Kandy is one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka and is considered the ‘gateway’ to the hill country because of the numerous waterfalls, tea plantations, and mountain peaks surrounding it.
It also has some of the best cafes and restaurants on the island, making it a great base from which to explore the country.
Since so many travelers skip Colombo altogether and start in Kandy, we figured it would be a good idea to share the best ways to get from Colombo to Kandy (or straight from Colombo Airport to Kandy).
There are quite a few options. You can take the train, taxi, public bus, rent a tuk-tuk, or book a day tour of the city (if you only have a few days in Sri Lanka).
Colombo To Kandy (Distance + Cost)
The distance from Colombo to Kandy is 145 kilometers. Depending on your choice of transportation, it takes 3-5 hours to reach Kandy town.
- Colombo to Kandy by Train = 2-3 hours ($12-15)
- Colombo to Kandy by Taxi = 2-3 hours ($35-80)
- Colombo to Kandy by Bus = 3-4 hours ($1-2)
- Colombo to Kandy by Tuk-tuk = 3 – 4 hours ($14/day + $5 for petrol on the way)
- Colombo to Kandy via a Day Tour = All Day ($80)
How To Get From Colombo To Kandy
The most popular method is to go by train, so we’ll give you all the current train timetables and ticket prices. However, we’ll also discuss other ways to get between cities, like taking a public bus, hiring a taxi, booking a day tour, or renting a tuk-tuk and driving yourself.
Each option has advantages and disadvantages, so let’s explore them, starting with the Sri Lankan train!
1. Colombo to Kandy Train
The train is the most popular way tourists in Sri Lanka travel. This is primarily because the famous blue train to Ella actually starts in Colombo and passes through Kandy before continuing onto Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, and eventually reaching Ella.
The trains vary in price and comfort, depending on which class you choose, but they are generally affordable.
It’s also nice to avoid traffic, which can be backed up between Colombo and Kandy.
The trip takes about 2.5 hours, but it’s important to note that less than 50% of trains in Sri Lanka are on time. So, plan for a bit of a delay, just in case.
Colombo To Kandy Train Timetables
8-12 trains depart every day from Colombo Fort Railey Station. Here is the train timetable from Colombo Fort to Kandy;
- Train #1005: 5:55 – 8:47 (Express Train with A/C) – Recommended Train
- Train #1001: 6:30 – 9:03 (A.C Intercity)*
- Train #1009: 7:00 – 9:38 (A.C Intercity)
- Train #1015: 8:30 – 11:03 (Intercity Train with A/C ) – Recommended Train
- Train # 1007: 9:45 – 12:25 (Colombo Commuter)
- Train #1019: 10:35 – 14:00 (Express Train)
- Train #1023: 12:40 – 17:20 (Intercity)
- Train #1029: 15:35 – 18:08 (Express Train)
- Train #1037: 17:10 – 19:44 (Long Distance)
Colombo to Kandy Train Ticket Price
The cost of a train ticket from Kandy to Colombo depends on the class of travel you opt for. Still, they’re all relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of transportation between cities.
Unreserved, economy tickets can be purchased for as low as $1 USD, while 1st-class and 2nd-class tickets are slightly more expensive, at around $16-20 USD.
1st Class Tickets ($16): This is the most luxurious train ticket from Colombo to Kandy, yet it’s hardly more expensive than other tickets. These cars have reclinable seats, Wi-Fi, and A/C throughout the carriage. The only downside is that the windows don’t open.
2nd Class Reserved Tickets ($14): There’s no A/C or Wi-Fi in 2nd class, but the seats are comfy, the windows open, and passengers can access the doorways between cars if they need some fresh air (or watch to snag a photo hanging out the side of the train).
3rd Class Reserved Seats ($13): The price is slightly less for 3rd class tickets, primarily because the seats are slightly less comfortable. But at least you won’t be stuck standing!
2nd/3rd class Unreserved seats (less than $1): The most affordable option for train travel in Sri Lanka, but don’t expect comfort. These trains DO NOT sell out, meaning they’ll squeeze as many people as possible onto the train and expect to be standing for the entire trip.
2. Take the Bus From Colombo to Kandy
Both standard and luxury buses will take you from Colombo to Kandy. The most significant difference is that the luxury buses have A/C (for us, this is essential) and more luggage space.
All buses from Colombo to Kandy start from the Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus terminal and take 3-4 hours to reach Kandy.
