3 ways to get from Negombo to Kandy
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Negombo to Kandy by bus (4 hours), Taxi (3 hours 40 minutes) and train (3 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours and the quickest way is by train. The lowest priced tickets start from 345 LKR (€1.10) for the bus.Negombo to Kandy by Bus
From Negombo Bus Terminal, take bus #1 or #245 bound for Kandy. A ticket for an air-conditioned bus costs 345 LKR (€1.10) and the journey takes about 4 hours, depending on traffic.
Although normal buses are also available for 170 LKR (€0.50), we don’t recommend them as they are very uncomfortable, especially for long journeys like this. They also make more stops than aircon buses, and so they take longer to reach Kandy.
Negombo to Kandy by Train
Because there are no direct trains from Negombo to Kandy, you will first have to take a taxi or tuk-tuk to Gampaha Railway Station. From here, you can take a train to Kandy.
Step 1: Negombo to Gampaha Railway Station by Taxi/Tuk-tuk
The easiest way to reach Gampaha Railway Station from Negombo is by taxi. You can hail one from the street, but it would be easier to book via Uber or Pickme. Fares start at 1,410 LKR (€4.40) and travel time is approximately 1 hour.
Tuk-tuks are also available for about half that price, although they are a bit slower.
Step 2: Gampaha to Kandy by Train
The earliest train bound for Kandy leaves Gampaha Railway Station at 06:36 daily. A 2nd class unreserved ticket costs 180 LKR (€0.60) and travel time is more or less 2.5 hours.
If you want to get reserved train tickets, it is best to book them at least a month prior to your trip. For this route, you can do that through a local travel agency or you can buy at any train station if you are already in Sri Lanka.
With reserved tickets, you will not have to worry about crowded trains and the risk of not getting a seat. Check out our guide on how to book train tickets in Sri Lanka for more info.
Negombo to Kandy by Taxi
The taxi from Negombo to Kandy costs around 8,000 LKR (€25) when you book on Uber, but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on availability. For possibly cheaper rates, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo. But note that hese 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Negombo to Kandy
What is the distance from Negombo to Kandy?
The distance from Negombo to Kandy is 100 kilometers (62 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Negombo to Kandy?
The fastest way to get from Negombo to Kandy is by train and takes 3 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Negombo to Kandy?
The cheapest way to get from Negombo to Kandy is by bus with ticket costs starting from 345 LKR (€1.10).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Negombo to Kandy. 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.
Is this up to date/when was this info gathered? I can’t find any info about a direct bus from negombo to kandy online apart from this site.