Best Ways: How to Get from Colombo to Kandy by train, bus, taxi

Are you looking for the best ways to get from Colombo to Kandy? Kandy is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka. A scenic train ride from Colombo to Kandy is almost as popular as the iconic Kandy to Ella train, so you should add it to your Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Getting to Kandy may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are a few ways to get there. You can easily get to Kandy by train, bus, tuk tuk, or taxi.

In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Colombo to Kandy, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.

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How far is Kandy from Colombo?

The distance between Colombo and Kandy is about 120 km, which is 2.5-4 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

Getting from Colombo to Kandy

There are several ways to get to Kandy from Colombo: by train (2.5-3.5 hours), by bus (4 hours), and by taxi (2.5 hours).

Book a day trip from Colombo to Kandy via Viator.

Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a train or bus ticket will cost.

Read our → Kandy Guide

How to Get from Colombo to Kandy by train

If you’re looking for the best way to reach Kandy, we recommend taking the train instead of the bus.

The train journey from Colombo to Kandy takes 2.5-3.5 hours.

As the train is one of the most popular and cheapest modes of transport in Sri Lanka, the tickets sell out quickly at the train station! Therefore, we recommend buying them days in advance (especially in high season).

You can easily buy your train tickets online through 12Go or Bookaway!

Train from Colombo to Kandy

After arrival, if you want to continue your journey by train to Kandy, Galle, or Sigiriya, you will need to travel from Colombo Airport to Colombo Fort.

You can get to Colombo Fort Railway Station by express bus, taxi, or local bus.

Good to know
Uber and PickMe are available at Colombo Airport.

Train schedule from Colombo to Kandy

The trains run several times a day between 5:55 AM and 17:45 PM.

5:55-08:46
6:30-09:18 (Saturday & Sunday only)
7:00-09:38
8:30-11:03
10:35-13:55
12:40-15:59
15:35-18:06
16:35-19:43 (Saturday & Sunday only)
17:45-20:55

TIP
You must arrive at the railway station boarding point at least 30 minutes before departure.

Colombo to Kandy train ticket price

The direct trains to Kandy run several times a day. The first class seats start from 8 USD, and the second class seats from 5 USD per person.

Buy your train tickets online through 12Go or Bookaway!

How to Get from Colombo to Kandy by bus

Unfortunately, there is no direct bus connection from Colombo Airport to Kandy. Therefore, first you need to get to Colombo city center by Express bus, taxi or local bus.

The Express bus runs every 30 minutes between 5:30 AM and 8:30 PM. The bus ticket costs about 500 LKR (1,50 USD), and the journey takes 1 hour, depending on traffic.

Read the full post → From Colombo Airport to City Center

Local Bus

Then, from the Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal (Pettah), take the No. 1 bus to Kandy. The bus tickets start at around 4 USD per person, and the journey takes 4 hours, depending on traffic.

The local buses are uncomfortable as they are often overcrowded, and not all have air conditioning. We do not recommend traveling by bus if you have a lot of luggage as you may have to pay extra for luggage.

Between Colombo and Kandy, buses run frequently (from 4 AM to midnight), departing every 15-30 minutes.

Take care of your valuables, as minor thefts or pickpockets may occur on public transport!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

If you want to travel by bus, bring local money, as you can buy your bus ticket after boarding.

Air-Conditioned Bus

The AC buses run from the Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to the Kandy Clock Tower bus station, and the journey takes 4 hours.

Air-conditioned bus tickets start from 9 USD, and 15 kg of luggage is allowed per person. These buses are very comfortable and include toilet stops.

Get Bus Tickets.

AC Bus schedule

00:15-04:15
10:00-14:00
11:00-15:00
15:00-19:00
17:00-21:00

Getting to Kandy by tuk tuk

Although there are several ways to get to Kandy, you will need a mode of transport on arrival to discover the best attractions of Kandy.

Therefore, one of the most exciting and best ways to get from Colombo to Kandy is to rent a tuk tuk and drive there yourself.

The journey time by tuk tuk is approximately 4-6 hours. We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.

Save money, use our coupon code dittusandmate and get a 5% discount on tuktukrental.com.

Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

How to Get from Colombo to Kandy by taxi

One of the most comfortable and fastest ways to reach Kandy is by taxi.

A taxi cost from Colombo Airport to Kandy starts from 65 USD. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable! The journey time is 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

TIP
The local taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should carry local money!

Alternatively, you can book a private transfer starting from 45 USD.

Where to Stay in Kandy

Kandy has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Luxury: Earl’s Regency Hotel
Mid-Range: Earl’s Regent Hotel
Budget: Queen’s Hotel

more hotels in kandy

More Travel Guides about Sri Lanka

We hope our post on how to get from Colombo to Kandy will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

Best Ways: How to Get from Colombo to Kandy by train, bus, taxi