Colombo Airport to Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya, the tea-country town at 1,868 m, is 152 km from the airport by road but nearly five hours away: most of the route climbs through the hills.

• 152 km by road from the airport
• about 4 h 45 min driving time (Google)
• from $56.44 one way, City car
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

Fares to Nuwara Eliya

The first 100 km are in the starting price; the other 52 km are charged at the vehicle’s rate per km. The fare goes by distance, not by time, so the slow mountain road costs nothing extra.

VehicleSeatsBagsOne wayReturn

City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar2 seats2 bags$56.44one way$112.88 returnBook Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar3 seats5 bags$62.06one way$124.12 returnBook Economy carToyota Prius or similar3 seats3 bags$66.68one way$133.36 returnBook Standard carToyota Premio or similar3 seats3 bags$72.73one way$145.46 returnBook SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar4 seats6 bags$74.30one way$148.60 returnBook Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar4 seats6 bags$152.88one way$305.76 returnBook Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar6 seats10 bags$82.16one way$164.32 returnBook Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar14 seats14 bags$97.40one way$194.80 returnBook 20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar20 seats20 bags$124.45one way$248.90 returnBook 37-seat coach37 seats37 bags$143.36one way$286.72 returnBook 45-seat coach45 seats45 bags$179.56one way$359.12 returnBook 51-seat coach51 seats51 bags$210.04one way$420.08 returnBook

Fares to the centre of Nuwara Eliya, 152.4 km by Google’s route, as the booking form works them out. Your hotel may be a little nearer or further: enter its address in the form for its own fare.

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The drive

Google’s route leaves the plains at Avissawella and follows the A7 up the Kelani valley through Kitulgala, then over the hills to Hatton and Talawakele. Between Hatton and Talawakele the road passes St Clair’s and Devon falls, with tea bushes on every slope.

Arriving in Nuwara Eliya

The town is cool all year, with nights often near 10 °C, so keep a warm layer in your hand luggage. Gregory Lake, the race course and the old British-era buildings are all in town; Horton Plains is about an hour’s drive further on.

From here, Ella is about 60 km to the east, and Kandy about 75 km to the north.

Other routes from the airport