Dambulla sits on the A9 highway, the main road running north from Colombo through the Cultural Triangle to Jaffna. It is well connected by bus from all directions.
From Colombo: Buses run regularly from the Bastian Mawatha (Pettah) bus stand to Dambulla; the journey takes about 3.5 hours. Air-conditioned private coaches also run this route.
From Kandy: Regular buses from Kandy's main bus stand; about 2 hours. This is the most common approach for travellers coming from the hill country.
From Sigiriya: Dambulla is 20 km south of Sigiriya. Tuk-tuks and taxis make the run in under 30 minutes. No direct bus; take any bus toward Dambulla on the Sigiriya road.
From Polonnaruwa: About 65 km east on the A11; buses take around 2 hours.
There is no rail connection to Dambulla.