How to Get From Kandy to Colombo

5Options

30mFastest

$1.20From

Written by Maarten · Reviewed by Ela · Updated 6 Apr 2026·

Bus · Shared Minivan · Taxi · Flight · Train

View Map

Map showing route from Kandy to Colombo - 95 km

Kandy → Colombo95 km

Colombo is Sri Lanka's biggest city and its commercial capital. You'll find colonial-era streets, a seafront promenade and the bustle of Pettah market. It lies 95 kilometres (59 miles) west of Kandy. Flying is the quickest way to get from Kandy to Colombo, taking 30 minutes. Overland, the bus is the cheapest option at $1.20 (410 LKR). Trains between Kandy and Colombo have been suspended since late November 2025, after Cyclone Ditwah damaged the line.

DISTANCE

Distance from Kandy to Colombo

Kandy and Colombo are about 95 km (59 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 114 km by road. The quickest way to get from Kandy to Colombo is by taking the flight, which takes around 30m.

~95 km

Straight-line distance

~114 km

Route distance

30m

Fastest

Travelling the other way?Colombo to Kandy→

5 ways to travel from Kandy to Colombo

There are five ways to travel from Kandy to Colombo. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, taxi, flight, and train. The journey takes 30m – 4h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $1.20 (410 LKR).

Busfrom$1.20410 LKR4hHow to get a ticketBus4h$1.20Cheapest

Kandy to Colombo by Bus

The bus is an affordable way to get from Kandy to Colombo. Bus fares start from $1.20 (410 LKR), and the journey takes around 4h.

Both ordinary and air-conditioned buses operate on Route 1, connecting the two cities.

Ordinary Buses

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, ordinary buses are the cheapest option, with tickets costing $1.20 (410 LKR).

However, these buses offer only wooden seats. They also make a lot of stops, making the travel time longer.

Air-conditioned Buses

For a more comfortable journey, we recommend taking air-conditioned buses. You’ll get cushioned seats, fewer stops, and a faster trip overall.

Tickets for AC buses cost $2.20 (740 LKR), and buses usually depart every 30–45 minutes.

Departure Stations

Bus #1 operates several daily buses from Kandy to Colombo. You have two options to get on this bus:

Go to the Goods Shed Bus Stand, Kandy's main bus station, located near the railway station
Ask your hotel to guide you to the nearest bus stop where buses bound for Colombo pass by

Note that buses can be a bit crowded, especially during rush hour. Also, expect heavy traffic as these buses pass through very busy roads.

No online tickets.

Shared Minivanfrom$182h 40m – 4h5 options to bookShared Minivan2h 40m–4h$18

Kandy to Colombo by Shared Minivan

A minivan ride from Kandy to Colombo costs around $18 (6,000 LKR). The minivan journey takes about 2h 40m - 4h, depending on traffic.

There are three companies operating on this route: Magical Sri Lanka, Tuktukdude Leisure and Real Lanka Holidays.

Minivan tickets are more expensive than the bus, but you can book them online in advance.

Also, what we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel pickup. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.

Shared Minivan schedule from Kandy to Colombo

Magical Sri Lanka · Scenic$18

2h 40m

Kandy - Any hotel → Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB)

08:3015:30

Tickets

Magical Sri Lanka · Scenic$22

3h 30m

Kandy - Any hotel → World Trade Center

08:3015:30

Tickets

Tuktukdude Leisure · Shuttle$33

Kandy → Colombo

10:00

Tickets

Tickets sold on Bookaway

Taxifrom$41per car · 13,500 LKR2h 50m – 3h 40m12 options to bookTaxi2h 50m–3h 40m$41per car

Kandy to Colombo by Taxi

A private transfer from Kandy to Colombo is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2h 50m - 3h 40m, 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 $41 (13,500 LKR) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $13 (4,150 LKR) each.

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 $50 (16,600 LKR).

