How to Get From Ella to Kandy

The bus is an affordable way to get from Ella to Kandy, with fares starting from $4.10 (1,360 LKR). The journey takes around 5 hours.

There are only a few direct intercity buses on this route, so it’s best to plan.

From Ella Bus Station (just a roadside stop, not a full terminal), direct buses usually pass at 10:30, 22:30, and 23:10. Take Bus #10, a non-AC public bus running from Kataragama to Kandy, with a stop in Ella.

Around the bus stop, you might hear from taxi drivers that buses aren’t running or are heavily delayed. That’s usually not true. Buses do arrive, though sometimes 15–30 minutes later than scheduled.

Indirect Bus

If you miss the direct bus, you can still reach Kandy by changing buses in Badulla. First, head to Ella Bus Station and catch any bus going to Badulla. Tickets cost around $1.80 (600 LKR), and the journey takes about 2 hours. At Badulla Bus Station, switch to Bus #21 going to Kandy. This leg costs around $1.40 (470 LKR) and takes about 5 hours.

The train journey from Ella to Kandy is among the most beautiful in the world, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself with a lot of competition at the train station. This is going to be a very busy journey, with both locals and tourists trying to get a seat.

This is why we highly recommend booking a train ticket online, and you have to do that at least one month before your trip. Tickets for this route sell out really fast, and you’ll want to buy them before other travel agencies do.

If you miss that deadline, you can still try to buy reserved tickets at the train station even a few days before your trip, but don’t get your hopes up.

Although more expensive than local rates, online booking is your best bet for good train seats. Tickets start at $15 (5,000 LKR) when you book via BookAway.

Trains depart from Ella Railway Station and arrive at Kandy Railway Station, both located 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 left side when travelling from Ella to Kandy.

A minivan ride from Ella to Kandy costs around $33 (10,800 LKR). What we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.

There are two companies operating on this route.

Tuktukdude Leisure runs a regular shared minivan shuttle from Ella to Kandy, with a travel time of about 3.5 hours. If you have more time, we recommend the scenic transfer with Magical Sri Lanka. It’s cheaper and includes stops at seven tourist spots along the way.

You'll get 5-20 minutes to explore each of these locations:

• Ramboda Waterfalls
• Ramboda Falls View Point
• Tea Estate and Tea Factory
• Red Post Office in Nuwara Eliya
• Gregory Park Lake in Nuwara Eliya
• Ashok Vatika Hindu Temple
• Seetha Amman Kovil Hindu Temple

The full journey takes around 5 hours, but it feels more like a relaxed sightseeing trip than just a transfer.

A private transfer from Ella to Kandy is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 3-4h, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.

Uber is the most budget-friendly option for this route, with prices starting at $61 (20,600 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $18 (6,000 LKR) each.

You can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo to compare rates.

If you prefer booking in advance, platforms like BookAway or 12GoAsia are great choices. They’re very reliable but come with a higher price tag, starting at $71 (23,800 LKR).