Quick answer
Kandy is about 115 kilometres from Colombo and can be reached by train in two and a half to three hours, by car in three to three and a half, or by bus in three to four. From Bandaranaike International Airport the drive takes three to three and a half hours. From Sigiriya or Dambulla it is two and a half to three hours by road, from Nuwara Eliya two and a half to three, and from Ella six to seven hours by train. The train from Colombo is the most scenic approach; sit on the right-hand side.
Key takeaways
- Kandy lies about 115 kilometres north-east of Colombo, at roughly 500 metres above sea level.
- Express trains from Colombo Fort to Kandy take two and a half to three hours.
- The drive from Bandaranaike International Airport to Kandy takes three to three and a half hours.
- Sigiriya to Kandy is about 90 kilometres and takes two and a half to three hours by road.
- Reserved seats on Sri Lankan trains are released about 30 days before travel and sell out on popular services.
The options at a glance
Getting to Kandy is possible by train, bus, private car or a combination. There is no commercial airport in regular use. The right choice depends on where you start and how much luggage and patience you have.
Times to Kandy from the main starting points are summarised below. All road times vary with traffic, particularly the last ten kilometres into the city, which can add 30 to 45 minutes in the evening rush.
- →Colombo: train 2.5 to 3 hours; car 3 to 3.5 hours.
- →Airport: car 3 to 3.5 hours.
- →Sigiriya or Dambulla: car 2.5 to 3 hours.
- →Nuwara Eliya: car 2.5 to 3 hours; train from Nanu Oya about 4 hours.
- →Ella: train 6 to 7 hours; car about 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
From Colombo
The train is the classic way to get from Colombo to Kandy. Several services a day leave Colombo Fort, including expresses with reserved first, second and third class. The line runs through rice fields to Rambukkana, then climbs the Kadugannawa incline through tunnels and along cliff ledges.
Driving from Colombo to Kandy follows the A1 through Kegalle and Kadugannawa, or uses the Central Expressway for part of the way, which shortens the lowland section. Air-conditioned buses run frequently from Colombo's main bus terminals and are cheap, fast and somewhat hair-raising.
- →Train: book reserved seats ahead; sit on the right for the best views going up.
- →Car: leave Colombo before 7 or after 9.30 to avoid the worst traffic.
- →Bus: frequent departures; luggage space is limited.
From the airport
Bandaranaike International Airport lies at Katunayake, north of Colombo, and the drive to Kandy takes three to three and a half hours. A pre-arranged car is the simplest option after a long flight. The route joins the Kandy road without entering Colombo.
Going straight from the airport to Kandy is reasonable for flights that land in the morning. After a late-evening arrival, a night in Negombo, 15 to 30 minutes from the airport, is safer and more restful. There is no direct train from the airport, and using public transport means going into Colombo first.
From Sigiriya, Dambulla and the Cultural Triangle
The road from Sigiriya to Kandy runs south through Dambulla and Matale on the A9, a distance of about 90 kilometres. It takes two and a half to three hours and passes the Dambulla cave temple, Nalanda Gedige, Aluvihare and the spice gardens, any of which makes a break.
Public transport from the Cultural Triangle to Kandy is by bus. Services from Dambulla run every 20 to 30 minutes and take about two and a half hours. From Sigiriya, take a local bus or tuk-tuk to Dambulla first. There is no useful train on this route.
From Nuwara Eliya and Ella
The train from Ella or Nanu Oya to Kandy is the hill-country railway in reverse, and every bit as scenic as the more popular uphill direction. Ella to Kandy takes six to seven hours and Nanu Oya to Kandy about four. Seats are often easier to reserve in this direction.
By road, Nuwara Eliya to Kandy takes two and a half to three hours down the Ramboda Pass, with tea factories and waterfalls on the way. Ella to Kandy by car takes roughly four and a half to five and a half hours. Lankan Stays & Trails often combines the two, with the train for the best section and a car to meet it.
- →Ella to Kandy: train 6 to 7 hours.
- →Nanu Oya to Kandy: train about 4 hours.
- →Nuwara Eliya to Kandy by road: 2.5 to 3 hours.
Arriving in Kandy
Arriving in Kandy by train puts you at the main station, about one kilometre west of the lake. Tuk-tuks wait outside, and the fare to central hotels is about a dollar or two. Agree it first. Peradeniya Junction, six kilometres before Kandy, is more convenient for hotels on that side.
Arriving in Kandy by road is best timed for the middle of the day. Between 4 and 7 in the evening the approaches from Peradeniya and Katugastota crawl. If your hotel is in the hills, ask for directions that avoid the centre, and call ahead, since some access lanes are too narrow for larger vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Colombo to Kandy?
The train from Colombo Fort to Kandy takes two and a half to three hours on express services and a little longer on slower trains. There are several departures each day. Reserve seats in advance for the expresses, especially at weekends.
Which side of the train is best from Colombo to Kandy?
Sit on the right-hand side of the train travelling from Colombo to Kandy. The best views, across the valley to Bible Rock and down from the ledge at Sensation Rock, are on that side during the climb from Rambukkana to Kadugannawa.
How do I get from Colombo airport to Kandy?
The easiest way from Bandaranaike International Airport to Kandy is a pre-booked private car, which takes three to three and a half hours. Public transport requires travelling into Colombo first for a train or bus, adding one to two hours.
Is there an airport in Kandy?
Kandy has no commercial airport with regular scheduled flights. Seaplane and charter services have operated to nearby reservoirs at times, at high cost and with limited availability. Almost all visitors arrive by road or rail.
How do I get from Sigiriya to Kandy without a car?
Without a car, take a local bus or tuk-tuk from Sigiriya to Dambulla, about 30 to 40 minutes, then a direct bus to Kandy, which takes around two and a half hours. Buses are frequent throughout the day and inexpensive.
Is it better to take the train or drive to Kandy from Colombo?
The train from Colombo to Kandy is more scenic, cheaper and about as fast as driving. A car is more flexible, door to door and better with heavy luggage or small children. Many travellers take the train up and continue by car from Kandy.