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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 55 kilometre distance from Ella 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 4 ways to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya. You can choose between the shared minivan, train, taxi, bus. The most affordable option is by shared minivan, starting from $14. The fastest route is by shared minivan (1h 30m).
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1h 30m
$14
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2h
$42
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2h 30m
$18
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3h
$70
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A minivan ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya costs around . The minivan journey takes about , depending on traffic.
On this route, includes stops at two popular tourist attractions: Ashok Vatika Hindu Temple and Seeta Amman Kovil Hindu Temple. You’ll have 5-20 minutes to explore each site.
They also offer free hotel pickup and drop-off, saving you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
The train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is the most scenic train route in Sri Lanka, followed closely by the route from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy. It is a short journey at just 2.5 hours, so make the most of it by enjoying this beautiful view from the window or by catching the fresh winds while hanging out of the wagon (be careful though!).
Sri Lanka Railways offers several trips a day and if you’re lucky, you can buy a 1st class ticket for 1,000 LKR on the day of your trip at the train station. However, we recommend booking a slightly cheaper reserved 2nd class seat for the ultimate experience. Second-class cabins are not air-conditioned, but you can open the windows to let the fresh breeze in.
Tickets for reserved seats often sell out fast, especially for this famous route. If you really want to secure a good seat, we recommend booking a ticket online at least a month before your trip. Ticket prices start at $18 when you book with BookAway.
PRO TIP: For the best views, take a seat on the left side of the train when leaving Ella and while nearing haputale, keep your eye on the right side.The train departs from Ella Railway Station in the city centre and arrives at Nanu Oya Railway Station, 10 km west of Nuwara Eliya city centre.
From Nanu Oya, you have two options to get to the city centre: a tuk-tuk for 500 LKR or a bus for 20 LKR. Tuk-tuks are easily available outside the train station. To take the bus, you have to walk about 50 m to the nearest bus stop, where buses pass by every 20 to 30 minutes. Travel time to the centre is about 20 minutes.
You can check the train schedules below and book your tickets up to 30 days before your travel date with the table below.
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.
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You can get a taxi from Ella to Nuwara Eliya for around 6,000 LKR via Uber, but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on availability. If you’re hoping to find the cheapest rates, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo. But, unfortunately, these apps have limited availability outside the capital city, Colombo.
On the off chance that none of the above options is available, you can also book a taxi via BookAway for .
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Carbon Footprint
This 55 km journey produces approximately 5 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.
Latin America
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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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