How to get from Colombo to Ella
What are the 3 ways to travel from Colombo to Ella?
There are 3 ways to travel the 205 kilometre (127 miles) distance from Colombo to Ella. You can choose between the bus, taxi and train. The journey takes 5 hours 10 minutes to 10 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at 1,990 LKR ($6.40).
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.
Colombo to Ella by Train
The train route from Colombo to Ella is among the most picturesque rides in the world, especially the second half of the ride starting in Kandy. It should not be missed when visiting the Tea Country.
Sri Lanka Railways generally feature clean cabins with soft seats, comfortable enough for a 9-hour trip. Tickets are available on the day of your trip at the train station, with fares starting at 490 LKR ($1.60) for a 2nd class unreserved seat.
But because this is at least a trip that takes around 8 hours 45 minutes to 10 hours 30 minutes, we recommend that you book reserved seats online at least a month before your trip. Online tickets start at 1,990 LKR ($6.40).
First-class seats are air-conditioned with ticket prices from 6,600 LKR ($21.50) when booked online. Still, we prefer the open windows of second-class cabins, much better for sightseeing and photo-ops!
- Departs from Fort Railway Station in Colombo city centre
- Arrives at Ella Railway Station in the city centre
Train schedule from Colombo to Ella
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on 12Go.Asia.
Why we don’t recommend booking unreserved seats
Reserved train tickets in Sri Lanka sell out fast, which is why you have to book your tickets online at least a month before. If you miss that deadline, you can take a chance by buying an unreserved train ticket, which will only be available on the day of your trip.
From Colombo to Ella, tickets for a 3rd class seat cost 310 LKR ($1) while 2nd class seats cost 490 LKR ($1.60). Unreserved tickets are unlimited, but seats are not! Imagine having to stand for a 9-hour journey!
If you miss the 30-day deadline to book online, your alternate option is to book a reserved seat with an agency. They charge a much higher price, but they will try their best to get those tickets for you.
For more info and other train booking options, check out our page on How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka.
Colombo to Ella by Bus
There are no direct buses operating from Colombo to Ella. However, there is a bus that can drop you off about 5 km away. From here, a short taxi ride will bring you to Ella.
Step 1: Colombo to Kumbalwela Junction by Bus
From Colombo’s Bastian Mawatha Bus Stand, find bus #99 bound for Badulla. Cheaper ordinary buses are available, but we don’t recommend them for this journey of 6h. Instead, we advise that you take at least an airconditioned bus for 710 LKR ($2.30). This has several departures daily.
If you want a more comfortable bus option, you can also take the super-luxury bus for 4,250 LKR ($13.70). This bus departs at 23:00 daily. Ask your driver to drop you off at Kumbalwela Junction. You should arrive there around 05:00 the next morning.
Step 2: Kumbalwela Junction to Ella by Taxi
At Kumbalwela Junction, you can hail a taxi to bring you to Ella, which is about 15 minutes away. With a metered taxi, the ride should cost just around 300 LKR ($1).
Since this is early in the morning, another option is to ask your hotel beforehand if they offer pick-up service at Kumbalwela Junction.
Colombo to Ella by Taxi
You can get a taxi from Colombo to Ella for 34,000 LKR ($110) if you book via BookAway.
Booking a taxi with Uber costs less at around 16,000 LKR ($52), but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on availability.
If you want to do everything to find the cheapest rates, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo. These are widely available in Colombo, but may not be easy to find for longer journeys.
Taxi options from Colombo to Ella
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
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Colombo 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Colombo to Ella
What is the distance from Colombo to Ella?
The distance from Colombo to Ella is 205 kilometre (127 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Ella?
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Ella is by taxi and takes 5 hours 10 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Ella?
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Ella is by train with ticket costs starting from 1,990 LKR ($6.40).
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.
