Overview in Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka · Food, History, Day Trips, Literature, Outdoors · USD 160

Colombo to Anuradhapura day trip: private car from Colombo or Negombo to the sacred city, Sri Maha Bodhi and the great stupas, with hotel pickup. From US$160. Our private Colombo to Anuradhapura day trip takes you to the first royal capital of Sri Lanka, a sacred city of giant stupas, ancient monasteries and the oldest documented tree in the world. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport at 6:00 or 6:30 am, and you travel all day in your own air-conditioned car or van. The price covers your private return transport: US$160 for 1 to 3 people in a car, or US$230 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. Colombo to Anuradhapura: car, train or bus? Anuradhapura is about 205 km from Colombo. The train and the bus take 5 hours or more each way and leave you without transport between the ruins, which are spread over several kilometres. With a private car you leave when you like, stop for breakfast on the way, and your driver moves you between the sites, so you see far more in one day. Anuradhapura day trip from Colombo: what you will see Visit the Sri Maha Bodhi, a fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha found enlightenment; the white dome of Ruwanwelisaya; Thuparamaya, the oldest stupa on the island; the huge brick Jetavanaramaya; the Abhayagiri monastery with the Samadhi Buddha and the Twin Ponds; and the rock temple of Isurumuniya. Read more about Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Negombo to Anuradhapura Staying in Negombo or near Bandaranaike International Airport? We pick up there at no extra cost, and the drive is a little shorter than from Colombo, about 3.5 to 4 hours. Want to see more of the Cultural Triangle? See our 3-day Cultural Triangle tour, with Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla and two nights near Sigiriya. More day trips from Colombo This is one of our private day trips from Colombo and Negombo. See all day trips from Colombo → Highlights - Colombo to Anuradhapura day trip with hotel pickup at 6:00 or 6:30 am - See the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest documented tree in the world - Visit the great stupas of Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya and Jetavanaramaya - Abhayagiri, the Samadhi Buddha and Isurumuniya rock temple - Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver - Transport from US$160 · entrance tickets extra Itinerary Your driver collects you from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport at the time you choose. We confirm the exact time after booking. Head north through Kurunegala with a breakfast stop on the way, arriving in Anuradhapura at about 10:30 am. Visit the sacred Bodhi tree, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya and Jetavanaramaya. Your driver moves the car between the sites for you. Lunch at a local restaurant in Anuradhapura (not included). See the Abhayagiri monastery, the Samadhi Buddha and the Twin Ponds, then the rock temple of Isurumuniya with its famous carving of the lovers. Drive back south to your hotel in Colombo or Negombo. What’s included Included - Private air-conditioned car or van for the whole day - English-speaking driver - Hotel pickup and drop-off in Colombo, Negombo or the airport area - Fuel, parking fees and highway tolls Not included - Anuradhapura entrance tickets - Meals and drinks - Tips for your driver (optional) FAQs Anuradhapura is about 205 km from Colombo, roughly 4 to 4.5 hours by road. From Negombo it is a little shorter, about 3.5 to 4 hours. Yes. We pick you up at 6:00 or 6:30 am, spend about five hours in the sacred city, and bring you back at about 8:00 to 8:30 pm. Private return transport costs US$160 for 1 to 3 people in a car or US$230 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. For a day trip, yes. The train takes longer and you would still need transport between the ruins. With your own car and driver you can see all the main sites in one day. Yes. We pick up from hotels in Colombo, Negombo and near Bandaranaike International Airport at no extra cost. Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes and hat at the sacred sites. Bring socks, as the stone can be hot by midday.