4h 30m
by car · 205 km
4h 30m
4h 45m
5h 00m
Colombo to Anuradhapura is 205 km by road and takes about 4h 30m in a car. The train covers the same ground in about 4h 45m. By bus, allow 5h 00m.
Check another leg
Pre-filled with this route. Change either end to compare.
Connecting legs
Other legs from Colombo
-
Colombo to Kandy
3h 10m -
Colombo to Galle
1h 45m -
Colombo to Ella
6h 40m -
Colombo to Sigiriya
4h 15m -
Colombo to Trincomalee
5h 30m
Other ways to reach Anuradhapura
-
Kandy to Anuradhapura
3h 15m -
Sigiriya to Anuradhapura
1h 45m
Common questions
How long does it take to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura?
By road it takes about 4h 30m to cover the 205 km. That is real driving time including towns and traffic, not a map estimate.
Is there a train from Colombo to Anuradhapura?
Yes. The train takes about 4h 45m. On the popular hill country services, reserved seats open 30 days ahead and sell out the same morning.
Can I take a bus from Colombo to Anuradhapura?
Yes. Allow about 5h 00m. Buses are the cheapest option by a wide margin, and they leave when full rather than to a strict timetable.
How far is Colombo from Anuradhapura?
About 205 km by road, or roughly 127 miles. That works out at an average of 46 km/h once you account for the roads here, which is why the drive takes longer than the distance suggests.
What is the fastest way from Colombo to Anuradhapura?
The car or taxi, at about 4h 30m. Fastest is not always best here — on the scenic legs the train is slower and still the better choice.
Part of a surveyed matrix — 26 of 91 possible pairs measured so far. Times are what we recorded ourselves, not map estimates.