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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 165 kilometre distance from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya. 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 3 ways to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya. You can choose between the train, bus, taxi. The most affordable option is by train, starting from $12. The fastest route is by taxi (5h ).
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5h
$140
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6h
$12
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6h
$15
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Taking the train from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya might take a bit longer than the bus or car, but the scenic views make it all worth it.
Luckily, it’s a nice way to travel like a local and enjoy the scenic views of landscapes and villages you will pass by during the train journey.
Keep in mind that you have to reserve your seats with Sri Lanka Railways at least one month before your travel date when booking online. Fares start at $12 on BookAway.
These tickets are unlimited and you can easily buy them at the train station on the day of your trip. Check out Sri Lanka Railways website to see the schedules for 2nd and 3rd class seats.
Note that while unreserved tickets are unlimited, the seats are not!
You will have to fight your way to get a seat at the crowded unreserved cabins. And if you think you got one, there is a chance that locals will do their best effort to claim the seat from you.
That means standing in a crowded train for around 3 hours until you reach Kandy, where many passengers get off.
Instead of risking your supposedly scenic train ride, we suggest booking reserved tickets via a local agency when you are too late to book online. Some of them can get you reserved train tickets even a few days before your trip.
For more info and other booking options, visit our page on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka.
From Nanu Oya, you have the option to take either a tuk-tuk or a bus to the city centre. This trip to the centre takes around 20 minutes and you can find the tuk-tuks outside of the station for rates starting at 500 LKR.
If you want to take the bus, you will have to walk about 50m to the bus stop, where buses pass every 20 to 30 minutes.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Koh Tao is a premier diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand, widely known as one of the most affordable places in the world to obtain your PADI certification. Beyond diving, the island offers beautiful bays, pristine beaches, stunning viewpoints, coral gardens, and abundant marine life.
When taking the bus from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya, you have 2 options: taking the local bus or a more comfortable tourist bus.
We recommend taking the tourist bus because local buses make multiple pick-up and drop-off stops along the way. This means that the actual travel time to Nuwara Eliya on a local bus can be longer than 6h.
When travelling in a group, you can also take a taxi from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya. This gives you the advantage of travelling door-to-door, without the need to worry about train or bus schedules.
The taxi from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya will cost around 14,900 LKR when you book with Uber, but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on the availability.
If you want to do everything to find the cheapest rate, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo. These are widely available in Colombo, but not very easy to book when you’re travelling long distances.
You can also order a private transfer online via BookAway for .
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Carbon Footprint
This 165 km journey produces approximately 15 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.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Popular budget resort with pool, located on Sairee Beach. Walking distance to dive shops and restaurants.
800 THB/night ($24)
Beachfront bungalows with balconies overlooking Sairee Beach. On-site restaurant and dive center.
2,200 THB/night ($66)
Luxury resort with private beach, infinity pool, and spa. Perfect for couples wanting extra comfort.
6,500 THB/night ($195)
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