Sri Lanka Destination Guide

Rent a Car in Anuradhapura: Self-Drive or With a Driver

The Sacred City, Mihintale and the road north

Rent a car for Anuradhapura: the essentials

You can rent a car for Anuradhapura with H.B.S. Rent a Car from Rs. 12,000 a day. The ancient city is about 170 km from Colombo airport, a drive of 3.5 to 4 hours on the A9 highway. Drive yourself or take an English-speaking driver, keep the car for the sites of the Sacred City and Mihintale, and use a one-way rental if you want to leave it in another city. The table below shows the lowest rate for each type of car.

Why Rent a Car for Anuradhapura?

✔Sites spread over a wide area: the great stupas, the Bo tree and the older monasteries are some distance apart, and the heat makes walking between them tiring.
✔Mihintale: the hill of Mihintale is a short drive from the city, and an early start avoids the midday heat.
✔A stop on the road north: Anuradhapura is a natural overnight stop on the way to Jaffna.
✔Part of a loop: Dambulla, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa are near enough to fit into a trip through the Cultural Triangle.

Car rental rates for Anuradhapura

The lowest daily rate of each type of car, in Sri Lankan rupees. The rate per day falls for rentals of two weeks or a month. Every car and its rate is on the rates page.

Daily car rental rates (LKR), from
Car	Per day	Per day, 2 weeks	Per day, 1 month	Best for
Small car (Honda Fit Shuttle, Suzuki Wagon R, Honda N Box)	Rs. 12,000	Rs. 11,500	Rs. 10,000	Couples, 1-3 bags, city and expressway
7-seat van (Suzuki Every, Mazda Scrum)	Rs. 14,000	Rs. 12,500	Rs. 9,500	Families and groups with luggage
Hybrid sedan (Toyota Prius, Allion)	Rs. 16,500	Rs. 14,500	Rs. 12,000	Long drives, lowest fuel use
Toyota Axio	Rs. 20,000	Rs. 18,500	Rs. 15,000	Comfortable sedan for 3-4 people
Honda Vezel, Toyota C-HR	Rs. 22,000	Rs. 20,000	Rs. 16,000	Higher seating for the hill country
Toyota Hiace KDH van (10 to 14 seats)	Rs. 25,000	Rs. 23,500	Rs. 17,500	Groups of 8 or more
Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar XF	Rs. 30,000	Rs. 28,000	Rs. 24,000	Business and VIP arrivals
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (7 seats)	Rs. 44,500	Rs. 42,500	Rs. 38,500	5 to 7 people, rough or hilly roads

Top Attractions & Highlights in Anuradhapura

The Sacred City

Ruwanwelisaya
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Jetavanaramaya
Abhayagiri Dagaba

Around the city

Mihintale
Isurumuniya

Vehicle Recommendations for Anuradhapura

Vehicle Category	Best Suited For	Key Features
Sedan (Axio / Allion)	The A9 highway and the city	Air-conditioned, comfortable on long drives
Crossover (Vezel / C-HR)	Couples and small families	Higher seating, more boot space
Toyota KDH van	Groups of 8 or more	10 to 14 seats

Travel Tips for Driving to Anuradhapura

Start early. The sites are open air, and the middle of the day is hot.
Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes and hat at the sacred places.
Foreign visitors need a valid licence from their home country and either an International Driving Permit or a temporary endorsement from the Automobile Association of Ceylon.

Places to visit in Anuradhapura by car

Each guide gives the distance from the airport, the entry fee and what to know before you go.

Ruwanwelisaya: the great white stupa.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi: the sacred Bo tree.
Jetavanaramaya: a large brick stupa.
Abhayagiri Dagaba
Mihintale: the hill where Buddhism is said to have reached Sri Lanka.
Isurumuniya

Driving times to Anuradhapura

Approximate times in normal traffic, measured from Colombo airport.

Driving times to Anuradhapura
From Colombo airport to	Approx. distance	Approx. time
Mihintale	165 km	About 3.5 hours
Isurumuniya	168 km	About 3.5 hours
Ruwanwelisaya	170 km	3.5-4 hours by the A9 highway
Jetavanaramaya	171 km	3.5-4 hours
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi	172 km	3.5-4 hours
Abhayagiri Dagaba	175 km	About 4 hours

Choosing a car

A sedan such as the Toyota Axio or Allion is comfortable on the A9 and in the city. A crossover sits higher, and a Toyota KDH van suits a group. See the rate of every car, or read about car rental at Colombo airport if you are landing in Colombo.

Driving in and around Anuradhapura

The roads in the city are flat and wide, but cyclists and tuk-tuks share them.
Park in the marked areas near the sites and keep the car locked.
The A9 is the busiest road in the north. Overtake only with a clear view.
Expressway tolls and parking charges are paid by the hirer; see the terms and conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Anuradhapura from Colombo airport?

About 170 km. The drive takes 3.5 to 4 hours on the A9 highway.

How much does it cost to rent a car for Anuradhapura?

Cars start from Rs. 12,000 a day. The price depends on the car and on how long you keep it, and the rate per day falls for rentals of two weeks or a month. The table on this page lists the lowest rate for each type of car.

Can I rent a car in Colombo and return it in Anuradhapura?

Yes. A one-way rental between Colombo, Anuradhapura and the other main cities can be arranged when you book. Tell us the pick-up and drop-off places.

Can I hire a car with a driver for Anuradhapura?

Yes. An English-speaking driver can take you for a day or for the whole trip. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp at +94 777425008.

Do I need a ticket for the Sacred City?

Foreign visitors buy a ticket for the Sacred City that covers many of the sites. The guide of each site says what is included and what you pay at the gate.

Can I visit Anuradhapura as a day trip from Colombo?

It is possible, but the road takes 3.5 to 4 hours each way. Most visitors stay a night in Anuradhapura or combine it with Dambulla and Sigiriya.