There are 4 ways to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura by train, bus, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapuratrain Colombo / ...
3h 45mRs 1,300–3,100Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapurabus 57 / ...
5h 45mRs 700–800Drive 191.1 km
- Drive from Colombo to Anuradhapuracar 191.1 km
3h 33mRs 8,680–12,538Fly, bus
- Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Sigiriya Airport (GIU)plane CMB - GIU
- Take the bus from Dambulla to Anuradhapurabus
3h 22mRs 24,115–121,977
Colombo to Anuradhapura by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura is to bus which costs Rs. 700 - Rs. 800 and takes 5h 45m.
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura is to fly and bus which takes 3h 22m and costs Rs. 24000 - Rs. 130000.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal and arriving at Anuradhapura. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 45m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Colombo Fort and arriving at Anuradhapura. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 45m.
The distance between Colombo and Anuradhapura is 206 km. The road distance is 191.1 km.
The best way to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura without a car is to train which takes 3h 45m and costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3100.
The train from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura takes 3h 45m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Colombo to Anuradhapura bus services, operated by National Transport Commission, depart from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal station.
Colombo to Anuradhapura train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Colombo Fort station.
The best way to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura is to train which takes 3h 45m and costs Rs. 1300 - Rs. 3100. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs Rs. 700 - Rs. 800 and takes 5h 45m.
What companies run services between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka Railways operates a train from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura 3 times a day. Tickets cost Rs 1,300–3,100 and the journey takes 3h 45m. Alternatively, National Transport Commission operates a bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapura every 30 minutes. Tickets cost Rs 700–800 and the journey takes 5h 45m. NCG Express also services this route twice daily.
- Website
- cinnamonair.com
Flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Sigiriya Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 30 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- Rs 14,000–110,000
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- seatreservation.railway.gov.lk
Train from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,100
- Website
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,600
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,400–3,100
- Phone
- +94 011-2587372
- [email protected]
- Website
- ntc.gov.lk
Bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapura
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- Rs 700–800
- Website
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/
- Schedules at
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/times/
- Standard
- Rs 700–800
- Semi Lux
- Rs 900–1,300
- Super Lux
- Rs 1,600–2,100
Bus from Dambulla to Anuradhapura
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- Rs 240–270
- Website
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/
- Schedules at
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/times/
- Standard
- Rs 240–270
- Semi Lux
- Rs 260–370
- Super Lux
- Rs 500–650
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- [email protected]
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Anuradhapura
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Schedules at
- https://ncgexpress.lk/
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More Questions & Answers
Colombo to Anuradhapura bus services, operated by National Transport Commission, arrive at Anuradhapura station.
Colombo to Anuradhapura train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Anuradhapura station.
Yes, the driving distance between Colombo to Anuradhapura is 191 km. It takes approximately 3h 33m to drive from Colombo to Anuradhapura.
There are 561+ hotels available in Anuradhapura.