Quick answer
The journey from Kandy to Colombo between cricket matches takes roughly three to four hours by road, or about 2.5 to 3 hours by the scenic train through the Kadugannawa pass. By road, the best stops are the Kadugannawa viewpoint and Bible Rock, a spice garden, the Dedigama area of the Kelani valley and the Kelaniya temple on the edge of Colombo. Leave Kandy in the morning to reach Colombo by mid-afternoon.
Key takeaways
- Kandy to Colombo is roughly 115 km, about three to four hours by road depending on traffic.
- The Kandy to Colombo train takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and descends through the Kadugannawa pass.
- Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is roughly 30 to 40 minutes east of Kandy, adding time if you travel straight from the ground.
- The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, on the edge of Colombo, is a natural last stop before the city.
- Parts of the new Central Expressway are open and can shorten the drive; check the current route with your driver.
Road or rail
There are two good ways to get from Kandy to Colombo between cricket matches. By road, with a private driver, the journey takes roughly three to four hours, depending on traffic and whether the open sections of the new Central Expressway are used. A driver allows stops and door-to-door luggage.
By rail, the Kandy to Colombo train takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and is one of the most scenic short journeys on the island, dropping through the Kadugannawa pass with views over the hills. Reserved observation and first-class seats sell quickly, and luggage has to be carried to and from the stations.
For a group with bags and a match the next day, the road is easier. For a couple travelling light with a free day, the train is a memorable option.
- →Road: three to four hours, door to door.
- →Train: about 2.5 to 3 hours, plus station transfers.
- →Book train seats early, especially in July and August.
The Kadugannawa pass and Bible Rock
The Kadugannawa pass, about 30 minutes west of Kandy, is where the road and railway drop from the hill country to the lowlands. The British built the road in the 1820s, and a tall white lighthouse-style tower, the Dawson Tower, stands near the top of the pass in memory of the engineer who built it.
Just below the pass, the view opens towards Bible Rock (Bathalegala), a flat-topped mountain that looks like an open book. The road has several viewpoints, and the train passes through tunnels cut into the cliff.
The National Railway Museum at Kadugannawa, beside the line, has old locomotives and carriages and makes a short stop for rail enthusiasts.
- →Dawson Tower: at the top of the pass.
- →Bible Rock: best seen on the way down.
- →National Railway Museum: a short stop beside the line.
Spice gardens and the Kelani valley
Spice gardens along the Kandy to Colombo road show how cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves and nutmeg are grown, with a guided walk and a chance to buy. Prices in their shops can be high, so treat the walk as the main point and buy spices later in a market.
Lower down, the road passes through Kegalle and the Kelani valley, a region of rubber estates, rice fields and small towns. Dedigama, near Nelundeniya, has an ancient dagoba and a small museum, and makes a quiet stop off the main road.
Elephant attractions near Kegalle, where elephants are bathed and ridden, raise welfare concerns, and Lankan Stays & Trails does not include them.
- →Spice garden: a 30-minute walk, buy elsewhere.
- →Dedigama: an ancient dagoba and a small museum.
- →Elephant rides and shows: best avoided.
Kelaniya on the way in
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, on the north-eastern edge of Colombo, is a good last stop. The temple is one of the most important in Sri Lanka, believed to have been visited by the Buddha, and its 20th-century murals tell the island's Buddhist story.
After Kelaniya, the drive to hotels in Colombo Fort or along the Galle Road takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Arriving by mid-afternoon leaves time for a rest and a sunset on Galle Face Green.
- →Kelaniya: about an hour, modest dress.
- →Colombo hotels: 30 to 45 minutes further.
- →Galle Face Green: sunset after arrival.
Timing the move
The best time to travel from Kandy to Colombo is the morning after a Pallekele game, leaving by about 9 am. Travelling straight after a night game is possible but tiring, with a drive of four hours or more after midnight.
If a Colombo game is the next day, keep the stops short and arrive early. If there is a free day, add the spice garden, Dedigama and Kelaniya, and make the journey a full day out.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Kandy to Colombo?
Kandy to Colombo takes roughly three to four hours by road, depending on traffic and whether the open sections of the Central Expressway are used. The train takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, plus time to reach the stations. Allow extra time on weekends and public holidays.
Is the train from Kandy to Colombo scenic?
The Kandy to Colombo train is scenic, especially through the Kadugannawa pass, where it descends through tunnels with views over the hills towards Bible Rock. It is shorter and less famous than the Kandy to Ella line, but still a good way to move between venues if travelling light.
Can you travel from Pallekele to Colombo after a night game?
You can, but it is a long drive of four hours or more after midnight. Most fans stay another night in Kandy and leave the next morning. If a Colombo game is the next day, leave by about 9 am to arrive with time to rest.
What are the best stops between Kandy and Colombo?
The best stops are the Kadugannawa pass and the Dawson Tower, the view of Bible Rock, a spice garden walk, the ancient dagoba at Dedigama and the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara on the edge of Colombo. With all of them, the journey becomes a full day.
Should you visit the elephant orphanage on the way to Colombo?
Elephant attractions near Kegalle, including those where elephants are chained, bathed for crowds or ridden, raise welfare concerns. For a better experience, see wild elephants at Minneriya, Udawalawe or Kaudulla national parks, or visit the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe, which returns orphans to the wild.
Is a private driver or the train better between venues?
A private driver is easier for groups with luggage, gives door-to-door transfers and allows stops. The train is cheaper and more scenic but means carrying bags to and from stations and booking seats early. For a match the next day, the driver is usually the better choice.
Where should you stay in Colombo after Kandy?
Colombo Fort, Kollupitiya and the Galle Road are the most convenient areas, within about 15 to 45 minutes of the R Premadasa Stadium. They also have the best restaurants and are close to Galle Face Green for an evening walk after the journey.