Five Days in Sri Lanka
A 5-day first-time Sri Lanka route through Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy, with drive times, site prices updated 14 October 2026, the Peradeniya train option back to Colombo and a south coast version for November to April.
Day by day
- Day 1
Sigiriya
Land at Bandaranaike International Airport and drive about 148 km to the Sigiriya area for three nights. After a late landing, sleep in Negombo first and drop the Dambulla stop.
- Day 2
Sigiriya
Climb Sigiriya at 7 am when the site opens. Rest in the heat of the day.
- Day 3
Dambulla
Dambulla cave temple in the morning, 17 km from Sigiriya, then drive about 73 km to Kandy for two nights.
- Day 4
Kandy
Temple of the Tooth, which opens at 5.30 am, Kandy Lake and the old town.
- Day 5
Colombo
Drive about 101 km to the airport, or take the train from Peradeniya to Colombo Fort and fly from there.
What is the best 5-day Sri Lanka itinerary?
Quick answer: For a first visit, spend three nights near Sigiriya and two in Kandy. Climb Sigiriya at 7 am, see the Dambulla cave temple on the way to Kandy, then visit the Temple of the Tooth. Total driving is about 340 km. From November to April you can swap this for a south coast beach week, Galle and Mirissa.
Five days is short, so this route stays in one part of the island. It covers Sigiriya, the Dambulla cave temple and the sacred city of Kandy, three of Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you are coming from India, our 5-day itinerary from India has a route built for that trip.
What does the day-by-day plan look like?
| Day | Base | Plan | Drive (no traffic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sigiriya | Land, drive north, rest | Negombo to Sigiriya 148 km, about 2 h 50 min |
| 2 | Sigiriya | Climb Sigiriya at 7 am | None |
| 3 | Kandy | Dambulla cave temple on the way | Sigiriya to Dambulla 17 km, then Dambulla to Kandy 73 km, about 1 h 50 min in total |
| 4 | Kandy | Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake | Short tuk-tuk rides |
| 5 | Fly home | Road to the airport, or train from Peradeniya | Kandy to the airport 101 km, about 2 h |
Real drives in Sri Lanka are slower than these figures. Allow extra time on day 5 if you have a flight.
Day 1. After a morning landing, drive straight to Sigiriya. If you land late, sleep in Negombo, about 11 km from the airport, and drive north on day 2 instead. Then skip the Dambulla stop or the Kandy half day.
Day 2. The Central Cultural Fund says its sites open from 7 am to 5 pm (CCF tickets). Be at Sigiriya at opening to climb before the midday heat. Spend the afternoon resting at your hotel.
Day 3. Dambulla is 17 km from Sigiriya. After the cave temple, drive on to Kandy. Our Sigiriya vs Dambulla guide helps if you want to split the nights differently.
Day 4. The Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is open from 5.30 am to 8 pm every day, according to its official website (Sri Dalada Maligawa). Dress with shoulders and knees covered. Our sacred sites guide has the rules.
Day 5. Most people drive to the airport, about 101 km. If your flight is late, you can take a morning train from Peradeniya to Colombo Fort and spend the afternoon in Colombo.
How much do the sights cost?
| Site | Full ticket | Half ticket | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigiriya | US$35 (LKR 11,760) | US$20 (LKR 6,720) | CCF tickets, updated 14 Oct 2026 |
| Sigiriya museum | US$6 | Not listed | CCF tickets |
| Dambulla museum | US$3 (LKR 1,008) | US$1.50 | CCF tickets |
| Polonnaruwa (optional swap) | US$30 (LKR 10,080) | US$15 | CCF tickets |
CCF prices are in US dollars and paid in rupees at the Fund's listed rate, which was 336 rupees to the dollar on 14 October 2026. SAARC citizens pay 50 per cent. We did not find an official current ticket price for the Temple of the Tooth on 19 October 2026, so check at the entrance.
Can you use the train on a 5-day trip?
