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Kandy was the last capital of Sri Lanka's ancient kings. It sits around a lake in the hills, 95 kilometres (59 miles) inland from Colombo. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic still draws pilgrims all year. Flying is the quickest option, taking 30 minutes. Overland, the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Kandy is the bus at $1.20 (410 LKR). The train costs a little more and is usually quicker.
Distance from Colombo to Kandy
Colombo and Kandy are about 95 km (59 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 115 km by road. The quickest way to get from Colombo to Kandy is by taking the flight, which takes around 30 minutes.
6 ways to travel from Colombo to Kandy
There are six ways to travel from Colombo to Kandy. You can choose between the bus, train*, minivan, taxi, day trip, and flight. The journey takes 30m–12h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $1.20 (410 LKR).
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Colombo to Kandy by Bus
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 $1.20 (410 LKR), 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 $2.20 (740 LKR).
Look for Bus #1. You can expect to reach Kandy in about 4 hours.
Departure and arrival stations
Buses depart from Bastian Mawatha Bus Station, across the Pettah Floating Market in the city centre.
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.
Colombo to Kandy by Train
Sri Lanka Railways operates several trips from Colombo to Kandy every day.
Fares for a reserved seat start from $3.90 (1,290 LKR) for a non-airconditioned 3rd class train. A 2nd-class train offers more comfortable seats with ticket prices from $4.30 (1,430 LKR). If you want an air-conditioned ride, book a 1st class train seat with ticket prices from $6.40 (2,150 LKR).
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 $1.50 (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.
Train schedule from Colombo to Kandy
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Alternative trains from Colombo to Kandy
Royal Saloon
Previously called Blueline Express, Royal Saloon offers the most luxurious train cabin on this route. It’s connected to Sri Lanka Railways but has its own train car (coloured yellow, red and blue). Royal Saloon departs from Colombo four times every day at 10:30, 12:40, 15:30 and 19:20. Aside from being airconditioned, the main advantage of the Royal Saloon train is its customer service. The rate of $20 (6,500 LKR) includes food and tea, which are served onboard. Royal Saloon trains depart from Colombo Fort Railway Station and arrive at Kandy Railway Station.Ella Odyssey
Ella Odyssey is a special train operating from Colombo to Kandy and all the way to Badulla. What makes this train different is that it stops or slows down at several tourist attractions along the way. That’s great — if you’re travelling up to Ella. This train doesn’t make any tourist stop until after you get off at Kandy. So we don’t think it’s worth taking an Ella Odyssey train for this route. It’s more expensive, and it doesn’t really give you any advantage over taking a first-class train. A train ticket for Ella Odyssey costs $21 (6,900 LKR). It departs from Colombo only twice a week: on Thursday and Saturday at 05:30 in the morning.Viceroy II*
UPDATE: The last time we checked (October 2024), Viceroy II had suspended operations. Please click the link provided to see if anything has changed. The Viceroy II is a whole other experience. It is a refurbished cabin that looks a lot like a Victorian saloon. With its posh chairs and dim lighting, you will feel like a British monarch travelling in Ceylon. Note that Viceroy II only operates from Colombo to Kandy on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. A ticket costs $15 (5,100 LKR) and the journey takes 2 hours 45 minutes.- Departs at 09:45 from the Fort Railway Station in Colombo
- Arrives at 12:31 at Peradeniya, a suburb located west of Kandy’s city centre
The risk of unreserved seats
There is a high demand for train tickets in Sri Lanka, especially for famous routes like this one. Fortunately, Sri Lanka has launched a new ticketing system where you can book train tickets up to two days in advance — that is, if tickets are still available for that route at that time. If you miss that, you can also buy unreserved tickets at the train station on the day of your trip. Train schedules are available on the Sri Lanka Railways website. Note that because this is an unreserved seat, there is a huge chance you will be standing throughout this 2.5-hour journey. If you don’t want to take that risk and are willing to pay a few more dollars, we highly recommend booking your reserved train tickets in advance online through 12go.Asia or BookAway. You can also book directly through the Sri Lanka Railways website but note that they require a local phone number to complete your booking. Check out our page on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka for more info.Colombo to Kandy by Minivan
A minivan ride from Colombo to Kandy costs around $18 (6,100 LKR). 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.
Minivan schedule from Colombo to Kandy
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Colombo to Kandy by Taxi
A private transfer from Colombo to Kandy is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2h 50m - 3h 40m, 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 $36 (12,000 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $13 (4,200 LKR) 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 (17,000 LKR).
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.
Colombo to Kandy by Day Trip
When you only have a day to spare in Kandy, you can join a day trip from Colombo.
Group tours last 12h, and prices start from $90 (30,000 LKR) per person if you’re travelling solo. If you’re booking for at least two people, the price drops to around $50 (17,000 LKR) per person, which makes it a much better value.
A Colombo to Kandy day trip typically includes:
- Roundtrip transfers
- A visit to the sacred Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- A stop at the Royal Botanical Gardens (separate entrance fee of $11 (3,540 LKR)
- Sightseeing from a viewpoint in Kandy
- A tea factory tour
It’s worth noting that a day or two is enough to explore Kandy. But we don’t recommend going back to Colombo immediately after. From Kandy, you can travel south to the town of Ella. The train ride from Kandy to Ella is said to be one of the most scenic in the World!
Day Trip tickets are available on GetYourGuide.
Colombo to Kandy by Flight
Taking a flight from Colombo to Kandy might seem like the quickest option, but it’s not as fast as it looks. Once you factor in transfers to and from both airports, the total journey takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, even though the flight itself is only 30 minutes.
Flights to Kandy depart from Bandaranaike International Airport, about 35 km from Colombo City. You'll arrive at Cinnamon Air Seaplane Jetty near Victoria Golf Resort, about 23 km southeast of Kandy city centre.It's also the most expensive option at $170 (56,000 LKR) and not the most eco-friendly choice. Short-haul flights can be up to 10x more polluting than travelling by train or bus.
That said, there is one big highlight. You’ll be flying in a small plane, which means incredible views along the way — definitely a memorable experience if you don’t mind the extra cost.
Flights on this route operate daily from November to April. From May to October, there are typically no flights, so it’s best to check the Cinnamon Air website for the latest schedule. If you decide to fly, you can book your tickets using the link below.TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Kandy?
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.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Colombo to Kandy, roughly 95 kilometres (59 miles) apart. In all, there are 6 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $1.20 (410 LKR). The quickest trip takes 30m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Colombo to Kandy?
The distance from Colombo to Kandy is 95 kilometres (59 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Kandy?
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Kandy is by flight and takes 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Kandy?
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Kandy is by bus with ticket costs starting from 410 LKR.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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