Overview Train Bus Taxi Flight Activities
Kandy is the cultural hub of Sri Lanka, situated on a plateau in the centre of the country. Located 120 km west of the capital Colombo, there are 4 ways to reach Kandy: by train, by bus, by taxi, and by flight.
When you travel to the so-called “Sacred City”, we recommend taking the train whenever this is possible from the destination you are coming from. Especially the train ride between Ella and Kandy is among the most scenic train rides in the world. When coming from other towns, you can also take the bus, taxi, or even an expensive flight.
How to get to Kandy
Because the route from Colombo to Kandy is often the next stop upon arrival at the capital, we created a detailed step-by-step guide for those specific routes:
Below, we give you a breakdown of all options to help you decide which option is best for you to travel to Kandy.
Getting to Kandy by Train
The train is the easiest way to reach Kandy from other top Sri Lankan destinations like Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and Ella. From some other tourist spots, you might need another train or taxi transfer, but we think the journey is still easy enough.
When coming from Negombo, you will need to take a taxi to Gampaha and then take the train from there. If you’re from Galle, you can make your train transfer in Colombo. When you’re coming from Jaffna, you can transfer to another train at Polgahawela Junction. Below we give you a more concise summary for common train routes to Kandy:
| Train Route | Duration | Costs | Train Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo to Kandy | 2.5 hours | 800 Rs ($2.40) 800 Rs ($2.40) | 1st Class Reserved |
| Nuwara Eliya to Kandy | 3.5 hours | 1,100 Rs ($3.40) 180 Rs ($0.50) | 1st Class Reserved |
| Ella to Kandy | 7 hours | 1,500 Rs ($4.60) | 1st Class Reserved |
| Negombo to Gampaha Gampaha to Kandy | 1 hour 2.5 hours | 1,100 Rs ($3.40) 180 Rs ($0.50) | (taxi) 2nd Class Unreserved |
| Galle to Colombo Colombo to Kandy | 2.5 hours 2.5 hours | 800 Rs ($2.40) 800 Rs ($2.40) | 1st Class Reserved 1st Class Reserved |
| Jaffna to Polgahawela Junction Polgahawela Junction to Kandy | 2 hours 5hr 45min | 100 Rs ($0.30) 420 Rs ($1.30) | 2nd Class Unreserved 1st Class Reserved |
We recommend booking a reserved seat for the most comfortable journey. Especially if you travel during peak hours of 08:00 or 18:00, the train will be busy and you will likely have to stand when you didn’t book a seat in advance.
Check out our guide on how to book train tickets in Sri Lanka to ensure you have good seats when heading to Kandy.
Kandy Railway Station is located in the centre and less than a 10-minute walk to Kandy Lake, which is often used as a reference point.
Getting to Kandy by Bus
Local buses bound for Kandy run more frequently than the train. There are direct buses coming from Colombo, Negombo, Badulla, Jaffna, Galle, and many others. You can buy tickets at either the bus station or the bus itself. Here is a summary of common routes:
| Bus Route & No. | Duration | Costs | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo to Kandy (#1) | 4 hours | 350 Rs ($1.00) | AC |
| Negombo to Kandy (#1 or #245) | 4 hours | 345 Rs ($1.00) | AC |
| Badulla to Kandy (#21) | 6 hours | 290 Rs ($0.80) | Semi-luxury (non-AC) |
| Jaffna to Kandy (#43 or #87) | 10 hours | 670 Rs ($2.00) | Semi-luxury (non-AC) |
| Galle to Kandy (EX 1-27) | 8 hours | 800 Rs ($2.40) | Expressway Super Luxury |
Note that buses are generally not the most comfortable way to travel in Sri Lanka, especially when only ordinary and semi-luxury buses (non-aircon with wooden seats) are available. We recommend that you take air-conditioned buses for trips that take more than 2 hours.
Most local buses make their final stop at the Goods Shed Bus Station, which is next to Kandy railway station.
If you want to be assured of a comfortable bus journey, you can also book tourist buses online. These only operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and a ticket costs 3,600 Rs ($11.00). They park near Nishantha Wood Carvings, 5 km west of the city centre.
See here the links to buy your bus tickets with Brown Tours for the most common routes to reach Kandy:
- Bus from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy (3 hours)
- Bus from Ella to Kandy (5hr 50min)
- Bus from Galle to Kandy (12 hours)
- Bus from Mirissa to Kandy (11 hours)
Getting to Kandy by Taxi
The taxi is a comfortable yet more expensive way to reach Kandy from anywhere in Sri Lanka. If you’re travelling in a group, especially with kids, this is definitely worth considering.
However, if a direct train is available from where you’re coming from, we recommend that you book reserved train tickets because they are often scenic and comfortable (as long as you reserve a seat).
You can hail a taxi from the street, but it’s often cheaper to book one via taxi apps like Uber and Pickme. Fares start at Origin currency not defined when coming from Colombo.
In case neither of these apps is available from your current location, other reliable booking websites for taxis are BookAway, 12Go.Asia, and TaxiGo.
