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Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress rising straight out of the jungle. A king built his palace on the summit. You can still climb the steps to the top for views across the plains. It lies 150 kilometres (93 miles) northeast of Colombo. Flying is the quickest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya, taking 1h 50m. Overland, the bus is the cheapest option at $3.90 (1,320 LKR).
Distance from Colombo to Sigiriya
Colombo and Sigiriya are about 150 km (93 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 167 km by road. The quickest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h 50m.
5 ways to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya
There are five ways to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya. You can choose between the bus, train, minivan, taxi, and flight. The journey takes 1h 50m–5h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $3.90 (1,320 LKR).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Colombo→Bandaranaike Airport1h
- Bandaranaike Airport→Sigiriya30m
- Sigiriya Airport to Sigiriya town centre20m
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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 $3.90 (1,320 LKR).
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 $4.80 (1,600 LKR) for a 3rd-class reserved seat and $9.90 (3,330 LKR) 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.
Step tickets are available on Bookaway.
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 $31 (10,000 LKR) 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
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
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 $54 (18,000 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $15 (4,910 LKR) 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 $59 (20,000 LKR) 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 $140 (47,000 LKR).
Flights depart from Bandaranaike International Airport, just outside the city of Negombo.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
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 $5.40 (1,800 LKR).
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
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Colombo to Sigiriya, roughly 150 kilometres (93 miles) apart. In all, there are 5 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $3.90 (1,320 LKR). The quickest trip takes 1h 50m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The distance from Colombo to Sigiriya is 150 kilometres (93 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is by flight and takes 1h 50m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya?
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is by bus with ticket costs starting from 1,320 LKR.
About the Authors
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.
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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