Sigiriya is the most famous monument in Sri Lanka and a must-visit destination when travelling around the South Asian country. This ancient city is made up of awe-inspiring rock fortresses, breathtaking landscapes and stunning gardens, also known by many as the eighth wonder of the world. There are many locations to explore throughout and brilliant trekking trails for those who love being outdoors. It is an impressive city with an interesting story that you will be amazed by. Getting from Colombo to Sigiriya is made easy when you book your ticket online through 12Go.
HOW TO GET FROM COLOMBO TO SIGIRIYA
This blog post will assist you in booking your ticket online to get from Colombo to Sigiriya. I am going to delve into the details about each form of transport you can use to make the journey, as well as share additional details such as the times of travel, commute lengths and ticket prices. This will then help you in choosing the trip most suited to your preferred travel plans. By sharing all of this information with you, it will take away a lot of stress you may feel when planning a trip.
There are currently 5 ways that you can make the journey from Colombo to Sigiriya which include travelling by train, bus, taxi, van and plane. It can take between 2 hours and 30 minutes to 12 hours in travel time depending on which form of transport you choose, with ticket prices starting as low as $23, reaching as much as nearly $400. I will share with you the most affordable and quickest way that you can get from Colombo to Sigiriya, as well as other great key points you will want to know ahead of booking your ticket online and embarking upon the trip.
BEST WAY TO BOOK A TICKET ONLINE FROM COLOMBO TO SIGIRIYA
You may not have the time right now to read through this entire article, however, you are ready to start planning your trip from Colombo to Sigiriya and book your ticket online. First, you will want to save this blog for when you do have time, but the main bit of information you will need to know for this is to use the online booking platform 12Go. The is the most convenient and reliable site that you can book your ticket online through. You will be able to find out all of the information you will need to know, and be able to compare each journey and route.
Although, if you are interested in finding out all of these details without having to do the research yourself, plus learning when is the best time to visit Sigiriya, how long you should spend there and must-do activities that you will want to check out, then I suggest you keep reading.
| Flight Colombo Airport - Sigiriya $ 199 45m | |
|
| Train Colombo - Kekirawa $ 5.89–22.06 3h 1m – 4h 56m | |
|
| Train Colombo - Habarana $ 5.89–22.06 3h 37m – 5h 52m | |
|
|
| Taxi Colombo - Habarana $ 68.20–315.98 2h 35m – 4h 8m | |
|
|
| Bus Colombo - Habarana $ 21.25 4h 30m | |
|
| Taxi Colombo - Sigiriya $ 66–152.90 2h 30m – 4h 20m | |
|
| Van Colombo - Kandy $ 96 12h | |
|
5 OPTIONS OF TRAVEL TO GET FROM COLOMBO TO SIGIRIYA
These are the current travel options available for you to get from Colombo to Sigiriya…
Option 1 – Train
To travel from Colombo to Sigiriya by train, you will depart directly from Colombo Fort and arrive at a couple of locations situated just outside of Sigiriya, where you will then need to book a taxi to travel to the city. There are approximately 6 different train times to choose from, which are all operated by Sri Lanka Railways. The earliest option departs at 6.45am, with the latest being at 9.30pm. This is one of the most affordable ways that you can travel from Colombo to Sigiriya with ticket prices starting at $23 and reaching $33 per person.
Arrival stations nearby to Sigiriya include Kekirawa or Habanara, with taxis to the city then taking between 20 minutes and 36 minutes, costing from $2 to $7. When booking a train online from Colombo to Sigiriya there are some options to book 1st or 2nd class tickets. Book your train ticket online now with 12Go.
Option 2 – Bus
There is one bus running per day that will take you from Colombo to Sigiriya. This is operated by the travel company Al Rashith Travels and is one of the cheapest ways that you can make the journey. The bus departs from Colombo Express Bus Stop at 7.30pm and arrives into Habarana Bus Stop at midnight, after a 4 hour and 30 minute commute. Once you have arrived in Habarana you will then need to get a taxi to reach Sigiriya which takes 20 minutes and costs around $4. To book your bus ticket online from Colombo to Sigiriya, head over to 12Go.
Option 3 – Taxi
If you want to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya by taxi you have a handful of options to choose from operated by a few different travel companies which are Ceylon Roots, Stef Lanka Tours, Real Lanka Holidays and Lakpura. Real Lanka Tours, Stef Lanka Tours and Lakpura travel directly from Colombo to Sigiriya, with Stef Lanka Tours and one of the Ceylon Root options travelling to Habarana. Commute times can take between 2 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and 20 minutes, with the cost being from $86 to $476 depending on the capacity of people and arrival destination.
