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How to get from Kandy to Negombo
Negombo is a small beach town on Sri Lanka’s west coast. Here, you can travel back in time to the Dutch era in the mid-1600s with a day trip to the Dutch Fort and Dutch Canal. By sunset, make sure you are at the beach for the best view.
When travelling the 100 km journey from Kandy to Negombo, you have 3 options: you can take a train for 1,590 Rs ($19), including taxi transfer; a bus for 345 Rs ($4.10); or a taxi for 7,000 Rs ($84). Travel time is between 3.5 to 4 hours.
3 ways to get from Kandy to Negombo
There are no direct trains from Kandy to Negombo. You can only take the train up to Gampaha Railway Station. From here, you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk to Negombo. Travel time is at least 3.5 hours. Combined fares start at 1,590 Rs ($19).
The bus is the cheapest option for this route, but also the least comfortable. If you really want to take the bus, we recommend that you at least pick an airconditioned one to make the trip more bearable. A ticket costs 345 Rs ($4.10) and the journey takes about 4 hours.
Travelling in a group? The taxi is the most comfortable option at 7,000 Rs ($84). Although the most expensive, it gives you the advantage of travelling door-to-door. You can expect to reach Negombo in a little less than 4 hours.
We don’t recommend taking a flight for this route. There are no direct flights from Kandy to Negombo. You will have to fly to Diyawanna Oya, which is at least an hour away from Negombo. Aside from being very harmful for the environment, you won’t be able to save a lot of time when you take the flight.
Kandy to Negombo by Train
There are no direct trains from Kandy to Negombo. You will first have to take a train to Gampaha. Then you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk to Negombo.
Step 1: Kandy to Gampaha by Train
From Kandy Railway Station, the earliest train bound for Negombo departs at 06:20 on weekdays. Travel time is around 2.5 hours and a 2nd class ticket for an unreserved seat costs 180 Rs ($2.10).
Train Schedule from Kandy to Gampaha
The above rates are for a 2nd class unreserved seat. First and 2nd class reserved tickets are also available, but you have to book them weeks or even a month prior to your trip.
Sri Lankan trains can get very crowded, especially during peak hours. Booking an unreserved seat means there is no assurance that you will be able to get a seat at all.
Check out our page on how to book train tickets in Sri Lanka for more info.
Step 2: Gampaha to Negombo by Taxi/Tuk-tuk
From Gampaha, Negombo is 25 km away. You can easily hail a taxi or a tuk-tuk outside the railway station. Taxi fares start at 1,270 Rs ($15) and the journey takes about an hour.
A tuk-tuk ride should cost about half that price, but it will also be slower.
Kandy to Negombo by Bus
From Kandy Good Shed Bus Station, take bus #1 or #245 to Negombo. We recommend that you take an airconditioned bus for a little more comfort. A ticket costs 345 Rs ($4.10) and travel time is about 4 hours.
Normal buses are also available for 170 Rs ($2). However, these often make too many stops, making the travel time longer.
Kandy to Negombo by Taxi
The taxi from Kandy to Negombo costs around 7,000 Rs ($84) when you book via Uber, but fares can be slightly cheaper or more expensive depending on the availability. You can also check the taxi apps PickMe and TaxiGo for the cheapest rates. But, unfortunately, these apps have very limited availability outside the capital city, Colombo.
PRO TIP: Use the code “hpam1ue” or this link to order your first ride with Uber for free!
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About the author(s)
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.
