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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 115 kilometre distance from Colombo to Kandy. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 6 ways to get from Colombo to Kandy. You can choose between the train*, taxi, minivan, day trip, flight, bus. The most affordable option is by train*, starting from $4. The fastest route is by flight (0h 30m).
Click a column header to sort. Click a row to jump to the full guide.
30m
$153
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2h 20m
$4
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2h 40m
$18
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2h 50m
$12
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4h
$408
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12h
$90
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*Important update: The last time we checked (March 2026), trains between Colombo and Kandy were still unavailable. Cyclone Ditwah caused significant damage to parts of the Sri Lanka Railways network, and repair work is still ongoing. We suggest taking the bus or minivan from Colombo to Kandy instead.
Sri Lanka Railways operates several trips from Colombo to Kandy every day.
Fares for a reserved seat start from $4 for a non-airconditioned 3rd class train. A 2nd-class train offers more comfortable seats with ticket prices from 4.25 USD. If you want an air-conditioned ride, book a 1st class train seat with ticket prices from 6.4 USD.
We have to emphasise the word reserved because it can be really difficult to get a seat on Sri Lankan trains.
A train ride is both cheap and fast, making it the primary mode of transportation among Sri Lankans. An unreserved 2nd class train ticket from Colombo to Kandy costs only 500 LKR when you buy it at the train station. More often than not, the trains are standing room only.
Unless you’re up for that adventure for the 2.5-hour train ride, we recommend booking in advance a reserved train seat from Colombo to Kandy.
Top tip: You can best enjoy the scenic train journey in a 2nd class cabin, where you can open the windows and breathe in the fresh breeze of rural Sri Lanka. The windows don’t open in 1st class.
A private transfer from Colombo to Kandy is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes , and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Uber is the most budget-friendly option for this route, with prices starting at for a -seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about each.
If you prefer booking in advance, platforms like BookAway or 12GoAsia are great choices. They’re very reliable but come with a higher price tag, starting at 50 USD.
Hoping to find cheaper rates? You can try checking the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo. These are widely available in Colombo, but may not be easy to book for longer journeys.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Kandy is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Nestled on a plateau surrounded by misty hills and tea plantations, it is home to the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most important Buddhist sites in the country.
Also called the "Sacred City," people often stop with just the Temple of the Tooth when planning what to do in Kandy. But there are a few other places we recommend: like the World Buddhist Museum, Kandy Lake and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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A minivan ride from Colombo to Kandy costs around $18. The minivan journey takes about 2h 40m - 3h 30m, depending on traffic.
There are two companies operating on this route: Magical Sri Lanka and Real Lanka Holidays.
Minivan tickets are more expensive than bus tickets, but the advantage is that you can book them online in advance.
What we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
When you only have a day to spare in Kandy, you can join a day trip from Colombo.
Group tours last , and prices start from 90 USD per person if you’re travelling solo. If you’re booking for at least two people, the price drops to around 50 USD per person, which makes it a much better value.
A Colombo to Kandy day trip typically includes:
The flight looks like the fastest option at only 30 minutes, excl. transfers of travel time. However, both Colombo and Kandy airports are outside the city centre, making the total travel time at least 2 hours.
Cinnamon Air operates one flight daily, departing at 10:30. You can get a ticket for $153.
Flights bound for Kandy depart from Bandaranaike International Airport, about 35 km from Colombo City. These arrive at Victoria Reservoir, 25 km southeast of Kandy city centre.
The bus is a cheap alternative if you miss out on a reserved train seat and don’t want to spend the journey standing in a crowded carriage.
We recommend taking an air-conditioned bus for this route. Ordinary buses are cheaper, with ticket prices from $408, but they’re often crowded, make frequent stops, and can feel uncomfortable on longer trips.
Air-conditioned buses are a better option if you want a smoother ride. A ticket costs 740 LKR.
Look for Bus #1. You can expect to reach Kandy in about 4 hours.
In Kandy, there are two bus stops: Kandy Bus Stand and Kandy Clock Tower Bus Station. These terminals are about 600m apart and are both located in Kandy city centre.
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Carbon Footprint
This 115 km journey produces approximately 10 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
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