Kandy to Sigiriya and Dambulla: How to Get There

Sigiriya lies about 90 km north of Kandy, on the A9 road through Matale and Dambulla. Whether you're travelling north from Kandy or south from Sigiriya, the route is the same, and it's one of the more interesting drives in the country. There is no railway between the two, so the choice is between a private vehicle and the bus.

At a glance

Option	Time	Notes
Private car or van	2.5 to 3 hours direct	Easy to add stops
Bus	3 to 4 hours	Change at Dambulla for Sigiriya
Tuk-tuk	3.5 to 4 hours	Possible, but tiring

By car

A car with a driver takes 2.5 to 3 hours without stops. The road is single carriageway, busy with buses and lorries, and it passes through Matale and several small towns. With stops, the journey makes a full and rewarding day.

Hotels in Kandy and Sigiriya can arrange a transfer, or you can use a driver for a longer tour. Agree the price, and which stops are included, before you set off. See our guide to hiring a driver.

By bus

Buses run from Kandy's main bus stand to Dambulla all day, about every 20 to 30 minutes. Any bus heading for Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Habarana or Trincomalee will take you there. The ride takes 2 to 2.5 hours.

At Dambulla, change to a local bus for Sigiriya, which takes about 40 minutes and leaves roughly every half hour during the day. Alternatively, take a tuk-tuk for the last 20 km. Some buses heading towards Habarana can drop you at Inamaluwa junction, where the Sigiriya road turns off, and tuk-tuks wait there.

Buses are cheap and frequent, and they can be crowded, with little room for luggage. Try to travel outside rush hours.

Is there a train?

No. The nearest railway station to Sigiriya is Habarana, on the line from Colombo to Trincomalee and Batticaloa, and it doesn't connect conveniently with Kandy.

Stops on the way

This is the reason to go by car. From south to north:

• Matale spice gardens. A look at how cinnamon, pepper, vanilla and cocoa grow. Expect a sales pitch at the end.
• Sri Muthumariamman Temple, Matale. A colourful Hindu temple on the main street, with a towering gateway.
• Aluvihare Rock Temple. The cave monastery where the Buddhist scriptures were first written down. Allow 45 minutes.
• Nalanda Gedige. A rare stone temple that blends Hindu and Buddhist styles, and is usually empty.
• Dambulla Cave Temple. Five caves filled with Buddha statues and murals, and a highlight of any trip. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, including the climb.

You can't comfortably do all of these and still climb Sigiriya on the same day. Choose two or three, and save the rock for the next morning.

Can you visit Sigiriya as a day trip from Kandy?

Yes, and many people do. It's a long day: about 6 hours of driving in total, plus the climb. To make it work, leave Kandy by 5:30 or 6 am, climb Sigiriya before the heat, visit Dambulla in the early afternoon and return by evening. Our day trips from Kandy has a timetable.

If you can, stay at least one night near Sigiriya. You'll be able to climb at opening time, add Pidurangala for sunset, and take an elephant safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla. Our Cultural Triangle itinerary shows how to use two or three days, and Sigiriya vs Pidurangala helps you choose between the rocks.

Where to stay

• Sigiriya village suits those who want to walk or cycle to the rock.
• Habarana is the best base for safaris and for onward travel to Polonnaruwa or Trincomalee.
• Dambulla has the widest choice of budget rooms and the best bus connections.

Travelling onwards

From Sigiriya, it's about 1.5 hours to Polonnaruwa, 1.5 to 2 hours to Anuradhapura and 2 hours to Trincomalee. See getting around Sri Lanka for more routes.