How to Reach Sigiriya

The lion rock or Sigiriya never fails to fascinate travellers. Long ago, it was a luxurious hideout and palace for King Kashyapa who loved art, beauty and finer things in life. He hired engineers and artists to turn a colossal rock into a luxurious palace where art and opulence reigned. Let’s discuss all the ways to travel to Sigiriya.

Travel to Sigiriya by car

This is the most hassle-free and comfortable way to reach Sigiriya resorts. You can rent a car with a driver to navigate the roads of Sri Lanka. Check with resorts like Aliya Resort and Spa to see if they can help arrange a car from Colombo. 

While you can drive in Sri Lanka if you have an international license, the roads can be hard to navigate if you’re not familiar. The road from Colombo to Sigiriya itself is pretty enchanting. Take your time to travel, and take frequent breaks to rest, grab a snack and admire the scenery. You can stop at roadside tea stalls to sip piping hot ginger tea.

Travel to Sigiriya by taxi

If you’re travelling from Colombo to Sigiriya, expect to cover about 150 kilometers. If you’re going to book a taxi, you need to be aware of the distance and the rate per kilometer. Speak to a few taxi companies before you agree on the most affordable ride. The most popular taxi hailing apps in Sri Lanka are PickMe and Uber. 

There are several other taxi companies which you can call to inquire about organizing a ride. Kangaroo cabs are known to offer luxury rides. Following the economic crisis, fuel rates have gone up in the country. Hence, expect taxi rates to be on the higher side. Most taxi companies have fixed rates per kilometer. Check the rates on apps as well before you make a decision.

Travel to Sigiriya by train?

There is no direct train to Sigiriya. What you can do is board a train from Colombo to Habarana. Reserve first class tickets from Colombo to Habarana for the journey. You’ll need to do this in advance as the tickets are cheap, and get sold like hot cakes. The first-class carriages are air conditioned, and comfortable. 

As long as you go for a reserved seat, you’ll travel in comfort on the Colombo-Habarana train. If you’re not planning to reserve train seats, pick a weekday to travel. This way, you’ll avoid crowds, and easily find a good seat. Take a snack, plenty of water and your sunglasses on the journey. You can always buy bottled water from sellers on the train, who also sell snacks, coffee and tea.

Travel to Sigiriya by bus

You won’t be able to find a direct bus to Sigiriya from Colombo. You can get a bus to either Anuradhapura or Trincomalee, and buy a ticket to Inamaluwa (e-na-ma-luwa) Junction. You can even board a bus headed to Kaduriwela and buy a ticket to Inamaluwa. Ask the ticket collector or the driver to let you know when they approach your destination. The journey will take about 6 to 7 hours. Once you are in Inamaluwa, get a Tuk Tuk or a taxi to Sigiriya. It would be wise to board an air-conditioned bus as the journey will be long. 

Non-air-conditioned buses are cheaper, but it can be discomforting to travel such a long distance in one. Before you board the bus, pack a few power snacks and plenty of drinking water. Wear your sunglasses on the bus, and take a hydration spray and wet tissue. A neck pillow might come in handy too, if you are able to nap on long bus journeys. They will definitely stop somewhere along the way for a bathroom break.