Colombo Airport to Sigiriya

Sigiriya, the rock fortress in the dry zone at the centre of the island, is 147 km from the airport by Google’s route, about three and a quarter hours by car.

• 147 km by road from the airport
• about 3 h 15 min driving time (Google)
• from $52.90 one way, City car
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

Fares to Sigiriya

The starting price covers the first 100 km; the other 47 km are charged at the vehicle’s rate per km.

VehicleSeatsBagsOne wayReturn

City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar2 seats2 bags$52.90one way$105.80 returnBook Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar3 seats5 bags$58.23one way$116.46 returnBook Economy carToyota Prius or similar3 seats3 bags$62.55one way$125.10 returnBook Standard carToyota Premio or similar3 seats3 bags$68.48one way$136.96 returnBook SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar4 seats6 bags$69.88one way$139.76 returnBook Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar4 seats6 bags$145.80one way$291.60 returnBook Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar6 seats10 bags$76.85one way$153.70 returnBook Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar14 seats14 bags$91.50one way$183.00 returnBook 20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar20 seats20 bags$117.20one way$234.40 returnBook 37-seat coach37 seats37 bags$135.10one way$270.20 returnBook 45-seat coach45 seats45 bags$168.35one way$336.70 returnBook 51-seat coach51 seats51 bags$197.65one way$395.30 returnBook

Fares to Sigiriya village, 146.5 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 route takes the Central Expressway (E04) to Kurunegala, then the A6 north-east through Ibbagamuwa, Galewela and Dambulla. The country flattens and dries out as you go: paddy fields, reservoirs and scrub forest. At Dambulla the cave temple, five painted caves in a rock above the road, is about 20 km short of Sigiriya.

Arriving in Sigiriya

Sigiriya is a village rather than a town, with hotels spread among the fields and forest around the rock; others are near Dambulla or Habarana. The rock was the palace of King Kashyapa in the 5th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The climb is easiest early in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.

From here, Kandy is about 90 km to the south and Trincomalee a little over 100 km to the north-east; both rides can be booked hotel to hotel.

Other routes from the airport