How to Get from Sigiriya to Kandy: All Options

Are you looking for the best ways to get from Sigiriya to Kandy, Sri Lanka? Kandy is an unmissable destination on any trip to Sri Lanka, so don’t miss it!

There is no direct bus or train service between Sigiriya and Kandy. However, you can easily get to Kandy by minivan, private transfer, taxi, or tuk-tuk.

In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get to Kandy, including the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and the cost of a taxi or bus ticket.

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Sigiriya to Kandy Distance

The distance between the two cities is about 90 km, which is 2.5-6 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

There are three ways to get to Kandy from Sigiriya: by bus (3 hours), by taxi (2.5-3 hours), and by tuk-tuk (4-6 hours).

Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or bus ticket will cost.

Read our → Kandy Guide

Sigiriya to Kandy by Tuk Tuk

As there are no direct buses or trains from Sigiriya, one of the most exciting and best ways to get to Kandy is to rent a tuk tuk and drive there yourself. We traveled to Kandy by tuk-tuk and enjoyed the journey.

Travel time by tuk tuk is approximately 4-6 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.

Recommended post → Tuk Tuk Rental & Driving Tips

TIP
If you have enough time, we recommend visiting Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple or Dambulla Cave Temple on the way.

Sigiriya to Kandy by Taxi, Private Transfer

The most comfortable and fastest way to get to Kandy is by taxi.

A taxi from Sigiriya to Kandy costs between 35-65 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable.

The journey time is 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.

TIP
The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!

Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to Kandy starting from 45,50 USD for 2 people.

Bus from Sigiriya to Kandy

The cheapest way to get from Sigiriya to Kandy is by public bus, but there is no direct bus connection. First, you have to travel from Sigiriya to Dambulla and from there to Kandy.

The distance between Dambulla and Sigiriya is 16 km, and the travel time is approximately 30 minutes. You can get to Dambulla by tuk-tuk driver for 2000 LKR (7 USD) or by local bus for 100 LKR (0,35 USD).

From Dambulla, take bus No 41 or 45 to Kandy. The journey takes around 2.5-3 hours, and the bus fare costs 0,70 USD.

Air-conditioned bus tickets start from 1,50 USD but run infrequently. Buses arrive at Kandy Central Bus Station (Goods Shed).

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.

Sigiriya to Kandy Bus Timetable

The first bus departs at 6 AM and runs every 30-45 minutes. We have not found a reliable bus timetable! Therefore, we recommend you book a private transfer or shared minivan online instead of the bus or ask the locals for the current bus schedule.

Sigiriya to Kandy by Train

There is no train connection between Sigiriya and Kandy. If you want to travel by train, you can catch the train from Habarana to Polgahawela station and then change to the train to Kandy.

However, trains currently only run four times a day to Polgahawela, at 04:37 AM, 09:41 AM, 03:26 PM, and 09:29 PM. The journey takes at least 3-3.5 hours, so this option is not recommended.

There are frequent trains from Polgahawela to Kandy, and the journey takes about 1.5-2 hours.

The total travel time is 4.5-6 hours, and second-class train tickets (including the connecting train) start from 2,75 USD.

Kandy by Minivan

One of the best ways to get to Kandy is by air-conditioned minivan. The journey time takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic and number of passengers. A shuttle minivan to Kandy (any hotel) starts from 20 USD.

Get Minivan Tickets through 12Go or Bookaway.

Where to Stay in Kandy

Kandy has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Kandy

Luxury: Earl’s Regency Hotel
Mid-Range: Earl’s Regent Hotel
Budget: Queen’s Hotel

more hotels in Kandy

We stayed at the Theva Residency for 2 nights, and it was a good base for exploring the Kandy attractions.

More Travel Guides about Sri Lanka

We hope our post on how to get from Sigiriya to Kandy will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

How to Get from Sigiriya to Kandy: All Options