilometre (109 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is by flight and takes 1 hour 30 minutes.
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 LKR ($1.40).
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.
