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Nuwara Eliya is a hill town in Sri Lanka's tea country. The British built it as a retreat from the heat. Mock-Tudor houses and cool air earned it the nickname Little England. It lies 100 kilometres (62 miles) inland from Colombo. The taxi is the quickest way to make the trip, taking 4h 20m - 5h. The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is the bus at $3.90 (1,300 LKR).
Distance from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya
Colombo and Nuwara Eliya are about 100 km (62 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 156 km by road. The quickest way to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is by taking the taxi, which takes around 4h 20m - 5h.
3 ways to travel from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya
There are three ways to travel from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya. You can choose between the bus, train*, and taxi. The journey takes 4h 20m–6h and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $3.90 (1,300 LKR).
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Colombo to Nuwara Eliya by Bus
Local buses are available to almost any destination from Colombo. Bus route #79 will take you from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya in around 6h, but it can take longer as buses stop frequently along the way.
For a more comfortable trip, we recommend choosing an air-conditioned bus, with fares starting from $3.90 (1,300 LKR).
Ordinary and semi-luxury buses are cheaper at $2.10 (710 LKR) and $2.90 (970 LKR). But they can get crowded, and with basic wooden seats and no air conditioning, they’re not the most comfortable option.
Bus route #79 departs from Colombo Central Bus Stand in the city centre and arrives at Nuwara Eliya Main Bus Station, which is also in the city centre.
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya by Train
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, when booking online, you have to reserve your seats with Sri Lanka Railways at least 1 month before your travel date. Fares start at $12 (3,900 LKR) on BookAway.
Reserved or unreserved seats?
Tickets for an unreserved 3rd-class seat from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya are much cheaper, at $1.30 (420 LKR) and $0.80 (275 LKR) for 2nd- and 3rd-class seats, respectively.
These tickets are unlimited, and you can easily buy them at the train station on the day of your trip. Check out the 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.
Where can I find the railway stations?
Trains depart from Fort Railway Station in Colombo city centre and arrive at Nanu Oya Railway Station, west of Nuwara Eliya city centre.
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 the station for rates starting at $3.00 (1,000 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.
Train schedules of Sri Lanka Railways from Colombo to Nanu Oya Railway Station
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya by Taxi
A private transfer from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 4h 20m - 5h, 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 $53 (18,000 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $26 (8,700 LKR) each.
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.
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 $105 (35,000 LKR).
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya, roughly 100 kilometres (62 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $3.90 (1,300 LKR). The quickest trip takes 4h 20m.
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 Nuwara Eliya?
The distance from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is 100 kilometres (62 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya?
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is by taxi and takes 4h 20m - 5h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya?
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is by bus with ticket costs starting from 1,300 LKR.
What is the train schedule from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya?
How much is a train ticket from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya?
How often do buses run to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo?
How much does it cost to travel by bus from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya?
Can you travel by helicopter between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya?
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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