Kandy to Ella

Kandy to Ella is one of the favourite legs of a round trip through the hills. By car it is 135 km on Google’s route, about three and three quarter hours; the famous train takes six to seven.

• 135 km by road from Kandy
• about 3 h 45 min driving time (Google)
• from $76 one way, City car
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

Fares from Kandy to Ella

As for every ride in the booking form, 50 km are in the starting price; the other 85 km are charged at the vehicle’s rate per km. Going the other way, from Ella to Kandy, costs about the same.

VehicleSeatsBagsOne wayReturn

City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar2 seats2 bags$76.00one way$152.00 returnBook Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar3 seats5 bags$79.00one way$158.00 returnBook Economy carToyota Prius or similar3 seats3 bags$85.25one way$170.50 returnBook Standard carToyota Premio or similar3 seats3 bags$94.50one way$189.00 returnBook SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar4 seats6 bags$98.75one way$197.50 returnBook Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar4 seats6 bags$220.05one way$440.10 returnBook Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar7 seats10 bags$103.00one way$206.00 returnBook Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar14 seats14 bags$125.75one way$251.50 returnBook 20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar20 seats20 bags$145.00one way$290.00 returnBook 37-seat coach37 seats37 bags$282.50one way$565.00 returnBook 45-seat coach45 seats45 bags$335.00one way$670.00 returnBook 51-seat coach51 seats51 bags$397.50one way$795.00 returnBook

Fares from the centre of Kandy to the centre of Ella, 135.0 km by Google’s route, as the booking form works them out. Your hotels may be a little nearer or further: enter both addresses in the form for their own fare.

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The drive

Google’s route does not go over Nuwara Eliya. It leaves Kandy to the east on small roads through the hills, follows the B492 for more than 50 km, then takes the road from Mahiyangana towards Badulla and climbs the last stretch to Ella. The road has many bends and some narrow stretches.

Car or train?

The train through the tea country is a highlight for many travellers, but reserved seats are often sold out in the season, and all luggage rides with you. By car you leave when you like, door to door. Travellers who want to see Nuwara Eliya on the way can book two rides instead: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, then Nuwara Eliya to Ella.

From Ella

The next leg usually leads down to the coast: Mirissa and Arugam Bay are each about three hours away.

Other routes between towns