How to get from Ella to Kandy
Exchange Ella's lovely, laid-back village charm for Kandy's bustling streets and ancient mysteries with just a short 65-kilometer (40.6-mile) journey.
Travelers looking to get between the two destinations have several options, including hopping on a train, booking a space in a minivan, or booking a private car transfer.
The journey will be more comfortable if you opt for the minivan or car option. However, the train journey between Ella and Kandy is world-famous for its beauty, so choose wisely. These regions offer misty hills, tea plantations, ancient archaeological sites, and sweeping vistas.
The rich, verdant landscapes surrounding this city make it a gem of epic proportions, so make a beeline for this unforgettable destination!
Is Kandy worth visiting?
The Sacred City is so blessed with culture and history that UNESCO named Kandy a World Heritage Site.
The ancient city, also known as the City of Kings, is Sri Lanka’s second-largest city and the country’s historical and cultural heart.
Kandy resisted Portuguese and Dutch colonization through the 1500s and 1600s, becoming one of the only places in Sri Lanka that remained independent during this period. Their independence allowed them to freely preserve the city's ancient customs and Dinahala culture for more than 2,500 years.
However, the British occupied the city in 1815, ending their lengthy independence.
Now a free city once again, Kandy ensures that its beautiful history continues, attracting visitors from all over the globe to explore.
The top unmissable activities in Kandy
Kandy is overflowing with so much fascinating culture and history that it can be challenging to determine how to spend your time there. Keep these top suggestions in mind when planning your trip:
Temple of the Sacred Tooth and Royal Complex: This temple is considered Buddhism’s most important religious shrine because it supposedly houses a portion of Buddha’s tooth. Thanks to its spiritual significance, the temple has become Kandy’s number-one attraction. Choose your arrival time carefully because viewing hours are limited.
Attend a Kandy Cultural Dance Show: This daily show has been running for over 35 years and expertly showcases local culture through various dance types — like Puja Natuma and Devol Natuma — passed from generation to generation.
Visit Gampola and its beautiful temples: The three-temple loop of Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekke, and Lankathilaka is a popular tour for people visiting Kandy. The stunning temples offer a fascinating insight into Buddhist heritage.
Wander the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya: These gardens are the largest in Sri Lanka. They were so grand that only Kandyan royals were allowed to see them. In 1821, the gardens were established as a public institution for plant experimentation to advance economic and environmental development across the garden. Now, tourists come from around the world to see the incredible array of fauna and flora spread across 60 hectares.
Explore the Udawattakele Forest Reserve: This historic reserve covers more than 104 hectares on a hillside in Kandy. Pack plenty of water and tackle the four-hour hike into the wilderness to truly immerse yourself in the region's natural beauty.
Hike Hanthana Mountain: A favorite among hikers of all levels, this short, reasonably accessible hike is well worth the effort when you reach the peak and take in the sweeping vistas of the surrounding jungle landscapes teeming with life.
See the city from the Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue: Sitting atop Bahirawa Kanda Hill, this viewpoint can be seen from most points in Kandy, so you can see almost the whole city. It’s the top spot to watch the sunset over Kandy.
How do I get from Ella to Kandy?
Travelers have three options for transport between Ella and Kandy: minivan, car, or train.
By minivan
When choosing a minivan, you can select either a scenic or a standard one.
The scenic minivan takes five hours and includes seven stops at various beauty spots for breaks and to allow passengers to take in the views.
Stops include:
Ramboda Waterfalls
Ramboda Falls View Point
Tea Estate and Tea Factory
The Red Post Office in Nuwara Eliya
Gregory Park Lake in Nuware Eliya
Ashok Vatika Hindu Temple
Seetha Amman Kovil Hindu Temple
The stops only last approximately 5 to 20 minutes each, but it’s an exciting way to break up the journey.
Amenities include: |
Pick up and drop off at your chosen hotel |
A 20 kg luggage allowance and one piece of hand luggage |
Air conditioning |
Water |
A standard minivan heads straight to Kandy from Ella, with only a rest stop to break up the journey. The trip will take about four hours.
Amenities include: |
Pick up and drop off at your chosen hotel |
A 20 kg luggage allowance and one piece of hand luggage |
Air conditioning |
By private car
This option is ideal for people who want to relax in privacy on this journey.
Each car holds up to two passengers and will take approximately four hours.
Amenities include: |
Pick up and drop off at your chosen hotel |
A 20 kg luggage allowance and one piece of hand luggage |
Air conditioning |
By train
The most popular way to travel from Ella to Kandy is by train because of the unforgettable scenery.
This iconic journey is considered one of the most beautiful on the planet because of the breathtaking jungle views as the train rumbles through the countryside.
Four daily departures connect Kandy and Ella, and the journey takes six to seven hours. However, these trains are regularly delayed, so don’t anticipate arriving on time.
Pro tip: Make sure to stay awake between Hatton and Haputale stations when the views reach their peak! |
Reserve a seat to guarantee a comfortable seat. Train conductors will not let you enter a reserved-seat carriage without one.
Sri Lankan trains offer three class options: third, second, and first. There are also observation cars with huge, panoramic windows.
Observation cars rarely have air conditioning, but the windows and doors open to allow a breeze to whip through the carriage as you close in on Kandy. These carriages are attached to the train's rear and do not have reserved seats, so snag one early for the best viewpoint!
Second-class and third-class seats are relatively similar, with only mildly more comfortable seats in second class.
Second-class and third-class amenities include: |
Openable windows and doors for cooling |
Comfortable seats |
Plenty of legroom |
Reservable seats |
WC |
First-class amenities include: |
Comfortable leather seats |
Air conditioning |
Assigned seats |
WC |
Pro tip: Pack snacks because there isn’t always a meal service. However, street vendors get on when the train stops to sell snacks, water, and hot meals. |
The best things about the journey between Ella and Kandy
On the winding road to Kandy, whether by train or road, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Sri Lankan countryside.
Make sure to get a window seat on whichever transport you choose and avoid falling asleep, or you’ll miss imprinting these landscapes on your brain forever.
Pro tip: For the best views on the train, sit on the right side from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and switch sides for the last leg of the journey. |
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
Sunseekers should visit Kandy in the dry season between January and April.
These months bring pleasant, stable weather, with an average daytime temperature of 78.8°F (26°C).
If you can’t avoid visiting during the monsoon season, try to plan your trip in May, August, or September, which all see less rainfall than other wet months.
How many days should I spend in Kandy?
Spend a minimum of three days in Kandy to get a feel for the city and experience all its cultural wonders without rushing through them.
If you have plenty of time, consider staying up to a week to mine every last incredible detail and make memories to last a lifetime.
Where should I go after Kandy?
When you’re finished learning about Sri Lanka’s fascinating history, visit Negombo, a major city.
It's known for its fishing industry and sandy beaches, making it the perfect beachside break after the flurry of exploration that is Kandy. Check out the Angurukaramulla Temple, Negombo Lagoon, Negombo Beach, and Negombo Dutch Fort.
