How to get from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya

Fern Coll

Travel Writer/World Explorer

April 27, 2023

Sigiriya, also known as Sinhagiri, is a breathtaking ancient rock fortress located near the town of Dambulla. Its central column is dominated by an impressive 180m-high rock, and Sigiriya has immense archaeological and historical importance for the people of Sri Lanka.

If you’re looking to visit this archaeological site, there’s only one transfer option from Colombo airport to Sigiriya; taking a taxi. The journey time in an airport taxi will be around 2 hours and 45 minutes and the cost will be approximately €40 (LKR 15,000).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Colombo at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€75	165min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€40	165min	24/7

How to get from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya by Taxi

Unless you’re willing to rent a car, the only way to get from Colombo airport to Sigiriya is by taxi. Taking a local airport taxi will cost around €40 (LKR 15,000) and will take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach Sigiriya.

How much is a taxi from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya?

The cost of a local taxi from Colombo airport to Sigiriya will depend on a few factors, such as the level of traffic. By default, your driver will use a taximeter to calculate your fare, but you may try to negotiate a set fare with them if you’re comfortable with that. The average cost of the journey from Colombo airport to Sigiriya will be €40 (LKR 15,000).

If you’re looking for a fixed-rate fare for your taxi but don’t want to negotiate, you can pre-book your transfer with Welcome Pickups and avoid hidden fees.

Cost

€40 (LKR 15,000)

Trip Duration

2 Hrs 45 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24 hour a day outside of Colombo Airport.

Where do I get a taxi at Colombo Airport?

Taxis can be found 24/7 at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, just outside of the main terminal building.

Convenience

Renting a car in an unknown destination can be time-consuming, frustrating and expensive. That’s why it’s much more convenient to take a taxi from Colombo airport to Sigiriya. You won’t need to wait in line or navigate the local road networks, instead, you can relax in the back of an air-conditioned vehicle and make your way directly to Sigiriya.

Editor’s Note

As the journey from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya is long, the cost can vary significantly if there's traffic. To ensure you know exactly how much your transfer will cost, I recommend pre-booking with Welcome Pickups.

Useful Tips

The journey from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya is long, be sure to bring water and maybe a snack for the ride.

You can try to negotiate a fixed rate fare with your driver before beginning your journey.

There's no additional cost for luggage that can fit in the trunk.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Colombo. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€71.0

NIGHTTIME

€86.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Colombo airport to Sigiriya?

The only way to get from Colombo airport to Sigiriya is to take a taxi. The journey time in a Colombo airport taxi is around 2 hours and 45 minutes, depending on traffic, and the total cost will be around €40 (LKR 15,000).

What’s the distance from Sigiriya to Colombo Airport?

The distance from Colombo airport to Sigiriya is 146 km. Taking a Colombo airport taxi will take around 2 hours and 45 minutes to get there if there’s no heavy traffic or delays.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Colombo airport to Sigiriya?

The local taxi drivers will charge around €40 (LKR 15,000) for the journey from Colombo airport to Sigiriya, which will be calculated more precisely using a taximeter. However, you can secure a fixed rate fare you can count on by booking your Colombo airport to Sigiriya transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

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How to get from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from Colombo Airport to Sigiriya by Taxi