Visit Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka

This article provides travel tips to visit Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka: what to do in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, where to stay in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, and how to get around Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are two of the five ancient cities of Sri Lanka, part of the cultural triangle, along with Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy. Two of Sri Lanka’s most ancient kingdoms and are both inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

How to Get to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa by Bus

It takes a little over 2hrs to get from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, there are many buses going to and from every day. Cost is about LKR 90 per person (under USD $1.50).

From Colombo to Anuradhapura, the ride takes about 6hrs– expect the same travel time from Colombo to Polonnaruwa.

How to Get to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa by Train

From Colombo to Polonnaruwa– ride takes less than 6hrs, with a train change in Galoya – expect to pay less than USD $5 for 2^nd class seating.

From Colombo to Anuradhapura – ride takes less than 5hrs, with a departure from Colombo at 6am.

Elephants Carvings in Stone Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

How to Get Around Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa

The best and cheapest way to get around the two ancient cities to visit the ruins is by bicycle. Most guesthouses will offer bicycles for rent. Compare prices with the local shops if you can before making a decision but most bicycle rentals will cost about LKR 300 per day (~USD $2).

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Where to Stay in Anuradhapura: Hotels in Anuradhapura

Sunway Holiday Resort – $14 for a basic, clean double room with private bath and free WiFi. Location a bit far from ruins.

Hotel Savonrich – $19 for a clean, nicely decorated double room though a bit far from center.

Where to Stay in Polonnaruwa: Hotels in Polonnaruwa

Thisara Guesthouse – basic, clean double room with private bath for LKR 2,000 (USD $15) and close to city ruins.

Thisara Guest House, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka

Thisal Guest House – standard, clean double room with private bath for USD $14, good location and nice staff

What to do in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa– Activities in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa

Which ancient city to visit between the two?

Buddha Statue in Meditation Pose Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka

We roamed around the Anuradhapura sites without purchasing a ticket to visit the ruins and decided to visit the ancient sites of Polonnaruwa instead.

Anuradhapura’s sites are spread out throughout the old town, we hired a tuk tuk to take us around the main sites, while Polonnaruwa’s are part of a smaller area, so we could visit on our own with a bicycle, and are better preserved.

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

To visit all the sights in the ancient city of Anuradhapura you have to purchase a ticket at a cost of USD $25 including but not limited to:

The Bodhi Tree Temple – the second most sacred place in Sri Lanka after the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy

Buddhist Temple Anuradhapura Sri Lanka ooaworld Rolling Coconut

Ruwanwelisaya – the largest stupa in Anuradhapura. At night, the stupa is lit which makes it even more impressive than during the day.

All the sights in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa cost USD $25 per person (September 2013 – expect an increase since) including but not limited to:

Gil Vihara Temple – 3 Buddha rock statues: sitting, standing and laying.

Gal Vihara Sleeping Buddha Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Lankathilaka Image House – serene and quiet atmosphere, Polonnaruwa architecture.

Image House, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Lotus ponds – beautiful lotus-shaped ponds/baths

Pokuna Lotus Shaped Ponds, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

How To Get Away – Local Transportation – from Polonnaruwa to Habarana

Most travelers continue on their visit to the rest of the cultural triangle. Habarana is a good transition hub as it is close to Polonnaruwa, Miniriya National Park and Dambulla/ Sigiriya. There are many buses throughout the day going to any of these destinations.

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Our next town to visit was Habanara where we met up with H. We had not seen him since Colombo, where he helped us find a place to sleep at 1am.

View more travel tips to visit Sri Lanka.

Did you go to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa? How long did you spend in each ancient city? Share your travel experience with us! We love to hear from you.

Happy Travels !!xx

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