How to get from Kandy to Negombo
What are the 3 ways to travel from Kandy to Negombo?
There are 3 ways to travel the 100 kilometre (62 miles) distance from Kandy to Negombo. You can choose between the bus, taxi and train. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 345 LKR ($1.10).
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 LKR ($1.10) and travel time is about 4 hours.
Normal buses are also available for 170 LKR ($0.50). However, these often make too many stops, making the travel time longer.
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 LKR ($0.60).
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 LKR ($4.10) and the journey takes about 1 hour.
A tuk-tuk ride should cost about half that price, but it will also be slower.
Kandy to Negombo by Taxi
The taxi from Kandy to Negombo costs around 7,000 LKR ($22.50) 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.
In case you are unable to book with any of the above options, BookAway offers a good alternative, with private transfer services available starting from 21,000 LKR ($66).
Taxi options from Kandy to Negombo
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Kandy to Negombo. 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 Negombo
What is the distance from Kandy to Negombo?
The distance from Kandy to Negombo is 100 kilometre (62 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Kandy to Negombo?
The fastest way to get from Kandy to Negombo is by taxi and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Kandy to Negombo?
The cheapest way to get from Kandy to Negombo is by bus with ticket costs starting from 345 LKR ($1.10).
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.
