Kandy to Sigiriya: The Best Ways To Travel 2026
Kandy to Sigiriya is one of the key travel routes for most tourists who holiday in Sri Lanka. The two destinations are some of the most iconic in Sri Lanka, and you won’t want to miss either of them.
Sigiriya, known for the impressive Lion Rock which towers above the almost desert-like scenery and once housed a magnificent palace, is an absolute must-visit and was one of the most memorable places we visited on our month-long trip to Sri Lanka.
Aside from the famous rock, there are several other unmissable attractions within close distance of Sigiriya. Polonnaruwa has similar vibes to Anchor Wat in Cambodia but without the crowds. You’ll find crumbling temples overtaken by mighty trees and incredible, intricate statues amid the forest.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn from other affiliate programs. This means we may receive a small commission on products purchased through our links at no extra cost to you.
Kandy is a great contrast to the quiet village of Sigiriya. It is a beautiful city with bustling streets and some incredible temples and museums and is the perfect place to base yourself for some exploring.
You’ll want to see them both, but how do you get from Kandy to Sigiriya?
Table Of Contents
- Multi-Day Trips From Kandy To Sigiriya
- Kandy To Sigiriya Day Trips
- From Kandy To Sigiriya By Private Driver
- Getting To Sigiriya By Tuk Tuk
Multi-Day Trips From Kandy To Sigiriya
Our top recommendation would be to take a multi-day trip from Kandy to see Sigiriya and some of the surrounding area. It’s a totally different landscape to that of Kandy, so it’s well worth spending a few days of your holiday exploring.
We’ve found the best multi-day trips to Sigiriya that include some of the other must-see destinations close by. You will only need a couple of days to get a taste of the so-called cultural triangle, and we can guarantee it will be a real highlight.
2 Day Cultural Triangle Tour
Book this tour for a true taste of the past.
You’ll start with a tour of the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa, which was a memorable part of our trip. The city is fascinating, with so much to see that it’s hard to fit it all in. You’ll want your camera at the ready to capture the monkeys climbing between ruined walls like something out of The Jungle Book.
Next up is something a little different. A trip to Minneriya National Park where you’ll embark on a three-hour safari to catch glimpses of the park’s 150 elephants. Along with these majestic creatures you’ll also be on the lookout for other mammals, birds, and reptiles that call this forest their home.
Your hotel for the night is in the sleepy village of Sigiriya. We recommend you get up nice and early to visit the main event – Sigiriya rock. It’s a long walk up a huge staircase so keep a water bottle handy!
Afterward, you’ll have the chance to experience something quite unique and go on a village tour to experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Take an oxen cart ride and enjoy a relaxing catamaran safari across a calm lake.
Enjoy a home-cooked lunch, made over a wood fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and worth every penny.
4 Days Tour of Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and More
If you have the time to spare then book this 4-day tour of some of Sri Lanka’s most fascinating sites. Although accommodation and meals aren’t included, you’ll find this priced really competitively considering the number of different attractions you’ll get to experience.
First, you’ll stop at the famous Dambulla Cave Temple. This is always listed as one of the must do things while you’re in Sri Lanka, and you’ll be impressed by the rock carved buddha statue and more.
Next up, Sigiriya ancient rock fortress. For some, this may be the main event, but you’ll have the chance to take in some other really incredible sites so don’t use all your camera battery just yet!
You’ll also have a chance to spend time in the fascinating ancient city of Anuradhapura, where you’ll see some of the most interesting temples, statues, and relics. And you compare it to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa as you’ll spend some time on a cycle tour of this beautiful historic site (if the heat is a little much then opt for a tuk-tuk to take you around instead).
You’ll visit both Wilpattu National Park where you can look out for rare leopards and Minneriya National Park where you’re almost guaranteed to see elephants.
And this isn’t all, as you’ll be stopping at some other beautiful places along the way, including a day at the beach where you can experience Sri Lanka’s world-renowned coastline.
