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Kandy is Sri Lanka's hill capital, built around a man-made lake. It holds the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the island's most revered Buddhist shrine. The town lies 66 kilometres (41 miles) northwest of Ella. The taxi gets you from Ella to Kandy in 3-4h. The bus is the cheapest option at $4.00 (1,360 LKR), though the ride is long.
Distance from Ella to Kandy
Ella and Kandy are about 66 km (41 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 136 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 3h and 7h.
4 ways to travel from Ella to Kandy
There are four ways to travel from Ella to Kandy. You can choose between the bus, train*, minivan, and taxi. The journey takes 3h–6h and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $4.00 (1,360 LKR).
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Ella to Kandy by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Ella to Kandy, with fares starting from $4.00 (1,360 LKR). The journey takes around 5 hours.
There are only a few direct intercity buses on this route, so it’s best to plan.
From Ella Bus Station (just a roadside stop, not a full terminal), direct buses usually pass at 10:30, 22:30, and 23:10. Take Bus #10, a non-AC public bus running from Kataragama to Kandy, with a stop in Ella.
Around the bus stop, you might hear from taxi drivers that buses aren’t running or are heavily delayed. That’s usually not true. Buses do arrive, though sometimes 15–30 minutes later than scheduled.
Indirect Bus
If you miss the direct bus, you can still reach Kandy by changing buses in Badulla. First, head to Ella Bus Station and catch any bus going to Badulla. Tickets cost around $1.80 (600 LKR), and the journey takes about 2 hours. At Badulla Bus Station, switch to Bus #21 going to Kandy. This leg costs around $1.40 (470 LKR) and takes about 5 hours.
Ella to Kandy by Train
The train journey from Ella to Kandy is among the most beautiful in the world, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself with a lot of competition at the train station. This is going to be a very busy journey, with both locals and tourists trying to get a seat.
This is why we highly recommend booking a train ticket online, and you have to do that at least one month before your trip. Tickets for this route sell out really fast, and you’ll want to buy them before other travel agencies do.
If you miss that deadline, you can still try to buy reserved tickets at the train station even a few days before your trip, but don’t get your hopes up.
Although more expensive than local rates, online booking is your best bet for good train seats. Tickets start at $15 (5,000 LKR) when you book via BookAway.
Trains depart from Ella Railway Station and arrive at Kandy Railway Station, both located in the city centre.
PRO TIP: This route is beautiful anywhere you look, but if you are free in choosing which side to sit, go for the left side when travelling from Ella to Kandy.
Train schedule from Ella to Kandy
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you're eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on 12Go.Asia.
Viceroy II
If you’re looking for a more luxurious train journey, you can book a seat with Viceroy II. This is a vintage train carriage that will take you back to Sri Lanka’s colonial era. Note that it is fully air-conditioned and not for those who prefer an open-air adventure.
Luxury doesn’t come cheap though, and the Viceroy II is among the most expensive options when travelling by train on the island. But it does offer plush seats, unlimited wi-fi, warm lighting, and a fully-stocked bar. You might want to bring your own food and drinks though as their rates are quite expensive. Overall, you are ensured of a very comfortable journey.
Viceroy II operates from Ella to Kandy on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Departs at 11:57 from Ella Railway Station in the city centre
- Arrives at 18:15 at Peradeniya, a suburb located west of Kandy’s city centre
- Tickets cost $20 (6,700 LKR). You can book your Viceroy II ticket via 12go.Asia or through the link below.
Unreserved seats
Your last option is to buy tickets for unreserved seats. These are available at the station on the day of your trip. Tickets for a 3rd class seat cost $0.40 (125 LKR) while 2nd class seats cost $0.90 (310 LKR). Unreserved tickets are unlimited so buying one should be easy.
Your main concern will be getting an actual seat in these jam-packed trains. If you’re not quick enough, there’s a great chance you’ll be standing for a huge part of this 6 to 7-hr journey.
You can find other train schedules beforehand on the Sri Lanka Railways website.
Ella to Kandy by Minivan
A minivan ride from Ella to Kandy costs around $33 (11,000 LKR). What we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
There are two companies operating on this route.
Tuktukdude Leisure runs a regular shared minivan shuttle from Ella to Kandy, with a travel time of about 3.5 hours. If you have more time, we recommend the scenic transfer with Magical Sri Lanka. It’s cheaper and includes stops at seven tourist spots along the way.
You'll get 5-20 minutes to explore each of these locations:
- Ramboda Waterfalls
- Ramboda Falls View Point
- Tea Estate and Tea Factory
- Red Post Office in Nuwara Eliya
- Gregory Park Lake in Nuwara Eliya
- Ashok Vatika Hindu Temple
- Seetha Amman Kovil Hindu Temple
The full journey takes around 5 hours, but it feels more like a relaxed sightseeing trip than just a transfer.
Minivan schedule from Ella to Kandy
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Ella to Kandy by Taxi
A private transfer from Ella to Kandy is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 3-4h, 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 $61 (21,000 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $18 (6,000 LKR) each.
You can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo to compare rates.
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 $71 (24,000 LKR).
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 Ella to Kandy, roughly 66 kilometres (41 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $4.00 (1,360 LKR). The quickest trip takes 3h.
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 Ella to Kandy?
The distance from Ella to Kandy is 66 kilometres (41 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ella to Kandy?
Journey times from Ella to Kandy overlap: bus 5 hours, train 6-7h, minivan 3h 30m - 5h, taxi 3-4h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ella to Kandy?
The cheapest way to get from Ella to Kandy is by bus with ticket costs starting from 1,360 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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