When travelling by taxi from Colombo to Sigiriya you can choose the departure time from your chosen location, as well as choosing your arrival location in either Sigiriya or Habanara, making it a great way to travel from door to door. Taxis can fit a capacity of 2 to 9 people per vehicle. For taxis arriving into Habarana, you will then need to take a taxi to reach Sigiriya which takes 20 minutes in travel time, costing approximately $4. Book your taxi online now with 12Go.
Option 4 – Van
Travelling from Colombo to Sigiriya by van is part of a safari drive tour which has a final destination of Kandy, however, it will be possible to get off the shuttle in Sigiriya. There is one van running per day operated by the travel company of Tuktukdude Leisure. The van will depart at approximately 5am in Colombo from the hotel of your choice and will then follow a set itinerary. You will arrive at Sigiriya 10am where you can then take part in the planned out activities or depart from the tour.
Whether you do the full tour or just the commute to Sigiriya you will be charged $144 per person. This cost includes a breakfast, temple and village visit, lunch, boat ride and the option of carrying on to Kandy, making it a fun experience to enjoy. If you want to find out more and book your ticket online, check out all of the details on 12Go.
Option 5 – Flight
It is possible to take a flight from Colombo to Sigiriya, however, this is the most expensive form of transport to use. Flights take 30 minutes in commute time, departing from CMB Colombo Bandaranayake and arriving into GIU Sigiriya, which is then a 12 minute taxi ride away from the city centre. Tickets for this form of transport can cost around $250 per person for a direct flight. When flying without a direct flight, some journeys can take up to 25 hours due the layover time in other destinations.
Personally, even though this is the fastest way to make the commute, it is more hassle with airport check in and waiting times, as well as being very expensive which can cut into your travel budget and take away from your experiences in Sigiriya.
KEY POINTS
Here are some great bursts of information good to know before booking your ticket online and making the commute from Colombo to Sigiriya…
Most affordable way you can get from Colombo to Sigiriya
The cheapest way to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya is by train or bus. When travelling by train you will then need to take a taxi from your arrival station to Sigiriya, although, this will make the ticket pricing become on an even level of travelling by bus. The most affordable train ticket is $23, with the cheapest bus ticket being $25. You can book either of these online through 12Go.
Quickest way you can get from Colombo to Sigiriya
The quickest way, and one that I recommend, for you to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya is with the direct taxi operated by Lakpura which can host up to 3 people. When taking this form of transport you will be able to go from door to door for locations of your choice.
Arrival and check in times for each form of transport
When travelling by train, taxi or van from Colombo to Sigiriya they do not state a time of check in, however to avoid missing your pre-booked form of transport, arriving at your departure station approximately 30 minutes before you are due to leave is always a great idea.
When travelling by bus from Colombo to Sigiriya, you will need to check in 30 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket. To avoid any queues, I would suggest arriving 45 minutes before your travel time.
When travelling by plane from Colombo to Sigiriya, you must check in 90 minutes before the departure time which you have pre-booked. Arriving slightly before this to avoid any queues and missing check in would be a good idea.
Luggage allowance for each form of transport
There is no luggage allowance stated when travelling from Colombo to Sigiriya by train, taxi or van. However, I would suggest packing only the essentials you need as it isn’t always guaranteed that there will be enough space for large items of luggage.
If you have booked a ticket online to travel from Colombo to Sigiriya by bus, each passenger is allowed to take 15 kg of luggage with them for the trip.
You are allowed to take on a flight from Colombo to Sigiriya 1 piece of hand luggage which is included in your ticket. To take additional luggage this will be an extra charge and can be purchased when booking your ticket online.
Additional information when travelling by van
If there are less than two people booked onto the travel option to get from Colombo to Sigiriya it can be cancelled.
HOW TO BOOK A TICKET ONLINE FROM COLOMBO TO SIGIRIYA
The most convenient way for you to book your ticket online to get from Colombo to Sigiriya is through 12Go. This is a brilliant online booking platform that hosts all of the information you will need to know ahead of purchasing your ticket and travelling from Colombo to Sigiriya. You will be able to compare all of the forms of transport which are available, times of travel, commute lengths and ticket prices. It will assist you in finding the best journey to suit your preferred travel plans.
Once you have booked your ticket online, you will also have a reliable form of contact should you need to change anything around your trip, or if anything changes with the one you have pre
HOW TO GET TO YOUR DEPARTURE STATION IN COLOMBO
Before you take your pre-booked journey from Colombo to Sigiriya, you will first need to get to your departure station ahead of travelling. Colombo is well known for being somewhere that you can get around by foot, although this may not suit you depending on where you are leaving from and how much luggage you have with you. Forms of transport that you can use to get around the capital of Sri Lanka are the public bus system which is a very affordable way to commute, an authentic tuk-tuk which makes a fun journey, or a private Uber.
