How to Get From Colombo to Sigiriya
Bus · Train · Minivan · Taxi · Flight
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 175 kilometre (109 miles) distance from Colombo to Sigiriya. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Sigiriya as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 5 ways to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya?
There are five ways to travel the 175 km distance from Colombo to Sigiriya. You can choose between the bus, train, minivan, taxi, and flight.
The journey takes between 1h 50m–5h 30m and the quickest way is by flight (1h 50m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 1,320 LKR ($4.10).
5.5 hours
1,320 LKR ($4.10)
4h 50m
4,020 LKR ($13)
3h 30m - 4h 20m
9,900 LKR ($31)
2h 30m - 4h 20m
18,000 LKR ($57)
1h 50m
45,000 LKR ($140)
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, about 10 km away from Sigiriya.
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 1,320 LKR ($4.10).
Ordinary buses are also available, but we don’t recommend them if you want to be comfortable during a journey of 5.5 hours.
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
Step 1: Colombo to Habarana by Train
Sri Lanka Railways runs daily trips on this route, with fares starting at 1,520 LKR ($4.80) for a 3rd-class reserved seat and 3,170 LKR ($9.90) for a 1st-class seat.
Trains depart from Colombo Fort Railway Station and arrive at Habarana Railway Station.
Warning for unreserved seats
You can buy unreserved tickets on the day of travel at the station. But since there are only a limited number of trips on this route, trains fill up quickly. There’s a good chance you won’t get a seat and may have to stand for the full journey of 4h 25m.
Ready to book your step?
Booking Tip
Step 2: Habarana Railway Station to Sigiriya
Booking Tip
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.
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 9,900 LKR ($31) and takes about 3h 30m - 4h 20m, 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 schedule from Colombo to Sigiriya
Colombo to Sigiriya by Taxi
A private transfer from Colombo to Sigiriya is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2h 30m - 4h 20m, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Uber is usually the most budget-friendly option for this route, with prices starting at 18,000 LKR ($57) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 4,680 LKR ($15) each. You can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo to compare rates.
If you prefer booking in advance, platforms like BookAway or 12GoAsia are great choices. They’re very reliable but come with a higher price tag, starting at 19,000 LKR ($59) for a car that can fit 3 people.
Colombo to Sigiriya by Flight
A flight from Colombo to Sigiriya takes around 1h 50m, including the time needed to get to and from the airports in both cities. The main downside is the price, with fares starting from 45,000 LKR ($140).
Flights depart from Bandaranaike International Airport, just outside the city of Negombo.
Step 1: Colombo to Bandaranaike Airport
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 ($5.60).
You can hail a taxi on the street or book one through apps like Uber, Pickme, and TaxiGo. Private cars are also available on BookAway if you prefer to arrange your ride in advance.
Step 2: Bandaranaike Airport to Sigiriya
Step 3: Sigiriya Airport to Sigiriya town centre
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
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
The distance from Colombo to Sigiriya is 175 km.
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Founder & Trip Planning Expert
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.
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