Best Ways: How to Get from Colombo to Sigiriya
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Colombo to Sigiriya? Sigiriya is one of the best places to visit, so be sure to add it to your Sri Lanka Itinerary.
Getting to Sigiriya may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are a few ways to get there. You can easily get to Sigiriya from Colombo by rented tuk tuk, plane, bus, train, or taxi.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Colombo to Sigiriya, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.
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How far is Sigiriya from Colombo?
The distance between Colombo and Sigiriya is about 175 km, which is 4-6 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
How to Get from Colombo to Sigiriya
There are several ways to get to Sigiriya from Colombo: by flight (30 minutes), by bus (5-6 hours), by taxi (4 hours), and by tuk tuk (4-5 hours).
Book a day trip from Colombo to Sigiriya and Dambulla via GetYourGuide.
Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a train or plane ticket will cost.
We traveled to Sigiriya by rented tuk tuk and enjoyed the journey.
Read our → Sigiriya Guide
Getting to Sigiriya by tuk tuk
Although there are several ways to get to Sigiriya, you will need a mode of transport on arrival to discover the best attractions of Sigiriya.
Therefore, one of the most exciting and best ways to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is to rent a tuk tuk and drive there yourself.
The journey time by tuk tuk is approximately 4-5 hours. We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.
Save money, use our coupon code dittusandmate and get a 5% discount on tuktukrental.com.
Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka
Getting to Sigiriya by flight
The fastest and most expensive way to get to Sigiriya is by plane.
The distance between Colombo Airport and the city center is 30 km, and the travel time is approximately 1 hour. Taxi fares range between 15 USD and 30 USD, so we recommend you try to negotiate.
Sigiriya has a domestic airport (airport code GIU). From Colombo, you can fly to Sigiriya from Bandaranaike International Airport (airport code CMB).
The flight takes just 30 minutes, and plane tickets start from 200 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
How to Get from Colombo to Sigiriya by train
There is no direct train connection between Colombo and Sigiriya, so we don’t recommend traveling by train. However, if you want to travel by train, you must first take a train from Colombo Fort to Habarana. After that, from Habarana station, you can get to Sigiriya by taxi or tuk tuk.
Book your minivan to Colombo Fort.
The distance between Habarana and Sigiriya is approximately 20-35 minutes.
As the train is one of the most popular and cheapest modes of transport in Sri Lanka, the tickets sell out quickly! Therefore, we recommend buying them days in advance (especially in high season).
There are only 3 trains a day from Colombo Fort station to Habarana, and the journey takes at least 4-6 hours!
First class seats start from 10 USD, and second class seats from 6 USD.
How to Get from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya by taxi
One of the most comfortable and easiest ways to reach Sigiriya is by taxi.
A taxi cost from Colombo International Airport to Sigiriya starts from 75 USD. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable! The journey time is 4 hours, depending on traffic.
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer starting from 66 USD, and 5 pax are allowed.
Getting to Sigiriya by Uber
Uber is available at Colombo Airport. Therefore, another great way to get to Sigiriya is to catch an Uber.
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You can check fares on the PickMe, Uber, and TaxiGo.
How to Get From Colombo to Sigiriya by bus
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Sigiria is by local bus. But there are no direct bus connections between Colombo and Sigiriya.
There are three buses from Colombo’s Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal towards Sigiriya. The No. 15 bus to Anuradhapura, the No. 48 bus to Kaduruwela (Polonnaruwa), and the No. 49 bus to Trincomalee. Then, you will have to get off at Dambulla or Habarana, and from there, you can take a taxi or tuk tuk to Sigiriya.
The bus tickets start at around 200 LKR (0,65 USD), and the journey takes 5-6 hours, depending on traffic.
Take care of your valuables, as minor thefts or pickpockets may occur on public transport!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Where to Stay in Sigiriya
Most people only take a day trip from Kandy or Colombo to Sigiriya, but if you can, spend a few days there. We suggest booking accommodation with a private pool. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- Luxury: Water Garden Sigiriya
- Mid-Range: Hotel Sigiriya or Sigiriya Village
- Budget: The Nature Park Villa
More Travel Guides about Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Itinerary for 14 Days
- 7 Best Things to Do in Sigiriya
- The Ultimate Guide: Kandy to Ella Train
- 9 Best Things to Do in Ella
- 7 Epic Things to Do in Kandy
- Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka
- 9 Best Things to Do in Mirissa
We hope our post on how to get from Colombo to Sigiriya will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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