Overview
Our private Colombo to Polonnaruwa day trip takes you to two of Sri Lanka’s greatest ancient sites in one day: the medieval royal city of Polonnaruwa and the rock fortress of Sigiriya. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport at 6:30 or 7:00 am, and you travel 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. On the way back you can add a free stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple; just tick it in the booking box.
Polonnaruwa day trip from Colombo: the plan
We drive to Polonnaruwa first, as it is the furthest point, arriving at about 11:00 am. Explore the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu, the Vatadage and the Quadrangle, Lankatilaka and the Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas. After lunch, head back west to Sigiriya Rock for an afternoon climb when it is cooler, then stop at Dambulla if you wish before the drive home. Read more about Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Polonnaruwa day tour from Negombo and the airport
Staying in Negombo or near Bandaranaike International Airport? We pick up from any hotel in Negombo or the airport area at no extra cost, and the drive is a little shorter than from Colombo.
Is it a long day?
Yes. Polonnaruwa is about 4.5 hours from Colombo, so this is a full day of around 16 hours. If you prefer a slower pace, we can add a night near Sigiriya, or choose our shorter Sigiriya day trip from Colombo.
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.
Highlights
- Colombo to Polonnaruwa day trip with hotel pickup at 6:30 or 7:00 am
- Explore Polonnaruwa, the UNESCO-listed medieval royal capital
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the cooler afternoon
- Free optional stop at the Dambulla Cave 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
