Colombo Airport to Ella

Ella, a village in the hills of Uva, is far from the airport by any road. Google’s route is 335 km and about five hours: it goes the long way round by the south coast, because the expressway is quicker than the hill roads.

• 335 km by road from the airport
• about 5 h driving time (Google)
• from $166.18 one way, City car
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

Fares to Ella

The fare is worked out on that route, like every fare in the booking form: the first 100 km are in the starting price, the remaining 235 km are charged at the vehicle’s rate per km. For a family or a group, a van or mini bus shared between several people often works out cheaper per head.

VehicleSeatsBagsOne wayReturn

City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar2 seats2 bags$166.18one way$332.36 returnBook Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar3 seats5 bags$180.95one way$361.90 returnBook Economy carToyota Prius or similar3 seats3 bags$194.71one way$389.42 returnBook Standard carToyota Premio or similar3 seats3 bags$204.42one way$408.84 returnBook SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar4 seats6 bags$211.48one way$422.96 returnBook Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar4 seats6 bags$372.36one way$744.72 returnBook Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar6 seats10 bags$246.77one way$493.54 returnBook Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar14 seats14 bags$280.30one way$560.60 returnBook 20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar20 seats20 bags$349.42one way$698.84 returnBook 37-seat coach37 seats37 bags$399.42one way$798.84 returnBook 45-seat coach45 seats45 bags$527.07one way$1,054.14 returnBook 51-seat coach51 seats51 bags$594.13one way$1,188.26 returnBook

Fares to the centre of Ella, 335.3 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

The car follows the Southern Expressway past Galle and Matara to its eastern end near Hambantota, then turns inland to Wellawaya at the foot of the hills. The last part climbs the Ella Gap, past the Rawana falls, to Ella at about 1,000 m.

Arriving in Ella

The village is small, with hotels and guest houses along the main road and up the slopes around it. The Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak are both walks from the village.

Many travellers reach Ella on a round trip through the hills, by way of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Each leg can be booked as a ride of its own, from hotel to hotel.

Other routes from the airport