# Anuradhapura Airport (ACJ) > Anuradhapura, LK · 4.6 km (2.9 mi) southeast of Anuradhapura town[3] Web: https://airport.flights/airport/acj JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/acj.json ## Facts - **IATA**: ACJ - **ICAO**: VCCA - **Timezone**: Asia/Colombo - **Runways**: 1 - **Terminals**: 1 ## Overview ## Welcome Anuradhapura Airport (ACJ) is a bit of an oddball in aviation—a Sri Lanka Air Force base posing as a civilian airport. Its peculiar status means no scheduled commercial flights, no bustling terminals, and no retail or dining spots. Instead, it's primarily used for occasional charter flights between Colombo and Anuradhapura, facilitating a quick entry into the country's Cultural Triangle for travelers in the know. ## At a glance Situated approximately 4.6 kilometers southeast of Anuradhapura town, ACJ lacks the typical amenities found at commercial airports. It operates more as a quiet airstrip under military control than a passenger hub, with charter flights occasionally heading to Colombo–Ratmalana. For most travelers, the airport is essentially a ground transport node. ## Terminals & layout The airport has a single terminal, referred to simply as the Main Terminal. Without scheduled flights, it sees little use aside from charter operations by Air Senok, FitsAir, and Helitours. There's no need to navigate multiple gates or terminals here—most of the "action" happens outside with ground transport arrangements. ## Getting to and from the city With ACJ's limited services, travelers typically reach Anuradhapura by road or rail after flying into Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB). A private car transfer drives you the approximately 4-hour journey for $80 from Colombo. Alternatively, a bus ride from Colombo to Anuradhapura stretches about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the exact route taken. For those adventurous enough, the scenic Colombo–Anuradhapura railway offers an atmospheric ride right into the ancient city. ## Traveller essentials When landing at ACJ on a rare charter flight, it's essential to have a car and driver pre-arranged to pick you up, as taxi services aren't readily available. App-based services like PickMe can facilitate ground transport in Anuradhapura once there, supporting tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and taxis, effectively bypassing the need for local airport transport. ## Dining & shopping highlights As Anuradhapura Airport does not have any dining or shopping facilities, visitors need to look to Anuradhapura town for meals and retail. Local guesthouses and hotels such as Feels Like Home and Hotel Shalini may offer advice and more reliable onward connection setups than anything available at the airbase. ## Lounges No lounge facilities are available at Anuradhapura Airport, reinforcing its character as more of an airstrip than a commercial hub. Any waiting and relaxing will take place in town or at accommodation rather than at the terminal. ## Insider tips - **Insider:** If your tour suggests a "domestic flight" to Anuradhapura, double-check it's a private charter and not a non-existent scheduled service. - **Time:** Fly into Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) and plan for a 3.5–4.5-hour drive up the A9 for a practical approach to Anuradhapura. - **Local:** PickMe app is essential for getting around Anuradhapura—install it before arriving as taxis aren't waiting outside the air base. - **Insider:** Pre-book a car and driver to meet any charter flight at the gate through your hotel or travel service. - **Avoid:** Ignore Anuradhapura Airport in flight searches; it leads to misleading itinerary ideas. Focus on entering through Colombo. - **Quiet:** Photography enthusiasts should request authorization before snapping photos at the airbase, as it operates under military protocols. - **Local:** Consider the Colombo–Anuradhapura railway for a quaint, scenic, and locally flavored arrival experience. ## Terminals (1) - **Main Terminal** — Air Senok (charter to Colombo–Ratmalana), FitsAir (charter to Colombo–Ratmalana), Helitours (charter to Colombo–Ratmalana) ## Ground transport (8) - **Charter helicopter services** — Helicopter charter to air base - **Helitours** — Charter and military-affiliate - **Intercity bus Colombo–Anuradhapura** — Bus from Colombo to town · About 2 h from Negombo to Anuradhapura (user-reported); 2 h 45 min Katunayake–Anuradhapura by NCG Express (Rome2Rio) · NCG Express: twice daily Katunayake–Anuradhapura (Rome2Rio) - **Local Anuradhapura buses** — Urban and regional bus routes - **PickMe** — App-based tuk tuk and taxi in - **Private car transfer** — Road · About 5 hours drive Colombo Airport→Anuradhapura (user-reported) · $80 one way Colombo Airport→Anuradhapura; ~$120 Anuradhapura→Colombo (user-reported) - **Sri Lanka Railways Colombo–Anuradhapura line** — Train to town · Rome2Rio notes a train option from Kandy to Anuradhapura but does not provide a specific duration on the referenced page - **Tuk tuks in Anuradhapura** — Local street taxis ## Insider tips - _Insider_: If your tour suggests a "domestic flight" to Anuradhapura, double-check it's a private charter and not a non-existent scheduled service. - _Time_: Fly into Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) and plan for a 3.5–4.5-hour drive up the A9 for a practical approach to Anuradhapura. - _Local_: PickMe app is essential for getting around Anuradhapura—install it before arriving as taxis aren't waiting outside the air base. - _Insider_: Pre-book a car and driver to meet any charter flight at the gate through your hotel or travel service. - _Avoid_: Ignore Anuradhapura Airport in flight searches; it leads to misleading itinerary ideas. Focus on entering through Colombo. - _Quiet_: Photography enthusiasts should request authorization before snapping photos at the airbase, as it operates under military protocols. - _Local_: Consider the Colombo–Anuradhapura railway for a quaint, scenic, and locally flavored arrival experience.