How to get to Yala National Park

The gateway to Yala National Park is the small town of Tissamaharama, often called Tissa for short. It’s the closest town to the main entrance of the park (Block 1), and where most safari tours begin—especially early morning ones.

Here are the most common ways to reach Tissa:

From Ella: This is a popular route. You can arrange a private driver through your accommodation. We did this and left in the afternoon, arriving in Tissa by early evening. The drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours.

By Bus: Local buses run between Ella, Wellawaya, and Tissamaharama, but be prepared for a longer and less comfortable journey. This option is very budget-friendly.

From the South Coast (Mirissa, Tangalle, or Galle): Tissa is also easily accessible from Sri Lanka’s southern beaches. The drive takes around 2–4 hours, depending on your starting point.

By Taxi/Transfer App (PickMe or Uber): These apps can work in some regions, but don’t count on them for the full journey. In many cases, a pre-arranged driver is the most reliable.