Getting to Kandy by Flight
The nearest airport from Kandy is Polgolla Reservoir Airport (KDZ), located 6 km north of the city centre.
However, there aren’t a lot of direct flights departing/arriving from this airport. And when they do, they usually require taxi transfers that pass through busy roads. When you include the transfer time, you don’t actually get to save a lot of time when taking the flight.
We have to admit that taking a plane can offer a beautiful bird’s eye view over this small but beautiful country. But still, we recommend taking one of the other forms of transport because it is much friendlier for the environment. Traveling short distances by plane can produce more than 10 times as much carbon emission than other forms of transport due to the heavy impact of taking off and landing.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to help reduce your impact on the environment.
7 Awesome Things to Do in Kandy
Surrounded by lush hills and tea plantations, Kandy is a misty city in the Central Province.
People often drop by for the iconic Temple of the Tooth, but it offers a few more attractions that are worth your time.
We recommend staying at least 2 days before moving on to nearby destinations like Nuwara Eliya and Ella.
See here our list of top 7 things to do:
- Explore the Temple of the Tooth
- Visit the World Buddhist Museum
- Walk around Kandy Lake
- Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
- Explore the spooky hotel of Helga’s Folly
- See Kandy from Arthur’s Seat
- Train to Nuwara Eliya or Ella
#1 Explore the Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Tooth is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka because it houses the sacred tooth relic of Buddha.
The temple itself is beautiful, which also explains why it is often filled not only of worshippers but also tourists exploring the grounds. Visit early if you want to escape the crowd.
Also, keep in mind that this is a place of worship. Wear clothes that cover your knees and elbows when you visit. Be prepared to take off your shoes to enter certain areas.
The entrance fee is 1,500 Rs ($4.60) for visitors from SAARC countries and 1,000 Rs ($3.00) for any other nationality.
If you want a deeper appreciation of this temple and Kandy, visit Kandy during the Esala Perahera Festival. This is a 10-day celebration often held in July or August to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Two alternatives: the Bahiravokanda Vihara and the Gadaladeniya temple
Note that there are at least two other notable temples you can visit when in Kandy. The giant Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue stands (or sits) on top of a hill so you get a grand view of the city. The Gadaladeniya Temple is located some 14 km outside the city centre, but you might want to check it out for its Hindu-influenced architecture.
#2 Visit the World Buddhist Museum
This first-ever international Buddhist museum is located just next to the Temple of the Tooth, so it is easy to include in the same visit. You can read and observe how varying countries practice Buddhism.
If you are interested in Buddhism, you can easily end up spending 2 hours exploring the place to learn everything about the religion.
The entrance fee is free if you have a Temple of the Tooth ticket. Otherwise, you have to pay 500 Rs ($1.50).
#3 Walk Around Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake is the heart of this cultural city. Walking around it gives a glimpse of local life. Here you can watch street vendors, students walking to or from school, tuk-tuks, and bus drivers going about their daily lives. With the man-made yet beautiful lake on one side, it makes for a relaxing walk.
If you go hungry, ice cream and pickled fruits are always available on the sidewalk. Want to relax with a cup of tea before you enter the busy centre of Sri Lanka, then visit Mlesna Tea Center for a delicious cup of tea next to the lake.
#4 Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
A visit to a garden is probably not what you have in mind when heading to this cultural city, but we suggest you reconsider.
The Royal Botanic Gardens boasts over 4,000 species of plants and spices, some of which you might have never seen in your entire life. Also, make sure to look up in the sky to spot the hanging bats!
Did you know? The garden is most popular for its collection of orchids and used to be solely reserved for people from the Kandyan royalties.
Located in the suburbs of Peradeniya, you can reach the Botanic Gardens by taking bus #644 for 16 Rs ($0.00) or by tuk-tuk for 400 Rs ($1.20). A ticket costs 1,500 Rs ($4.60) for adults and 750 Rs ($2.30) for kids below 12 years old.
#5 Explore the spooky hotel of Helga’s Folly
Helga’s Folly is an eccentric hotel and restaurant in the jungle hills of Kandy. It is probably the strangest place you’ll see in this city. It’s as if it was taken straight out of a Tim Burton movie, but there’s a feeling even Tim Burton cannot design something this chaotically beautiful.
As one review of Google Maps writes, if you like a bit of “Bohemian weirdness”, this place is for you. Not everyone has the guts to stay in this intriguing hotel, but at least you can have a look around at this Instagramable place.
They also offer good food. Maybe a bit pricey, but the extraordinary experience makes it all worth it!
#6 See Kandy from Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is arguably the highest point in town and offers a good vantage point if you want to see the city in all its glory.
Only at walking distance from Kandy Lake, you will have a scenic view over the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Palace, the giant Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue, and so much more.
#7 Take the Train to Nuwara Eliya or Ella
Since you’re already in Kandy, it will be a total shame if you don’t go further south to visit nearby towns like Nuwara Eliya and Ella. These small villages offer majestic views and plenty of things to do, but the train ride alone is one for the books.
The train ride from Kandy to Ella is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Even if you have little time, we recommend that you spend at least a day in Ella, even just to take the train. Travel time is 6 to 7 hours.
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.
