How far is Mattala Airport from Yala National Park?

Mattala Airport is located fairly close to Yala National Park, around 40 to 50 kilometres, depending on which park gate you choose. The trip usually takes about one hour, using steady regional roads that are well paved, with no big surprises there.

That short distance makes Mattala a really nice entry point for wildlife enthusiasts. A lot of safari operators and high-end lodges around Yala provide a direct pick-up from the airport, so you can move from your flight into a wildlife safari in less than an hour, without much delay.