Key hubs
Polonnaruwa airport and railway station
- Airport
- Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo (CMB), about 5 to 6 hours by road; Hingurakgoda (HIM), about 12 km north of town, is a small domestic and air force airfield with only limited charter service listed
- Railway station
- Polonnaruwa station is on the Batticaloa line, with the Udaya Devi service linking Colombo Fort and Batticaloa; check timetables and which services stop here before relying on it
- Getting around
- The ruins are spread over several kilometres, so a car with a driver, a tuk-tuk or a hired bicycle works best; the modern town is about 3 km south of the archaeological zone
How to reach Polonnaruwa by air
Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo (CMB) is the main gateway, about 5 to 6 hours by road from Polonnaruwa. Several Indian cities have had direct flights to Colombo, but schedules change, so check with airlines. Hingurakgoda (HIM), about 12 km north of town, is a small domestic and air force airfield, with only limited charter service listed.
How to reach Polonnaruwa by train
Polonnaruwa station is on the Batticaloa line, which branches off the Northern line at Maho Junction. The Udaya Devi service connects Colombo Fort with Batticaloa; confirm timetables and stops locally. The station serves the modern town, not the ruins.
How to reach Polonnaruwa by road
Polonnaruwa is reached by road from Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla and Sigiriya. It sits on the main road from Colombo through Habarana and Giritale towards Batticaloa. Most visitors use a private car with a driver; buses to Polonnaruwa town are the budget option.
Getting around Polonnaruwa
The archaeological zone is about 3 km north of the modern town and spread over several kilometres. Tuk-tuks, hired cars and bicycles are the usual choices. Agree prices before you set off, and for safaris use a licensed jeep with a driver.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Polonnaruwa
- Hire a driver or tuk-tuk for the park: the sites are spread over several kilometres and shade is limited.
- Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and rest through the hottest hours.
- Travel insurance with medical cover matters, as serious care means transfer to larger centres.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.