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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 140 kilometre distance from Kandy to Ella. 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 Kandy to Ella. You can choose between the bus, train, shared minivan, taxi. The most affordable option is by bus, starting from $3. The fastest route is by shared minivan (3h 30m).
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3h 30m
$33
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4h
$71
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4h 50m
$3
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10h
$13
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There are no direct intercity buses operating from Kandy to Ella. But Brown Tours offers bus trips on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
They’re a bit more expensive than taking the train and costs $3. Still, taking the bus is a good alternative if you don’t want to risk standing on the train for 6 hours.
Also, Brown Tours can bring you from Kandy to Ella in less than 5 hours, that’s an hour faster than taking the train. You can easily reserve a bus seat through the link below.
The train ride from Kandy to Ella is the most beautiful in Sri Lanka. It is also the busiest. Aside from locals, many tourists compete for highly-coveted seats on this famous route.
Booking your train ticket online will secure you a seat, but bear in mind that you need to book train tickets in Sri Lanka at least one month before your trip, when you book them online.
Although it is often still possible to book your tickets a few days in advance at the railway station, they might be sold out. If you miss the chance of booking a reserved ticket, be prepared to stand a part of this 6-hour journey. You can get a 2nd class unreserved ticket for 310 LKR.
Online tickets start from $13. They are more expensive, but worth it if you want to be assured of a good seat. First-class cabins are air-conditioned and ticket prices start from 22.20 USD. If you prefer open windows for your photo ops, you can go for second-class cabins at 17.50 USD.
Trains depart from Kandy Railway Station and arrive at Ella Railway Station. Both stations are in the city centre.
PRO TIP: This route is beautiful anywhere you look, but if you are free to choose which side to sit on, go for the right side when travelling from Kandy to Ella.
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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offers minivan transfers from Kandy to Ella with a unique twist—stopping at seven tourist spots along the way!
You'll get 5-20 minutes to explore each of these locations:
The taxi from Kandy to Ella will cost around . You can order one online on BookAway or use one of the taxi apps.
Ordering a taxi with Uber costs less at around 10,000 LKR, but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on availability.
If you want to do everything in order to find the cheapest rate, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo, but unfortunately, these apps have very limited availability outside the capital city, Colombo.
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Carbon Footprint
This 140 km journey produces approximately 12 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.
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Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
An exceptional homestay with stunning mountain views. You will feel right at home here with the friendly and welcoming staff. Bike and car rentals are available on-site and breakfast is included with your stay.
The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. You won’t want to check out of this homestay!
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