The bus route number is Route 1, and tickets are just LKR 250-400 ($1-2), making this the most affordable way to travel between Kandy and Colombo. Since the prices are nearly equal for luxury vs. standard buses, we recommend waiting for the luxury bus with A/C.
Public Buses operate between 3:30 A.M. and 11:00 P.M.
There are over 100 buses that travel from Colombo to Kandy every day (5-10 per hour). You can find the full timetable here.
3. Take A Day Tour To Kandy
If you have a week or less in Sri Lanka, it’s probably best to take a day trip to Kandy from Colombo rather than spend the night there.
There are several awesome day trips from Colombo, but Kandy is one of the most popular.
This isn’t typically how we like to travel, but that’s because we usually have more than a couple of days in a city and time to prep/plan many logistics ourselves.
Most day tours heading for Kandy include all transportation, tickets, and entrance fees.
4. Hire a Private Taxi
Hiring a private driver for intercity transportation can be expensive in Sri Lanka (especially with the ongoing fuel crises), but sometimes, this convenience is worth the extra cost.
You can cut the price by booking online or splitting the cost with your travel buddies.
However, it’s honestly a bit difficult to find a taxi driver willing to take you from Colombo to Kandy on the spot. You’ll have more luck with Uber (which is active in Colombo) or the local app PickMe.
PickMe tends to be a little cheaper, but you’ll need a local SIM Card with a Sri Lankan number.
It’s way easier to prearrange a transfer online. This saves you the stress of the unknown and guarantees you’ll have a ride when needed.
5. Drive Yourself Via Tuk-tuk
If you enjoy adventure, renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka is an experience you should absolutely take advantage of!
It was one of the highlights of our trip, and we reminisce about it all the time!
Over a span of two weeks, we traveled nearly 1,000 kilometers in our little blue tuk-tuk, traveling from Colombo to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and Trincomalee and eventually ending up in Kandy!
We used Tuktukrental.com, which partners with local families to rent out their tuk-tuks to travelers, and were thoroughly impressed by them.
They handled getting us a Sri Lankan driver’s license. It costs $40, but this typically takes over 3+ days and multiple trips to the government office on your own. We also got full insurance and a one-hour driving lesson before we hit the road.
Prices are based on the duration of your tuk-tuk rental and the pick-up/drop-off locations.
They promote $14/day as their best rate, but only if you rent the tuk-tuk for a few months. Realistically, you should expect to pay closer to $20/day + the license fee. We also spent $59 to return the tuk-tuk in Kandy.
Where To Stay In Kandy
Kandy is an excellent place to spend more than a day. We were here for over a week and still didn’t feel like we saw everything we had hoped to!
The closer you are to Kandy Lake, the more convenient everything will be in town, but it’s pretty easy to get around regardless. We stayed in an affordable guesthouse (Villa Serene) on the city’s north side and felt it was pretty convenient!
Villa Serene
We stayed at Villa Serene in Kandy and thought it was everything we could have needed for the price. The villa was spacious, with large rooms, and the owners made us feel so at home.
There’s also a rooftop with a fantastic view of the city.
They rent out the rooms separately and the entire villa to large parties, so you may need to message them to see if single rooms are available.
Skyloft Kandy
Skyloft Kandy is one of the best mid-range hotels in the hills above Kandy. This does mean it’s a little far from the city center, but you can drive to the Royal Botanical Gardens or the Train Station in less than 5 minutes, and the main town is only 10-15 minutes by tuk-tuk.
The hotel is incredibly clean and feels very modern. It offers a complimentary breakfast and has an infinity pool overlooking the hills!
Earl’s Regency Hotel
If you’re looking for luxury in Kandy, Earl’s Regency Hotel is the place to book.
The 5-star hotel is situated just outside of Kandy Town and offers a level of comfort that’s difficult to find in Sri Lanka. All rooms have large bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a private terrace. The hotel also has a fitness center, a pool with lounge chairs, and an in-house restaurant/bar and nightclub.
Closing Thoughts
Of all the places we stayed in Sri Lanka, Kandy was one of our favorites.
It’s a city you shouldn’t leave on your itinerary, even with limited time. There are loads of cafes in town, fun shopping districts, and the Royal Botanical Gardens were even better than we expected!
We hope this helps you feel more confident about the trip from Colombo to Kandy.
The journey by train is probably the most convenient, but if you’re coming directly from the airport, we’d encourage you to arrange a private transfer from there.
