How far is Anuradhapura from Colombo?

Anuradhapura is about 205 km from Colombo, roughly 4 to 4.5 hours by road. From Negombo it is a little shorter, about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Can I do a Colombo to Anuradhapura day trip?

Yes. We pick you up at 6:00 or 6:30 am, spend about five hours in the sacred city, and bring you back at about 8:00 to 8:30 pm.

Is a private car better than the train from Colombo to Anuradhapura?

For a day trip, yes. The train takes longer and you would still need transport between the ruins. With your own car and driver you can see all the main sites in one day.

Do you pick up from Negombo and the airport?

Yes. We pick up from hotels in Colombo, Negombo and near Bandaranaike International Airport at no extra cost.

What should I wear in Anuradhapura?

Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes and hat at the sacred sites. Bring socks, as the stone can be hot by midday.

Colombo to Anuradhapura Day Trip | Sacred City

Q: How much does the Colombo to Anuradhapura day trip cost?

Private return transport costs US$160 for 1 to 3 people in a car or US$230 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Our private Colombo to Anuradhapura day trip takes you to the first royal capital of Sri Lanka, a sacred city of giant stupas, ancient monasteries and the oldest documented tree in the world. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport at 6:00 or 6:30 am, and you travel all day in your own air-conditioned car or van.

The price covers your private return transport: US$160 for 1 to 3 people in a car, or US$230 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra.

Colombo to Anuradhapura: car, train or bus?

Anuradhapura is about 205 km from Colombo. The train and the bus take 5 hours or more each way and leave you without transport between the ruins, which are spread over several kilometres. With a private car you leave when you like, stop for breakfast on the way, and your driver moves you between the sites, so you see far more in one day.

Anuradhapura day trip from Colombo: what you will see

Visit the Sri Maha Bodhi, a fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha found enlightenment; the white dome of Ruwanwelisaya; Thuparamaya, the oldest stupa on the island; the huge brick Jetavanaramaya; the Abhayagiri monastery with the Samadhi Buddha and the Twin Ponds; and the rock temple of Isurumuniya. Read more about Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Negombo to Anuradhapura

Staying in Negombo or near Bandaranaike International Airport? We pick up there at no extra cost, and the drive is a little shorter than from Colombo, about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Want to see more of the Cultural Triangle?

See our 3-day Cultural Triangle tour, with Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla and two nights near Sigiriya.

More day trips from Colombo

This is one of our private day trips from Colombo and Negombo.

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Highlights

Colombo to Anuradhapura day trip with hotel pickup at 6:00 or 6:30 am
See the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest documented tree in the world
Visit the great stupas of Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya and Jetavanaramaya
Abhayagiri, the Samadhi Buddha and Isurumuniya rock temple
Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver
Transport from US$160 · entrance tickets extra