Colombo Airport to Yala (Tissamaharama)

Tissamaharama, the town at the edge of Yala National Park where most safaris start, is 279 km from the airport by Google’s route. The Southern Expressway covers most of the way, and the drive takes about three and three quarter hours.

• 279 km by road from the airport
• about 3 h 45 min driving time (Google)
• from $162.10 one way, City car
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

Fares to Yala

From the 279 km, the first 50 are included in the starting price; the other 229 km are charged at the vehicle’s rate per km.

VehicleSeatsBagsOne wayReturn

City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar2 seats2 bags$162.10one way$324.20 returnBook Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar3 seats5 bags$165.10one way$330.20 returnBook Economy carToyota Prius or similar3 seats3 bags$178.53one way$357.06 returnBook Standard carToyota Premio or similar3 seats3 bags$194.95one way$389.90 returnBook SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar4 seats6 bags$206.38one way$412.76 returnBook Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar4 seats6 bags$439.61one way$879.22 returnBook Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar7 seats10 bags$217.80one way$435.60 returnBook Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar14 seats14 bags$262.08one way$524.16 returnBook 20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar20 seats20 bags$288.50one way$577.00 returnBook 37-seat coach37 seats37 bags$641.25one way$1,282.50 returnBook 45-seat coach45 seats45 bags$765.50one way$1,531.00 returnBook 51-seat coach51 seats51 bags$899.75one way$1,799.50 returnBook

Fares to the centre of Tissamaharama, 278.5 km by Google’s route, as the booking form works them out. Your hotel may be a little nearer or further: enter its address in the form for its own fare.

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The drive

The car follows the Southern Expressway for some 200 km, to its eastern end in Hambantota district. The last 30 km run on the old road east and through Weerawila, past the reservoirs and paddy fields of the dry south, into Tissamaharama.

Arriving in Tissamaharama

Tissa, as everyone calls it, lies beside Tissa Wewa, an ancient reservoir, under the white dome of its old stupa. Hotels are in the town, along the lake and on the road towards Kirinda and the park.

Yala is known for its leopards, as well as elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. Safari jeeps leave Tissa before dawn to be at the park gate at Palatupana when it opens at six. Kataragama, a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, is about 17 km north.

Landing at Mattala (HRI) instead of Colombo makes this a much shorter ride; the booking form gives fares from all three airports.

Other routes from the airport