How to get from Kandy to Ella
What are the 4 ways to travel from Kandy to Ella?
There are 4 ways to travel the 140 kilometre (87 miles) distance from Kandy to Ella. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, taxi and train. The journey takes 3 to 10 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 3,640 LKR ($11.70).
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.
Kandy to Ella by Bus
There are no direct intercity buses operating from Kandy to Ella. But Brown Tours offers bus trips on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
They’re a bit more expensive than taking the train and costs 3,640 LKR ($11.70). Still, taking the bus is a good alternative if you don’t want to risk standing on the train for 6 hours.
Also, Brown Tours can bring you from Kandy to Ella in less than 5 hours, that’s an hour faster than taking the train. You can easily reserve a bus seat through the link below.
- Departs at 08:00 from 702 Peradeniya Road, west of Kandy city centre
- Arrives 12:50 at 39 Passara Road, Ambagollapathana, at Ella city centre
Kandy to Ella by Train
The train ride from Kandy to Ella is the most beautiful in Sri Lanka. It is also the busiest. Aside from locals, many tourists compete for highly-coveted seats on this famous route.
Booking your train ticket online will secure you a seat, but bear in mind that you need to book train tickets in Sri Lanka at least one month before your trip, when you book them online.
Although it is often still possible to book your tickets a few days in advance at the railway station, they might be sold out. If you miss the chance of booking a reserved ticket, be prepared to stand a part of this 6-hour journey. You can get a 2nd class unreserved ticket for 310 LKR ($1).
Online tickets start from 4,020 LKR ($12.90). They are more expensive, but worth it if you want to be assured of a good seat. First-class cabins are air-conditioned and ticket prices start from 6,900 LKR ($22). If you prefer open windows for your photo ops, you can go for second-class cabins at 5,400 LKR ($17.50).
Trains depart from Kandy Railway Station and arrive at Ella Railway Station. Both stations are in the city centre.
PRO TIP: This route is beautiful anywhere you look, but if you are free to choose which side to sit on, go for the right side when travelling from Kandy to Ella.
Train schedules from Kandy 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.
Viceroy II
Another train option which is only available on 12Go.Asia is the more luxurious Viceroy II. It is not as adventurous as a 2nd class train but it is a scenic ride all the same.
Be prepared that Viceroy II costs twice the amount of a 1st class cabin from the regular Sri Lankan Railway train.
In return, you will get an air-conditioned train, soft seats, wi-fi on-board, and pleasant lighting, reassuring you will have a very comfortable 6-hour journey. It also has a fully-stocked bar, but as drinks are a quite expensive, think of bringing your own food and drinks for the journey.
Viceroy II operates from Kandy to Ella on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Departs at 12:35 from Peradeniya, a suburb located west of Kandy’s city centre
- Arrives at 18:27 at Ella Railway Station in the city centre
- Tickets cost 7,300 LKR ($23.50). You can book your Viceroy II ticket via 12go.Asia or in the link below.
Unreserved seats
If you missed all changes to book a reserved seat, you can also buy a ticket for an unreserved seat from Kandy to Ella at the train station on the day of your trip. You can find the exact schedules beforehand on the Sri Lanka Railways website.
Tickets for a 3rd class seat cost 125 LKR ($0.40) while 2nd class seats cost 230 LKR ($0.70). These are unlimited so buying a ticket should be easy enough.
PRO TIP: For the best chances to get a seat, consider to board the train one station before Kandy, which is Kadugannawa. A lot of passengers are expected to get off in Kandy and when they do, you will be able to get their seats before the mass of passengers in Kandy Station get inside the train.
Kandy to Ella by Shared Minivan
Magical Sri Lanka and Tuktukdude Leisure offers minivan transfers from Kandy to Ella with a unique twist—stopping 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 trip costs around 10,000 LKR ($32.50) and includes free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
Shared Minivan options from Kandy to Ella
Kandy to Ella by Taxi
The taxi from Kandy to Ella will cost around 22,000 LKR ($71). You can order one online on BookAway or use one of the taxi apps.
Ordering a taxi with Uber costs less at around 10,000 LKR ($32), but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on availability.
If you want to do everything in order to find the cheapest rate, you can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo, but unfortunately, these apps have very limited availability outside the capital city, Colombo.
Taxi options from Kandy 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 Kandy 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 Kandy to Ella
What is the distance from Kandy to Ella?
The distance from Kandy to Ella is 140 kilometre (87 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Kandy to Ella?
The fastest way to get from Kandy to Ella is by taxi and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Kandy to Ella?
The cheapest way to get from Kandy to Ella is by bus with ticket costs starting from 3,640 LKR ($11.70).
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.
