Colombo Airport to Trincomalee by Car
about 260 to 270 km, 5.5 to 6.5 hours
Trincomalee is on the east coast, with calm beaches from April to September when the west and south are rough. The road from the airport follows the Dambulla route and turns east.
Times are for normal traffic and exclude stops. Always allow extra time on holidays and in rain.
Routes from the airport to Trincomalee
Via Dambulla and Habarana (the usual road)
Drive to Kurunegala and Dambulla as for Sigiriya, continue to Habarana and turn east towards Kantale and Trincomalee. The roads are good and mostly straight. Allow 5.5 to 6.5 hours.
Via Anuradhapura
If you are visiting the ancient city first, you can reach Trincomalee from Anuradhapura through Horowpothana and Kantale. It adds a day trip, not much distance.
Worth a stop on the way
- Dambulla: A good place for lunch, and the Dambulla Cave Temple if you have an hour.
- Habarana: The junction where the east-coast road leaves the Cultural Triangle; a stop for fuel and drinks.
- Koneswaram Temple and Fort Frederick: In Trincomalee itself, on a headland above the sea.
Road notes
- The road after Habarana is quiet and straight; heat and tiredness are the risk, so take a break every two hours.
- From November to February the north-east monsoon brings rain and rough seas on the east coast; the beach season is April to September.
- Some beach roads at Nilaveli and Uppuveli are sandy at the end: leave the car at the hotel and walk.
Which car for this drive
A hybrid sedan or a compact SUV is comfortable on the long, flat road. Choose a higher-seat car such as the Vezel if you plan side roads to the beaches.
| Vehicle | Seats | Gearbox | Fuel | Per day | Per day, 2 weeks | Per day, 1 month | Per day, 3 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA PRIUS | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 16,500≈ $51 | Rs. 14,500≈ $45 | Rs. 12,000≈ $37 | Rs. 11,500≈ $36 |
| PRIUS | 4 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 17,500≈ $54 | Rs. 16,500≈ $51 | Rs. 14,000≈ $43 | Rs. 13,000≈ $40 |
| TOYOTA PRIUS | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 17,500≈ $54 | Rs. 16,500≈ $51 | Rs. 14,000≈ $43 | Rs. 13,000≈ $40 |
| TOYOTA PRIUS G SPORT | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 17,500≈ $54 | Rs. 16,500≈ $51 | Rs. 14,000≈ $43 | Rs. 13,000≈ $40 |
| TOYOTA AXIO | 4 | Automatic | Hybrid, Petrol | Rs. 20,000≈ $62 | Rs. 18,500≈ $57 | Rs. 15,000≈ $47 | Rs. 13,500≈ $42 |
| TOYOTA AXIO2 cars at this rate | 4 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 20,000≈ $62 | Rs. 18,500≈ $57 | Rs. 15,000≈ $47 | Rs. 13,500≈ $42 |
| TOYOTA AXIO2 cars at this rate | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 20,000≈ $62 | Rs. 18,500≈ $57 | Rs. 15,000≈ $47 | Rs. 13,500≈ $42 |
| TOYOTA AXIO WXB | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 20,000≈ $62 | Rs. 18,500≈ $57 | Rs. 15,000≈ $47 | Rs. 13,500≈ $42 |
| HONDA VEZEL | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 22,000≈ $68 | Rs. 20,000≈ $62 | Rs. 16,000≈ $50 | Rs. 14,000≈ $43 |
| HONDA VEZEL | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 30,000≈ $93 | Rs. 28,000≈ $87 | Rs. 24,000≈ $74 | Rs. 22,000≈ $68 |
| HONDA VEZEL | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid, Petrol | Rs. 35,000≈ $109 | Rs. 33,000≈ $102 | Rs. 30,000≈ $93 | Rs. 28,000≈ $87 |
| HONDA VEZEL2 cars at this rate | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 35,000≈ $109 | Rs. 33,000≈ $102 | Rs. 30,000≈ $93 | Rs. 28,000≈ $87 |
| TOYOTA CHR4 cars at this rate | 5 | Automatic | Petrol | Rs. 35,000≈ $109 | Rs. 33,000≈ $102 | Rs. 30,000≈ $93 | Rs. 28,000≈ $87 |
| TOYOTA CHR | 5 | Automatic | Hybrid | Rs. 35,000≈ $109 | Rs. 33,000≈ $102 | Rs. 30,000≈ $93 | Rs. 28,000≈ $87 |
Rates are read from our booking system. Fuel, expressway tolls, parking and traffic fines are paid by the hirer; the rate includes commercial rent-a-car insurance (an insurance excess applies), 24/7 breakdown support and 100 km per day. See the full price list.
More about the cars: Honda Vezel, Toyota Prius, Toyota Axio, Toyota C-HR.
Airport pickup and one-way hire
We can bring the car to Bandaranaike International Airport on request; see car rental at Colombo airport. You can also hire with a driver, who handles the road, the parking and the tolls. Tell us your flight, your dates and the number of travellers on WhatsApp. More about the place itself: car rental for Trincomalee.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Colombo airport to Trincomalee?
When is the best time to visit Trincomalee?
Can I drop the car in Trincomalee?
Can I visit Sigiriya on the way?
Other routes from the airport
- Colombo airport to Kandy
- Colombo Airport to Galle by Car
- Colombo Airport to Sigiriya by Car
- Colombo Airport to Ella by Car
- Colombo Airport to Nuwara Eliya by Car
- Colombo Airport to Yala by Car
- Colombo Airport to Anuradhapura by Car
Plan your drive to Trincomalee
Tell us your dates, your flight and the number of travellers, and we confirm the car and the price.