From Colombo airport to Kandy or Sigiriya: real road, bus and rail times (2026)

From Colombo airport, go by road. Kandy is about 110 to 120 km away, about 3 to 4 hours; Sigiriya is about 140 km, about 3 to 4.5 hours. The official airport taxi costs 21,384 rupees to Kandy and 28,188 rupees to Sigiriya (as listed October 2026). No train reaches Kandy from Colombo until about January 2027.

This guide compares the ways to make the trip in 2026, with the times and prices we could confirm, and explains what to do if your flight lands at night.

Where is Colombo airport?

Colombo's international airport, Bandaranaike International (CMB), is at Katunayake, about 30 km north of central Colombo. The beach town of Negombo is about 7 km away by road, around 15 minutes without traffic.

Before you leave the airport, you can get rupees and a local SIM: the bank counters, ATMs and mobile-network counters in the arrival hall are open 24 hours, so this works even if you land at night. See money in Sri Lanka and getting a SIM.

How long does it take to drive from the airport to Kandy?

By road, Kandy is about 110 to 120 kilometres from the airport, depending on the route. Routing tools give a little over 2 hours without traffic; allow about 3 to 4 hours. This is an estimate, checked in October 2026.

How long does it take to drive from the airport to Sigiriya?

From the airport to Dambulla is about 130 km, and to Sigiriya about 140 km. Allow about 3 to 4.5 hours by road to Sigiriya, with traffic (estimate, checked October 2026). Dambulla is about 2.5 to 4 hours.

Is there an expressway to Kandy or Sigiriya?

Not all the way. Part of the Central Expressway is open: the section from Mirigama to Kurunegala, opened in January 2022. The section from Kadawatha to Mirigama is still being built (just over half complete in August 2026), and no expressway reaches Kandy, Dambulla or Sigiriya yet (as checked October 2026).

Sri Lanka's expressways are toll roads. Tolls can be paid in cash at every expressway. Card payment at the booths is for cards from Sri Lankan banks, so a foreign card may not work there; agree with your driver whether tolls are in the price.

How much is a taxi from Colombo airport to Kandy?

The official Airport Taxi Service at Colombo airport has counters in the arrival hall and fixed fares by destination. As listed in October 2026:

• Kandy: 21,384 rupees.
• Sigiriya: 28,188 rupees.
• Dambulla: 24,192 rupees.
• Habarana: 27,000 rupees.

If you go beyond the destination you booked, each extra kilometre costs 130 rupees.

Can you use Uber or PickMe from the airport?

Yes. The airport lists Uber and PickMe among its official ways to get to and from the airport, so you can book a car with either app when you land. The airport does not publish where app drivers wait, so check the pick-up point in the app. App fares are not published, so check the quote in the app before you book.

Is there a train from Colombo to Kandy?

Not to Kandy station in 2026. As of early October 2026, trains from Colombo do not reach Kandy station. Services to Peradeniya and Gampola were due to restart on 2 October 2026; the first train that morning was a trial run without passengers. Sri Lanka Railways expects Colombo to Kandy services to return in January 2027. Travel from the airport to Kandy by road, and check railway.gov.lk before you travel.

Peradeniya, where Colombo trains currently end, is about 6 km by rail from Kandy station. See the Kandy to Ella train for the hill-country line.

Is there a bus from the airport to Kandy?

Not directly. The airport's route 187 bus to Colombo Fort runs 24 hours, takes about 50 minutes and costs 325 rupees, plus 325 rupees for baggage over 23 kg. It leaves from the outer porch of the departure terminal. The airport lists no direct bus to Kandy; long-distance buses leave from Colombo's central bus stand in Pettah (as listed October 2026).

It is the cheapest published fare, but you go into Colombo first and change buses with your luggage.

What if your flight lands at night?

The UK government warns that driving in Sri Lanka is erratic and that road accidents are frequent, especially at night. If your flight lands late, consider a night near the airport, for example in Negombo, and drive to Kandy or Sigiriya in daylight.

Should you hire a car with a driver?

Most visitors hire a car with a driver; see hiring a driver in Sri Lanka for what to agree. The only official, published prices are the airport's own: the route 187 bus to Colombo for 325 rupees, and fixed taxi fares of 21,384 rupees to Kandy and 28,188 rupees to Sigiriya (October 2026). App fares and private-driver rates are not published, so get a quote before you set off.

Since March 2026, fuel in Sri Lanka has been rationed. This can affect hired cars, so ask your driver how fuel is handled and who pays (checked October 2026).

If you would rather drive yourself, an International Driving Permit alone is not enough. Visitors need a Sri Lankan temporary driving licence from the Department of Motor Traffic; since August 2025 a counter at the airport issues one, valid for up to five months (as checked October 2026). Most visitors hire a car with a driver instead.

Which way should you choose?

• Fastest and simplest: the official airport taxi or a pre-booked driver, by day.
• Landing late: a night near the airport, then the drive in daylight.
• Cheapest published fare: the route 187 bus to Colombo, then a long-distance bus from Pettah.
• By train: not possible to Kandy until about January 2027.

Our two-week itinerary starts with this drive, and Is Sigiriya worth climbing? explains what you will see when you arrive. For a shorter route, see ten days in Sri Lanka.

What most visitors miss

• Old guides show a Kandy train. It does not run from Colombo until about January 2027.
• The expressway stops short. No expressway reaches Kandy, Dambulla or Sigiriya yet.
• Foreign cards may not work at toll booths. Carry cash.
• The airport taxi has fixed fares. Check the counter price before you agree to anything else.
• Night drives carry more risk. A night near the airport is often the better start.

Before you land

• Decide: taxi, pre-booked driver, app, or bus.
• Check the fixed taxi fare at the counter (21,384 rupees to Kandy, 28,188 to Sigiriya, as listed October 2026).
• Get rupees and a SIM in the arrival hall.
• Cash for tolls.
• If you land late, a room near the airport.
• Rail status checked on railway.gov.lk.

Questions people ask

How do I get from Colombo airport to Kandy?

By road. The official airport taxi costs 21,384 rupees (as listed October 2026), and the drive takes about 3 to 4 hours. No train reaches Kandy from Colombo until about January 2027.

How long is the drive from Colombo airport to Sigiriya?

About 140 km. Allow about 3 to 4.5 hours, with traffic (estimate, checked October 2026).

Is there a train from Colombo airport to Kandy?

No. As of early October 2026, trains from Colombo do not reach Kandy: services to Peradeniya and Gampola were due to restart on 2 October (the first was a trial run without passengers), and Colombo to Kandy services are expected to return in January 2027.

Can I get a bus from the airport to Kandy?

There is no direct bus. Take the route 187 bus to Colombo Fort (325 rupees, about 50 minutes), then a long-distance bus from Pettah.

Should I stay a night near the airport?

If you land late, yes, consider it. The UK government warns that road accidents are frequent, especially at night. Negombo is about 7 km from the airport.

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Coming soon: Sri Lanka Before You Land, our pre-trip ebook, explains the route and the travel times behind every stop. A free guide, Your First Week in Sri Lanka, will cover the first days on the ground.