Best Ways: How to Get from Ella to Yala National Park
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Ella to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka? The Yala National Park is one the best places to see leopards and elephants in Sri Lanka, so don’t miss it on your Sri Lanka Itinerary.
Getting to Yala National Park may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are a few ways to get there. You can easily get to Yala by taxi, bus, tuk tuk, or join an organized tour.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Ella to Yala National Park, 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 it from Ella to Yala National Park?
The distance between Yala National Park and Ella is about 110 km, which is 2-6 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
Getting from Ella to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
There are several ways to get to Yala National Park from Ella: by taxi (2-3 hours), by tuk tuk (3-4 hours), and by bus (4-6 hours).
Good to know
Unfortunately, there are no trains from Ella to Yala!
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.
Read our → Yala National Park Guide
How to Get from Ella to Yala National Park by Taxi
One of the most comfortable and fastest ways to reach Yala National Park is by taxi.
A taxi from Ella to Yala starts from 50 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable!
The journey time is 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!
Alternatively, you can book a transfer from Ella to Mirissa/Galle/Hikkaduwa (any hotel), which includes the Yala Safari Tour.
Ella to Yala by Tuk Tuk
The best way to get from Ella to Yala is by tuk tuk. The journey time by tuk tuk is approximately 3-4 hours.
From Ella, head towards Wellawaya, then turn left on the A4 towards Buttala and take the B35 Road. If you want to pass wild elephants on the way to Yala National Park, take a detour on the B35 Road. During our trip, we also saw elephants in the middle and last section of the road, which was a fantastic experience in Sri Lanka.
These wild elephants are used to being around people, as locals regularly stop on the road to feed them. However, walk near them at your own risk! The photos were taken with a telephoto lens.
After arriving in Tissamaharama, we booked a Full-day Yala Safari Tour.
If you don’t want to detour from Ella, take the A2 towards Tissamaharama/Yala National Park.
We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.
Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka
Ella to Yala National Park by Bus
The cheapest way to get from Ella to Yala is by public bus (No.10 or 59). The journey takes around 3 hours, and the bus ticket starts from 360 LKR (1,20 USD).
Alternatively, take the bus from Ella bus station to Wellawaya, then transfer to the bus to Tissamaharama. The bus fare costs start from 1 USD. The total travel time is 4-6 hours, depending on traffic and the number of stops.
We have not found a reliable bus timetable! Therefore, we recommend you book a private or shared minivan online instead of the bus or ask the locals for the current bus schedule.
Day Trip from Ella to Yala National Park
A day trip to Yala is a great way to visit one of the best national parks and see wildlife if you have limited time in Sri Lanka.
Take a day trip to Yala National Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver/guide, and a jeep safari tour at Yala National Park.
Book your Yala safari tour HERE.
Good to know
Yala National Park is one of the best places to see leopards in Sri Lanka.
Recommended post → Best National Parks in Sri Lanka
Where to Stay near Yala National Park
Most people take a day trip to the Yala National Park from Ella, Galle, or Mirissa. But for the best experience, stay near the national park.
Another alternative is to stay in Tissamaharama, as you will be close to the restaurants and budget hotels. These are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Yala, Sri Lanka
- Luxury: Wild Coast Tented Lodge
- Mid-Range: Jetwing Yala or Cinnamon Wild Yala
- Budget: Kaaya Eco Resort Yala
Where to Eat in Yala
In Tissamaharama, you can find many local restaurants, vegetarian options, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best restaurants near Yala National Park
- Chef Lady Restaurant (Delicious seafood)
- The Flavors Restaurant (Best rice and curry)
- Red Restaurant Tissamaharama (International and local dishes)
- Hathmaluwa Restaurant (A perfect place for lunch or dinner)
- Smoky Kitchen (Our favorite place to eat in Yala)
More Travel Guides about Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Itinerary for 14 Days
- 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
- Guide to Visiting Yala National Park
We hope our post on how to get from Ella to Yala National Park 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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Hi there, thanks for sharing the Information. Unfortunately the Information is a bit outdated.
Nowadays there are direct busses from Ella to Yala. We had a stay in Tissa (Tissamaharama) and Line 10 and 59 are good options:
Unfortunately, the direct connection between Ella and Tissa (Tissamaharama/Tissamaharamamaja) is hidden in order to offer overpriced taxi rides. The journey is a great experience and takes about 3 hours and costs only 360 rupees. If you are not pressed for time, this is the best and cheapest option to get from Ella to Yala National Park. The buses run irregularly and the timetable is constantly changing. The timetable has been removed at the bus stop (seems to be another means of hiding the bus). The best chance of catching a bus is between 2 pm and 2:20 pm. In the past timetables, a bus has always run during this time. In addition to line 10 from Kandy to Katharagama(Kataragama), line 59 from Badulla to Katharagama can also be used.
Hi Tobias! Thanks for the information, we will update the post.
Cheers, Dittus and Máté