Only on the last day, and only from Peradeniya. Since 2 October 2026, trains from Colombo run to Peradeniya and Gampola but not into Kandy station, because the Peradeniya Black Bridge is still being restored (Colombo Times, 2 Oct 2026).
| Train | Leaves Peradeniya | Arrives Colombo Fort |
|---|---|---|
| 1038 | 4.40 am | 7.12 am |
| 1030 | 6.25 am | 8.44 am |
| 1006 Podi Menike | 4.31 pm | 7.23 pm |
Times are from the railway's announcement, as reported on 28 September 2026 (Daily Mirror). The 2022 fare table lists Peradeniya to Colombo Fort at LKR 950 in first class, LKR 500 in second and LKR 240 in third. Landslips near Kadigamuwa delayed trains in mid October 2026, so don't rely on the train for a same-day flight. Our Colombo to Kandy train guide has the full details.
When is the best time for this route?
These are the WMO 1991 to 2020 monthly rain normals for the stations nearest each base (WMO normals):
| Months | Maha Illuppallama (near Sigiriya) | Katugastota (Kandy) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 92.0 mm | 103.2 mm | Good |
| February | 82.4 mm | 78.1 mm | Very good |
| March | 63.2 mm | 97.6 mm | Very good, hot |
| June | 21.7 mm | 124.5 mm | Dry at Sigiriya, showers in Kandy |
| December | 208.8 mm | 203.6 mm | Wet |
This route works in most months, because the Cultural Triangle is dry in the middle of the year. Avoid planning outdoor days in October to December without a rain backup.
What is a good 5-day beach version?
If you want beaches instead, pick the coast by season:
| Season | Where | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| November to April | South coast | 2 nights in Galle, 3 nights in Mirissa. Mirissa is about 175 km from the airport by road |
| May to September | East coast | Fly or drive to Trincomalee or Pasikudah. Allow a full travel day each way |
Our south coast itinerary has more detail, and the east coast vs south coast guide explains the seasons.
What if you have more than 5 days?
| Extra time | Add |
|---|---|
| 2 days | The south coast at the end, or Polonnaruwa as a day trip from Sigiriya |
| 5 days | The hill country: Nuwara Eliya, the Nanu Oya to Ella train and Ella. See the hill country itinerary |
| 9 days | A full loop. See one week in Sri Lanka or 10 days with kids |
For help choosing a trip length, read how many days in Sri Lanka.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Sri Lanka?
It is enough for one region, not the whole island. Five days covers the Cultural Triangle and Kandy, or the south coast, at a comfortable pace. Adding the hill country or the east coast would mean long drives every day. For more time, see our how many days guide.
What is the best 5-day Sri Lanka itinerary?
For a first visit, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy: three nights near Sigiriya and two in Kandy, or two and two plus a Colombo night. Total driving is about 340 km over five days on an OpenStreetMap route checked on 19 October 2026, with no single leg longer than about 3 hours.
How much does Sigiriya cost?
The Central Cultural Fund's ticket page, updated 14 October 2026, lists a Sigiriya full ticket at US$35 (LKR 11,760 at its rate of 336 rupees to the dollar) and a half ticket at US$20. CCF sites open from 7 am to 5 pm. SAARC visitors pay 50 per cent.
Can I take the train from Kandy to Colombo?
Not from Kandy station as of 19 October 2026, because the Peradeniya Black Bridge is still being restored. Trains run from Peradeniya, about 7 km away. Train 1030 leaves Peradeniya at 6.25 am and reaches Colombo Fort at 8.44 am, per the railway's October 2026 announcement.
Can I see the Ella train in 5 days?
Only by cutting something big. The train from Kandy to Ella is not running as of 19 October 2026, so you would drive about 79 km to Nanu Oya first, then ride 2.5 hours to Ella, then face a long drive back to the airport. Our hill country itinerary suits that better.
What is the best month for this 5-day route?
January to April is a good window. On the WMO 1991 to 2020 normals, March is the driest month at Maha Illuppallama near Sigiriya (63.2 mm) and February the driest at Katugastota near Kandy (78.1 mm). October to December are the wettest months for both.
What is a good 5-day beach itinerary in Sri Lanka?
From November to April, go to the south coast: two nights in Galle and three in Mirissa, or the reverse. Mirissa is about 175 km from the airport by road on an OpenStreetMap route checked on 19 October 2026. From May to September, the east coast is drier.
Do I need a visa for 5 days in Sri Lanka?
You need an ETA. The official ETA site says nationals of 40 countries, including the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, India and Germany, get a free 30-day tourist ETA from 25 May 2026, and children under 12 of any nationality also get one free.