How far is Polonnaruwa from Sigiriya?

Polonnaruwa is about 60 km from Sigiriya, roughly 1 hour by road. It is a little further from Dambulla, about 1.25 hours.

How much does the Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa tour cost?

Private transport for the day costs US$100 for 1 to 3 people in a car or US$120 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra, and the optional safari jeep is US$60.

How long do you need in Polonnaruwa?

Allow 3 to 4 hours to see the main ruins at a relaxed pace. Your driver moves the car between the sites, so there is little walking in the heat.

Can I add a Minneriya safari?

Yes. You can add a private jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla in the afternoon for US$60 per jeep for up to 6 people. Park tickets are paid at the gate.

Where do you pick up from?

We pick up from hotels in Sigiriya, Dambulla and Habarana at about 8:00 am. Pickup from further away can be arranged on request.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. Polonnaruwa and national park entrance tickets are paid separately on the day. We will tell you the current prices when you book.

Light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for the temples, comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen. You will remove your shoes at some shrines.

Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa Tour | Day Trip & Safari

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Our private Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa tour takes you to the second royal capital of ancient Sri Lanka, about an hour from Sigiriya. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana at 8:00 am, and you spend the morning exploring palaces, temples and giant stone Buddhas at your own pace.

The price covers your private transport for the day: US$100 for 1 to 3 people in an air-conditioned car, or US$120 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. Want to see wild elephants too? Add an optional afternoon jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla for US$60 per jeep in the booking box.

Polonnaruwa day trip from Sigiriya: what you will see

Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century, and its ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu, the round Vatadage and the Quadrangle, the towering Lankatilaka image house, the great Rankoth Vehera stupa and the four magnificent Buddha statues of Gal Vihara, carved from a single wall of granite. Read more about the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa and Minneriya safari

After lunch, the Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks are only 30 to 45 minutes away. On the optional safari you take a private jeep into whichever park has the elephant herds that day, usually until about 6:00 pm, before returning to your hotel. Without the safari, you are back at your hotel by mid-afternoon. See our Minneriya safari for more about the park.

More day tours from Sigiriya and Dambulla

This is one of our private day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya. Staying in Kandy instead? Try our Polonnaruwa day trip from Kandy.

Coming from Colombo or Negombo? Book our Colombo to Polonnaruwa day trip, with Sigiriya Rock on the same day.

Safari jeep with wild elephants in Minneriya National Park

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Gal Vihara Buddha statues in Polonnaruwa

Staying in KandyPolonnaruwa Day Trip from KandyAncient city · Private car

From Colombo or NegomboSigiriya Day Trip from ColomboSigiriya · Dambulla · From US$130

See all day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya →

Highlights

Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa tour with hotel pickup at 8:00 am
Explore Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka’s medieval royal capital
See the Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas, the Vatadage and the Royal Palace
Optional afternoon elephant safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla
Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver
From US$100 per car · safari jeep US$60 · entrance tickets extra

8:00 am :

Hotel pickup

Your driver collects you from your hotel in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana at about 8:00 am. We confirm the exact time after booking.

About 1 hour :

Drive to Polonnaruwa

Drive east through farmland and past the Minneriya tank to Polonnaruwa, arriving at about 9:15 am. Your driver drops you at the ticket office and moves the car between the main ruins for you.

About 9:15 am – 1:00 pm :

Ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Explore the Royal Palace of Parakramabahu, the Vatadage and the Quadrangle, Lankatilaka, Rankoth Vehera and the Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas. Cover your shoulders and knees, and bring a hat for the open grounds.

Around 1:00 pm :

Lunch

Lunch at a local restaurant near Polonnaruwa (not included). Your driver will take you to a good place nearby.

About 2:30 – 6:00 pm :

Optional elephant safari

Add a private jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park to see wild elephant herds by the water. The jeep is US$60 for up to 6 people and park tickets are extra. Without the safari, you head back to your hotel after lunch.

Around 3:00 pm, or 6:45 pm with the safari :

Back at your hotel

Return to your hotel in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana at about 3:00 pm, or around 6:45 pm if you add the safari.

Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa Tour

Overview

Polonnaruwa day trip from Sigiriya: what you will see

Polonnaruwa and Minneriya safari

More day tours from Sigiriya and Dambulla

Highlights

Itinerary

What’s included

Included

Not included

FAQs

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