This really is one of the best multi-day tours from which to explore the area outside of Kandy, and you’ll get a taste of some of the highlights that Sri Lanka has to offer.
Kandy To Sigiriya Day Trips
One of the most convenient ways to visit Sigiriya from Kandy is to take an organised day trip. They will take all the hassle out of planning everything separately yourself, giving you more time to enjoy your vacation.
Most of the tours in Sri Lanka are really well organised, with knowledgeable guides who will go out of their way to make everything perfect for you. We’ve found some of the best to save you some precious time!
Private Tour Of Sigiriya And Dambulla From Kandy
If you want a bit more control over your day then booking a private tour is the way to go, and for just over $60 you might be pretty impressed at the price compared to what you’d pay in the US or a lot of countries in Europe.
Do the journey to Sigiriya in comfort in private transportation and have the chance to see two iconic stops on this day trip. We recommend this day trip because it combines Sigiriya and Dambulla, both of which are must-visit sites.
With the undivided attention of your knowledgeable guide, you’ll have time to climb the UNESCO heritage rock fortress of Sigiriya and explore the museum.
You will also stop at the famous Temple of Dambulla which is between Kandy and Sigiriya, and is on many people’s bucket lists when they visit Sri Lanka. The temple houses the impressive rock-carved Buddha and other ancient relics.
Sigiriya And Minneriya National Park
This is a long day but well worth it if you want to combine some of Sri Lanka’s highlights. Book this tour and you’ll have the chance to explore Sigiriya Rock, have a unique village tour, and spot elephants in Minneriya National Park.
Alongside climbing Lion Rock, where you’ll be blown away by the views, you’ll get to experience a village tour through the stunning Sigiriya.
This was one of our favourite spots in Sri Lanka and we were lucky enough to stay there and experience sleepy village life. We felt sorry for everyone who only saw the famous rock, so this is a perfect tour to let you experience it all in just a day.
You’ll take an oxen cart ride through the local farmer’s fields and a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. You’ll also experience a Sri Lankan cooking demonstration with a home-cooked lunch cooked over a wood fire.
Afterward, head to Minneriya National Park to see the famous Sri Lankan elephants, rare bird species, saltwater crocodiles, Indian pythons, and an abundance of flora and fauna.
From Kandy To Sigiriya By Private Driver
If tours aren’t for you then you might want to consider hiring a private driver.
When we arrived in Sri Lanka we assumed private drivers were for the super rich. There’s just no way this would be an option for most travellers in the UK. But we quickly discovered that it’s actually one of the most popular ways to travel this stunning country.
Many people book a private driver for the entirety of their trip, and it’s actually pretty affordable to do so. You pay for the driver and a comfortable car, and you have autonomy over your trip if you want it. Or you can take the expert advice of your experienced driver.
If you book through this company the drivers are basically tour operators. They will give you all the advice you could possibly need, from the best places to stay and eat to where to get cash etc. They speak excellent English, and will feel more like a friend than a driver by the end of your trip.
Book a private driver for your trip
Getting To Sigiriya By Tuk Tuk
One of the cheaper ways to reach Sigiriya from Kandy is by tuk-tuk, but you should be warned it won’t be the most comfortable ride and it will take a lot longer than travelling in a car.
It’s easy to find a free tuk-tuk driver and enquire whether they’re prepared to do the long journey, but make sure you agree on a price before you set off!
Conclusion: Kandy to Sigiriya
As you can see, there are numerous ways to get from Kandy to Sigiriya. Our favourite is definitely to take a tour, where you’ll be well looked after and get to see the main sites with someone local and knowledgeable. It’s also a great way to support local businesses.
Whichever way you choose to travel, you’re in for a treat. Sigiriya really is a unique and beautiful place and we hope you enjoy every minute. And you should also check out the most beautiful things to do in Kandy before you go!
Check out these related posts:
- Trekking the Knuckles Mountain Range (perfect from Kandy)
- Two weeks in Sri Lanka
- 5 days in Sri Lanka