When deciding how to make the commute to your departure station ahead of travelling from Colombo to Sigiriya, you will need to consider information such as what time you will need to arrive there for, how long it will take you to get there, and if your preferred choice suits your travel budget.
HOW TO GET TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION IN SIGIRIYA
After making the journey from Colombo to Sigiriya you will then need to get to your final destination. This is made possible by a few forms of transport. The best way to get around Sigiriya is by hiring a bike or scooter, also being one of the most affordable ways to commute around this breathtaking destination. Another option is by hiring your own tuk-tuk which will allow you to go off the beaten tracks and get to more places. If you don’t want to hire your own transport, it is also possible for you to take a taxi or tuk-tuk driven by a local.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SIGIRIYA
If you are wanting to make the most out of your time in Sigiriya and enjoy exploring throughout the famous landmarks, then the best time to visit is January through to and including March. During these months the climate is more suitable for hiking and outdoor activities within the ancient city, compared to the dry season when humidity can reach up to 80%. Within these three months, it crosses over from winter to summer season, however, temperatures are a lot more tolerable to soak up the breathtaking surroundings on trekking adventures.
HOW LONG TO SPEND IN SIGIRIYA
With incredible activities to do in Sigiriya that you will want to make sure you don’t miss out on, spending 3 days here is a must. Throughout this time you will be able to hike up to the famous Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple, go out on a sunrise or sunset guided boat tour and find out more about the city’s fascinating history. You will want to ensure that you aren’t having to plan a back to back daily itinerary as you will definitely want time to take a moment and truly embrace the fantastic landscapes, culture and landmarks.
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN SIGIRIYA
There are incredible experiences to check out in Sigiriya, below you will find a handful of must-do activities that you will want to add to your travel bucket list…
Climb the famous Sigiriya Rock
First and foremost on your list of activities to do in Sigiriya needs to be discovering the Sigiriya Rock (also known as Lion Rock), which is the most iconic landmark of this awe-inspiring destination. The best time to make the climb is during the morning when temperatures are a bit cooler. It takes around 1 to 2 hours to hike up, which also includes you stopping to soak up the views and take many pictures. There is a cost to take this climb which is approximately $45 per person, but definitely worth it.
Take a sunrise or sunset boat tour
For a relaxing experience to either start or end your day, taking a boat tour is a fantastic activity to do. You will be able to enjoy the surrounding landscapes whilst getting to watch an amazing sunrise or sunset. Throughout the guided boat tour you will also get to learn a lot about Sigiriya including its history and culture, which is always fun to know when travelling around different countries.
Go on a cycling tour of Sigiriya
A fun way to see around Sigiriya is with a cycling tour. You will be able to ride through the countryside, view breathtaking landscapes of the area and discover hidden gems around the area. Hiring a bike is easy with this being a main form of transport, so you can either research the nearest bike hire to you or just ask at your accommodation.
Embark on a jeep safari tour
Located near to Sigiriya is the Minneriya National Park, making a day trip here ideal. You will get to witness the amazing gathering of the Asian wild elephants whilst being guided through the beautiful area. It is definitely a must-do activity when visiting somewhere in Sri Lanka.
Stay overnight in a treehouse
This is a unique way to stay in Sigiriya without spending all of your time in a typical accommodation. The remote locations of the treehouses offer you a jungle experience, with some even having views overlooking the wild elephants, providing you with a life-long memory.
MORE SRI LANKA BLOGS
If you are ready to plan more adventures around Sri Lanka, you will want to check out the collection of blogs below. These host an array of information that is great to know, such as how to get from one destination to another, some of the best accommodations that you can stay at, things you will want to do whilst you are there and tips on what to pack for your trip.
HOW TO GET FROM ELLA TO COLOMBO: COMPLETE GUIDE
HOW TO GET FROM COLOMBO TO KANDY BY TRAIN (COMPLETE GUIDE)
HOW TO GET FROM COLOMBO TO JAFFNA: COMPLETE GUIDE
20 BEST HOTELS IN SRI LANKA WITH PRIVATE POOLS
20 BEST ECO LODGES & ECO RESORTS IN SRI LANKA
15 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SRI LANKA: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE SRI LANKA PACKING LIST: WHAT TO PACK AND WHY
KANDY TO ELLA TRAIN IN SRI LANKA: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
HIKING TO DIYALUMA FALLS: SECOND HIGHEST WATERFALL IN SRI LANKA