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Nuwara Eliya sits high in Sri Lanka's tea hills. Plantations climb the slopes around it, and the air stays cool all year. Ella is 33 kilometres (21 miles) away through the same hill country. The shared minivan is the quickest way to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, taking 1h 30m. The bus is the cheapest option at $2.90 (975 LKR).
Distance from Ella to Nuwara Eliya
Ella and Nuwara Eliya are about 33 km (21 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 60 km by road. The quickest way to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is by taking the shared minivan, which takes around 1h 30m.
4 ways to travel from Ella to Nuwara Eliya
There are four ways to travel from Ella to Nuwara Eliya. You can choose between the bus, train*, shared minivan, and taxi. The journey takes 1h 30m–3h and the quickest way is by shared minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $2.90 (975 LKR).
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Ella to Nuwara Eliya by Bus
The local bus is the cheapest way to travel from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, with fares starting at $2.90 (975 LKR) for an ordinary bus. If you go for a semi-luxury bus, fares are slightly higher at about $4.00 (1,330 LKR).
That said, both options are quite basic and come with wooden seats. They’re not the most comfortable for a journey of 3 hours, but the open windows and scenic views can make the ride more enjoyable.
Bus #31-1 operates on this route, but there are only a few departures each day. It’s best to ask your hotel or a trusted local for the latest timings or when the bus passes through Ella. The journey ends at Nuwara Eliya Main Bus Station in the city centre.
Ella to Nuwara Eliya by Train
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 $3.00 (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 (5,900 LKR) 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 $3.00 (1,000 LKR) or a bus for $0.20 (70 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.
Train schedule from Ella to Nuwara Eliya
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
One train option you cannot book via BookAway is the more luxurious Viceroy II. This is a restored, fully air-conditioned train featuring posh interiors, soft seats, pleasant lighting and even wi-fi.
Imagine yourself as a British monarch on the way to the so-called “Little England” during the ride!
A ticket costs $15 (5,100 LKR), just a few dollars more expensive than a 1st class seat on Sri Lanka Railways.
Viceroy II operates from Ella to Nuwara Eliya on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Departs at 11:57 from Ella Railway Station in the city centre
- Arrives at 14:35 at Nanu Oya Railway Station, 10 km west of Nuwara Eliya city centre
Why we don’t recommend booking unreserved seats
Unreserved train tickets are unlimited and affordable. An unreserved 3rd class seat from Ella to Nuwara Eliya costs $0.20 (60 LKR) while a 2nd class seat costs $0.30 (110 LKR). You can buy them at the train station on the day of your trip. For train schedules, visit the Sri Lanka Railways website.
Note that while buying unreserved tickets is pretty easy, getting a seat on this busy route is the exact opposite! You will have to compete with both locals and tourists for a seat in the unreserved cabins, and there’s a high chance you’ll lose.
Better avoid this stressful experience and enjoy this epic ride to the maximum by booking a reserved seat!
If you missed the 1-month deadline to book a reserved ticket online, we suggest that you try to book at the train station in Ella or with a trusted agency. They charge a higher price, but they guarantee to get you good seats.
Check out recommended travel agencies and other booking options on our page on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka.
Ella to Nuwara Eliya by Shared Minivan
A minivan ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya costs around $22 (7,200 LKR). The minivan journey takes about 1h 30m, depending on traffic.
On this route, Magical Sri Lanka 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.
Shared Minivan schedule from Ella to Nuwara Eliya
Shared Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Ella to Nuwara Eliya by Taxi
A private transfer from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2-4h, 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 $29 (9,500 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $11 (3,590 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 $43 (14,000 LKR).
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, roughly 33 kilometres (21 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $2.90 (975 LKR). The quickest trip takes 1h 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 Ella to Nuwara Eliya?
The distance from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is 33 kilometres (21 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya?
The fastest way to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is by shared minivan and takes 1h 30m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya?
The cheapest way to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is by bus with ticket costs starting from 975 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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