How to Get From Ella to Nuwara Eliya

The local bus is the cheapest way to travel from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, with fares starting at $2.90 (980 LKR) for an ordinary bus. If you go for a semi-luxury bus, fares are slightly higher at about $4 (1,340 LKR).

That said, both options are quite basic and come with wooden seats. They’re not the most comfortable for a journey of 3 hours, but the open windows and scenic views can make the ride more enjoyable.

Bus #31-1 operates on this route, but there are only a few departures each day. It’s best to ask your hotel or a trusted local for the latest timings or when the bus passes through Ella. The journey ends at Nuwara Eliya Main Bus Station in the city centre.

The train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is the most scenic train route in Sri Lanka, followed closely by the route from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy. It is a short journey at just 2.5 hours, so make the most of it by enjoying this beautiful view from the window or by catching the fresh winds while hanging out of the wagon (be careful, though!).

Sri Lanka Railways offers several trips a day, and if you’re lucky, you can buy a 1st class ticket for $3 (1,000 LKR) on the day of your trip at the train station. However, we recommend booking a slightly cheaper reserved 2nd-class seat for the ultimate experience. Second-class cabins are not air-conditioned, but you can open the windows to let the fresh breeze in.

Tickets for reserved seats often sell out fast, especially for this famous route. If you really want to secure a good seat, we recommend booking a ticket online at least a month before your trip. Ticket prices start at $18 (5,900 LKR) when you book with BookAway.

PRO TIP: For the best views, take a seat on the left side of the train when leaving Ella and while nearing haputale, keep your eye on the right side.

The train departs from Ella Railway Station in the city centre and arrives at Nanu Oya Railway Station, 10 km west of Nuwara Eliya city centre.

From Nanu Oya, you have two options to get to the city centre: a tuk-tuk for $3 (1,000 LKR) or a bus for $0.20 (70 LKR). Tuk-tuks are easily available outside the train station. To take the bus, you have to walk about 50 m to the nearest bus stop, where buses pass by every 20 to 30 minutes. Travel time to the centre is about 20 minutes.

You can check the train schedules below and book your tickets up to 30 days before your travel date with the table below.

A minivan ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya costs around $22 (7,100 LKR). The minivan journey takes about 1h 30m, depending on traffic.

On this route, Magical Sri Lanka includes stops at two popular tourist attractions: Ashok Vatika Hindu Temple and Seeta Amman Kovil Hindu Temple. You’ll have 5-20 minutes to explore each site.

They also offer free hotel pickup and drop-off, saving you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.

A private transfer from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2-4h, 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 $29 (9,500 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $11 (3,600 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 $43 (14,400 LKR).