Uber · Zip 4 PAX$41

2h 50mper car

Kandy → Colombo

Any time you choose

Tickets

Best Sri Taxis · Sedan Car 3 PAX$50

3hper car

Kandy - Any hotel → Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB)

Any time you choose

Tickets

Magical Sri Lanka · Standard Car 2 PAX$54

2h 50mper car

Kandy - Any hotel → Colombo - Any hotel City Center

Any time you choose

Tickets

Tickets sold on Bookaway and Uber

Flightfrom$17030mTimes and ticketsFlight30mFastest$170

Kandy to Colombo by Flight

Taking a flight from Kandy to Colombo might look like the fastest option, but it is also the most expensive at $170 (56,000 LKR), excluding taxi transfers. On top of that, short-haul flights are far from eco-friendly. They can be up to 10x more polluting than trains or buses.

And once you factor in airport transfers, flying isn’t always that quick either. You’ll depart from Cinammon Air Seaplane Jetty near Victoria Golf Resort, about 23km from Kandy city centre. The journey alone takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic.

You'll land at Cinnamon Air's dedicated terminal within the Colombo Bandaranaike Airport complex. With traffic, getting to and from the airport can take anywhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours.

That said, there is one big highlight. You’ll be flying in a small plane, which means incredible views over Sri Lanka’s Tea Country along the way.

Flights from Kandy to Colombo usually operate daily from November to April. From May to October, there are typically no flights. It’s best to check the Cinnamon Air website for the latest schedule.

If you want to fly, you can book your tickets using the link below.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Train*2h 30m – 3h 55mHow to get a ticketTrain*2h 30m–3h 55m

Kandy to Colombo by Train*

Suspended since late November 2025. Trains between Kandy and Colombo are not running. Cyclone Ditwah damaged the line, and passenger trains from Colombo only run as far as Rambukkana (last checked October 2026). Kandy is expected to be reconnected around late 2026. Take the bus, a shared minivan or a taxi instead (see the other tabs).

You can get a 1st-class train ticket on Kandy to Colombo for as low as $1.50 (500 LKR). But that’s if you can avail them at the train station, where reserved 1st and 2nd class tickets sell out fast.

Sri Lanka Railways

Sri Lanka Railways offers several trips daily, and you can choose between 1^st, 2^ndand 3^rd class trains.

Trains depart from Kandy Railway Station and arrive at the Fort Railway Station in Colombo. Both stations are in the city centre and are a short tuk-tuk ride to your hotel.

You can find the train schedules below, as well as a booking link to BookAway for easy reservation. Online ticket prices start from $3.90 (1,280 LKR). Remember that you should book a month before your desired travel date when booking this train online.

No online tickets.

Reach out to our Community

No questions yet — be the first to ask about Kandy to Colombo.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Kandy to Colombo, roughly 95 kilometres (59 miles) apart. In all, there are 5 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $1.20 (410 LKR). The quickest trip takes 30m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Kandy to Colombo?

The distance from Kandy to Colombo is 95 kilometres (59 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Kandy to Colombo?

The fastest way to get from Kandy to Colombo is by flight and takes 30m.

What is the cheapest way to get from Kandy to Colombo?

The cheapest way to get from Kandy to Colombo is by bus with ticket costs starting from 410 LKR.

About the Authors

Maarten

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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.

ElaReviewer

Senior Travel Writer

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.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.

How to Get From Kandy to Colombo

Distance from Kandy to Colombo

5 ways to travel from Kandy to Colombo

Kandy to Colombo by Bus

Kandy to Colombo by Shared Minivan

Shared Minivan schedule from Kandy to Colombo

Stations

Kandy to Colombo by Taxi

Kandy to Colombo by Flight

Kandy to Colombo by Train*

Sri Lanka Railways

Reach out to our Community

Rounding it up

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Kandy to Colombo?

What is the fastest way to get from Kandy to Colombo?

What is the cheapest way to get from Kandy to Colombo?

About the Authors

Related Routes in Sri Lanka

Related Travel Guides & Articles

Things to do in Nuwara Eliya & How can I get there

Things To Do In Ella and How to get There

Things To Do In Mirissa and How to get There

Booking Train Tickets in Sri Lanka

Join our Community