Best Ways: How to Get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka? Nuwara Eliya is one of the best destinations in Sri Lanka, so don’t miss it on your Sri Lanka Itinerary.
Getting to Nuwara Eliya may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can easily get to Nuwara Eliya by train, bus, taxi, or private transfer.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a train ticket or taxi will cost.
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Getting from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
The distance between Nuwara Eliya and Colombo is about 170 km, which is 5-7 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
There are several ways to get to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo: by taxi (5 hours), by train (6-7 hours), and by bus (6 hours).
Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or bus ticket will cost.
Colombo Airport to Nuwara Eliya by Taxi, Private Transfer
One of the most comfortable and fastest ways to reach Nuwara Eliya is by taxi. The journey time is 5 hours, depending on traffic.
A taxi from Colombo Bandaranaike Airport to Nuwara Eliya starts from 90 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable!
The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from the airport to Nuwara Eliya starting from 109 USD, and 6 pax are allowed.
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Colombo to Nuwara Eliya by Train
If you want to travel to Nuwara Eliya by train, you will first need to get from Colombo Airport to Colombo Fort. You can get to Colombo Fort Railway Station by express bus, taxi, minivan, or local bus.
Book your minivan to Colombo Fort HERE.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Colombo Airport to the City with all the information you need.
Nuwara Eliya does not have its own railway station, so you must first travel to Nanu Oya by train and then take a tuk tuk to Nuwara Eliya. The train journey takes 6-7 hours.
During the train ride, you can enjoy beautiful views along the tea plantations. However, if you do not reserve a seat in advance, you may have to travel standing up for up to 6 hours.
As all trains to Nanu Oya pass through Kandy, consider getting off in Kandy and spending 1-2 days there. After that, continue your journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya.
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya Train Ticket Price
The direct trains to Nanu Oya run several times a day. The first-class train tickets start from 9 USD, and the second-class tickets from 6 USD.
Colombo to Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) Train Timetable
- 05:30-12:02 (Thursday & Saturday only)
- 05:55-13:04 (daily)
- 08:30-14:31 (daily)
- 09:45-16:04 (daily)
- 12:40-21:19 (daily)
- 20:30-03:39 (daily)
Train schedules are subject to change, so always check the up-to-date timetable between Colombo and Nanu Oya here.
Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya
When you arrive in Nanu Oya, you can take a local bus or tuk tuk to Nuwara Eliya. Buses run every 20-30 minutes, and bus tickets cost just 0.50 USD per person. It takes about 20 minutes by tuk tuk and costs 500 LKR (1.50 USD) for a ride.
See also → Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya by Bus
The cheapest way to get to Nuwara Eliya is by No. 79 bus for just 2-3 USD. But the bus ride takes about 6-7 hours, depending on traffic and multiple stops. Local buses have no fixed schedule and are usually not air-conditioned.
The tourist A/C buses depart from Bastian Mawatha Bus Station and arrive at the Nuwara Eliya Main Bus Station. The journey time is about 6 hours, depending on traffic.
Bus Ticket Price & Timetable
Buses run twice daily at 10 AM and 1 PM for just 13 USD.
Day Trip to Nuwara Eliya
Are you spending limited time in Sri Lanka but want to make the most of your visit? For the ultimate experience, book a 2-night private tour that includes Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Udawalawe National Park.
The tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver/guide, two breakfast and dinner, and overnight accommodation in Kandy/Ella.
Alternatively, if you are spending more time in Sri Lanka and don’t want to worry about how to get from one place to another, book this excellent 8-day tour and make your trip even more unforgettable.
How to Get Around Nuwara Eliya
Although there are several ways to get to Nuwara Eliya, you will need a mode of transport on arrival to discover the best attractions.
The best way to explore Nuwara Eliya is to rent a tuk tuk and drive yourself or hire a tuk tuk driver to take you to the tea plantations, the Bluefield Tea Factory, Single Tree Hill, Gregory Lake, and Ramboda Falls.
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
Where to Stay in Nuwara Eliya
Most people only take a short visit to Nuwara Eliya. But for the best experience, stay in Nuwara Eliya and see the beautiful waterfalls, tea factories, and tea plantations. These are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Nuwara Eliya
- Luxury: Heritance Tea Factory
- Mid-Range: Galway Heights Hotel or Hilldale Retreat
- Budget: Misthill Rest – Lavish Villa
More Travel Guides about Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Itinerary for 14 Days
- Guide to Visiting Yala National Park
- The Ultimate Guide: Kandy to Ella Train
- 9 Best Things to Do in Ella
- 7 Epic Things to Do in Kandy
- Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka
- 9 Best Things to Do in Mirissa
We hope our post on how to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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