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Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's hill-country tea town, 39 kilometres (24 miles) south of Kandy. Cool air, clipped hedges and colonial bungalows earned it the nickname Little England. The taxi is the quickest way to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, taking 2h 45m - 3h. The bus is the cheapest at $1.70 (570 LKR), though it takes 4h. The train winds through the tea fields, if you'd rather sit back and watch the hills go by.
Distance from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are about 39 km (24 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 73 km by road. The quickest way to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is by taking the taxi, which takes around 2h 45m - 3h.
4 ways to travel from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
There are four ways to travel from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. You can choose between the bus, train*, shared minivan, and taxi. The journey takes 2h 45m–4h and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $1.70 (570 LKR).
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Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by Bus
Taking the bus from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is an affordable way to travel from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and a great way to experience local life. It’s not as comfortable or scenic as the train, but it’s budget-friendly and straightforward.
Buses run every 30 minutes throughout the day. Tickets cost $1.70 (570 LKR) for an air-conditioned bus and around $0.90 (300 LKR) for an ordinary bus.
The last bus leaves at 18:00 from Goods Shed Bus Stand, a short tuk-tuk ride from Kandy city centre. The journey takes about 4h and drops you at Nuwara Eliya Bus Station in the city centre.
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by Train
Nuwara Eliya is a popular destination in Sri Lanka for its temperate climate and rolling tea estates. But you can get a close look at these plantations and their farmers even before you set foot in the city if you take the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
You can buy tickets at the train station on the day of your trip. But most probably only unreserved seats will be available, with fares starting at $0.50 (170 LKR).
Because this is such a busy route, you might want to book reserved seats online at least a month before your trip. Train ticket prices start at $3.90 (1,290 LKR). The 1st class cabin is air-conditioned, but we prefer the open windows in 2nd class—tickets are cheaper, and the seats are perfect for photo ops!
Trains depart from Kandy Railway Station in the city centre and arrive at Nanu Oya Railway Station, 10 km west of Nuwara Eliya city centre.
From Nanu Oya, you will have to take a tuk-tuk or a bus for 20 minutes to get to the city centre. You can easily find a tuk-tuk outside the station, and they normally charge $3.00 (1,000 LKR). Taking a bus is a lot cheaper at $0.20 (70 LKR). But you will have to walk about 50 m to the bus sto,p and the buses run only every 20 to 30 minutes.
The ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is picturesque anywhere you look, but we think it is best to sit on the right side of the train for this journey. You can check the train schedule below.
Train schedule from Kandy 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
Another train option that you can’t book with BookAway but only on 12GoAsia is the more luxurious Viceroy II. Its tickets cost a bit more than a 1st class cabin at $17 (5,800 LKR). But with an air-conditioned train, soft seats, wi-fi on-board, and pleasant lighting, you will have a comfortable 3.5-hour journey.
Its bar is fully-stocked, but drinks are a bit more expensive. Best to bring your own food and drinks for the journey.
Viceroy II operates from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
- Departs at 12:35 from Peradeniya, a suburb located west of Kandy’s city centre
- Arrives at 18:27 at Nanu Oya Railway Station, 10 km west of Nuwara Eliya city centre
- Tickets cost $17 (5,800 LKR). You can book your Viceroy II ticket at the link below.
Buying tickets at a local agency or at the train station
If you missed that 1-month limit for booking trains, you can still try to book reserved seats with the help of an agency. You will find a lot of them when you arrive in Sri Lanka, but you can also try an earlier booking online. Note that agencies charge a higher price, but they give you a better chance of securing a ticket.
Visit Sri Lanka Tours is a highly-recommended agency that can help you book your tickets even a few days prior to your preferred date. The nearer the date, the lower the chances. But they promise to give you a full refund if your desired tickets are unavailable.
A cheaper option is to try buying tickets directly at train stations. You can book any route at any train station, so we recommend that you buy all your needed tickets at once. Note that chances for unreserved tickets are quite low when buying on the same day.
If you want more info about booking your train tickets in Sri Lanka check out our page on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka.
Warning for unreserved seats to Nuwara Eliya
If you’re really keen on taking the Sri Lanka Railway from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, the last resort is to buy a ticket for an unreserved seat at the train station on the day of your trip.
Tickets for a 3rd class seat cost $0.30 (95 LKR) while 2nd class seats cost $0.50 (170 LKR). Apart from being cheap, these tickets are unlimited, so you wouldn’t have a hard time buying them.
But don’t be fooled by their price! Although the tickets are unlimited, the seats are not. You will be lucky to get a seat at all as the train cars will be full of locals taking advantage of the cheap fare.
Standing in a jam-packed train for more than 3 hours can get uncomfortable and will take away your focus from the beautiful view outside.
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by Shared Minivan
- Ramboda Waterfalls
- Ramboda Falls View Point
- Tea Estate and Tea Factory
- Gregory Park Lake in Nuwara Eliya
Shared Minivan schedule from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Shared Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by Taxi
A private transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2h 45m - 3h, 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 $25 (8,400 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $11 (3,690 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 $44 (15,000 LKR).
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, roughly 39 kilometres (24 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $1.70 (570 LKR). The quickest trip takes 2h 45m.
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 Kandy to Nuwara Eliya?
The distance from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is 39 kilometres (24 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya?
The fastest way to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is by taxi and takes 2h 45m - 3h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya?
The cheapest way to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is by bus with ticket costs starting from 570 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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