3 ways to get from Kandy to Ella
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Kandy to Ella by bus (4 hours 50 minutes), Taxi (3 hours 30 minutes) and train (5 hours 55 minutes to 6 hours 25 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 3 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 25 minutes and the quickest way is by taxi. The lowest priced tickets start from 3,090 LKR (€9.60) for the train.Where to stay in Ella?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Ella at the bottom of this page.
Kandy to Ella by Train
The train ride from Kandy to Ella is the most beautiful in Sri Lanka. It is also the busiest. Aside from locals, many tourists compete for highly-coveted seats in this famous route.
Booking your train ticket online will secure you from a seat, but Bear in mind that you need to book train tickets in Sri Lanka at least one month before your trip, when you book them online.
Although it is often still possible to book your tickets a few days in advance at the railway station, they might be sold out. If you miss the chance of booking a reserved ticket, be prepared to stand a part of this 6-hour journey. You can get a 2nd class unreserved ticket for 310 LKR (€1).
Online tickets are more expensive, but worth it if you want to be assured of a good seat. First-class cabins are air-conditioned and tickets cost 5,200 LKR (€16.20). If you prefer open windows for your photo ops, you can go for second-class cabins at 3,090 LKR (€9.60).
Trains depart from Kandy Railway Station and arrive at Ella Railway Station. Both stations are in the city centre.
PRO TIP: This route is beautiful anywhere you look, but if you are free in choosing which side to sit, go for the right side when travelling from Kandy to Ella.
Train schedules from Kandy to Ella
*Train tickets are also sold on 12Go.Asia for a few dollars less. However, we recommend booking with BookAway as they don’t add a booking fee and time schedules & info are more reliable.
Viceroy II
Another train option which is only available on 12Go.Asia is the more luxurious Viceroy II. It is not as adventurous as a 2nd class train but it is a scenic ride all the same.
Be prepared that Viceroy II costs twice the amount of a 1st class cabin from the regular Sri Lankan Railway train.
In return, you will get an air-conditioned train, soft seats, wi-fi on-board, and pleasant lighting, reassuring you will have a very comfortable 6-hour journey. It also has a fully-stocked bar, but as drinks are a quite expensive, think of bringing your own food and drinks for the journey.
Viceroy II operates from Kandy to Ella on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Departs at 12:35 from Peradeniya, a suburb located west of Kandy’s city centre
- Arrives at 18:27 at Ella Railway Station in the city centre
- Tickets cost 7,300 LKR (€23). You can book your Viceroy II ticket via 12go.Asia or in the link below.
Unreserved seats
If you missed all changes to book a reserved seat, you can also buy a ticket for an unreserved seat from Kandy to Ella at the train station on the day of your trip. You can find the exact schedules beforehand on the Sri Lanka Railways website.
Tickets for a 3rd class seat cost 125 LKR (€0.40) while 2nd class seats cost 230 LKR (€0.70). These are unlimited so buying a ticket should be easy enough.
PRO TIP: For the best chances to get a seat, consider to board the train one station before Kandy, which is Kadugannawa. A lot of passengers are expected to get off in Kandy and when they do, you will be able to get their seats before the mass of passengers in Kandy station get inside the train.
Kandy to Ella by Bus
There are no direct intercity buses operating from Kandy to Ella. But Brown Tours offers bus trips on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
They’re a bit more expensive than taking the train and costs 3,640 LKR (€11.40). Still, taking the bus is a good alternative if you don’t want to risk standing on the train for 6 hours.
Also, Brown Tours can bring you from Kandy to Ella in less than 5 hours, that’s an hour faster than taking the train. You can easily reserve a bus seat through the link below.
- Departs at 08:00 from 702 Peradeniya Road, west of Kandy city centre
- Arrives 12:50 at 39 Passara Road, Ambagollapathana, at Ella city centre
Kandy to Ella by Taxi
The taxi from Kandy to Ella will cost around 11,000 LKR (€34). You can order one online on BookAway or use one of the taxi apps.
Ordering a taxi with Uber costs a bit lower at around 10,000 LKR (€31), but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on availability. If you want to do everything in order to find the cheapest rate, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo, but unfortunately, these apps have very limited availability outside the capital city, Colombo.
PRO TIP: Use the code “hpam1ue” or this link to order your first ride with Uber for free!
Best places to stay in Ella
Will Guest Homestay - Budget Friendly
An exceptional homestay with stunning mountain views. You will feel right at home here with the friendly and welcoming staff. Bike and car rentals are available on-site and breakfast is included with your stay.
The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. You won’t want to check out of this homestay!
- Breathtaking mountain views
- Breakfast included
- Clean and comfortable
- Extremely friendly and helpful staff
Private room starts at $23 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Kandy to Ella
What is the distance from Kandy to Ella?
The distance from Kandy to Ella is 140 kilometers (87 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Kandy to Ella?
The fastest way to get from Kandy to Ella is by taxi and takes 3 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Kandy to Ella?
The cheapest way to get from Kandy to Ella is by train with ticket costs starting from 3,090 LKR (€9.60).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Kandy to Ella. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
