Colombo Airport to Kandy

Kandy, the hill capital and home of the Temple of the Tooth, is 114 km from the airport by Google’s route, about three hours by car. On most round trips of the island it is the first night inland.

• 114 km by road from the airport
• about 3 h driving time (Google)
• from $33.52 one way, City car
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

Fares to Kandy

Kandy lies just past the 100 km that a starting price covers, so the fare is the starting price plus 14 km at the vehicle’s rate per km.

VehicleSeatsBagsOne wayReturn

City carSuzuki Wagon R or similar2 seats2 bags$33.52one way$67.04 returnBook Station wagonHonda Shuttle or similar3 seats5 bags$37.23one way$74.46 returnBook Economy carToyota Prius or similar3 seats3 bags$39.94one way$79.88 returnBook Standard carToyota Premio or similar3 seats3 bags$45.22one way$90.44 returnBook SUVSsangYong Kyron or similar4 seats6 bags$45.65one way$91.30 returnBook Luxury SUVToyota Prado or similar4 seats6 bags$107.04one way$214.08 returnBook Mini vanToyota Hiace or similar6 seats10 bags$47.78one way$95.56 returnBook Mini busToyota Hiace High Roof or similar14 seats14 bags$59.20one way$118.40 returnBook 20-seat coachToyota Coaster or similar20 seats20 bags$77.47one way$154.94 returnBook 37-seat coach37 seats37 bags$89.88one way$179.76 returnBook 45-seat coach45 seats45 bags$106.98one way$213.96 returnBook 51-seat coach51 seats51 bags$129.82one way$259.64 returnBook

Fares to the centre of Kandy, 114.2 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 goes north on the Central Expressway (E04) towards Kurunegala, then turns east on the A10 through Mawathagama and Galagedara and crosses the Mahaweli river at Katugastota into Kandy. The road climbs gently on the last part; Kandy lies at about 500 m.

Arriving in Kandy

The town centre is small, built around Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth, and its streets are slow at rush hours. Many hotels sit on the hills around the town, up narrow roads. Enter the hotel’s own address in the form and the fare includes those last kilometres.

During the Esala Perahera, the temple’s great procession in July or August, the streets around the lake close in the evenings. On those days an arrival in the afternoon is the easier one.

Going on from Kandy

Most routes into the hills start here: Nuwara Eliya is about 75 km further, and Sigiriya about 90 km to the north. A ride from Kandy to either is booked with the same form, hotel to hotel.

Other routes from the airport