Sri Lanka Route Guide · Cultural Triangle
Colombo Airport (CMB) to Polonnaruwa by Private Car and Driver
Updated 10 October 2026 · by the GoTourRide team
Polonnaruwa is a medieval capital with ruined palaces, a famous reclining Buddha at Gal Vihara and good cycling routes. It is usually paired with Sigiriya.
Route at a glance
- From
- Colombo Airport (CMB)
- To
- Polonnaruwa
- Distance
- About 230 km
- Drive time
- 5 hours
- Best for
- Ancient ruins and elephant watching.
The drive
You drive via Dambulla and Habarana, then south east to Polonnaruwa on the A11. The roads are paved and fairly quiet once you leave Dambulla.
Best stops on the way
Dambulla
Cave temple and Golden Temple.
Minneriya National Park
Elephant gathering from around July to October.
Choose your vehicle
Pick a vehicle by group size and luggage. These are average day rates across GoTourRide drivers; a one-way transfer is quoted by the driver, so request a quote for an exact price. You can also use our trip cost calculator.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Average day rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mini car | Up to 2 | About $61/day |
| Normal car | Up to 3 | About $66/day |
| SUV | Up to 3 | About $91/day |
| Large car | Up to 4 | About $75/day |
| Minivan | Up to 6 | About $103/day |
| Large van | Up to 10 | About $118/day |
| Minibus | Up to 15 | About $169/day |
Tips for this route
- Hire a bicycle in the old city for a relaxed way to see the ruins.
- Combine with Minneriya if you visit during the gathering season.
Book a driver
Keep reading
- Golden Temple of Dambulla
- Best safari in Sri Lanka
- How to hire a private driver in Sri Lanka
- Colombo Airport (CMB) to Sigiriya
- Colombo Airport (CMB) to Anuradhapura
- Sigiriya to Kandy
- All Sri Lanka driver routes
FAQs
How long is the transfer to Polonnaruwa?
About 5 hours from the airport.
When is the elephant gathering at Minneriya?
It usually peaks from around July to October, depending on rain.