How to get from Colombo airport to Kandy and what to see along the way. Transfer (taxi) from Colombo to Kandy What cities can you visit while traveling by train in Sri Lanka
As I already wrote in Sri Lanka. Part 1 Negombo. Kandy, Matale, Aluvihara. , on the forums there were great doubts about the possibility of doing this route (Kandy-Dambulla-Sigiriya-Kandy) by bus in one day. We responsibly declare that this is absolutely possible to do without any problems.
So, by 8 o'clock we arrived at the Kandy bus station. The dispatcher showed us three buses that were leaving for Dambulla in the near future: two white ones with red numbers - passing, and one minibus with air conditioning, going only to Dambulla. There were still 20 minutes before the departure of the latter, while the whites were practically getting ready to set off. We chose a minibus, more expensive (38 rupees for 2 people), but with air conditioning. At 11 o'clock we got off at Dambulla and the conductor showed us the stop where buses departed for Sigiriya.
Our appearance, of course, did not go unnoticed by the tukers on duty here. Their offers were as follows: 1000 rupees to Sigiriya or 1500 round trip. We waved them off, declaring that we wanted to take the bus (according to the information from the network, the price for the bus was 15 rupees per person). After standing for a couple of minutes under the mercilessly scorching sun, we began to wonder when the bus would arrive. The survey was depressing: within an hour, because Sigiriya is too small a village for transport to go there more often. It is very strange that the “site number 1”, as stated in the Sigiriya guidebooks, does not have regular communications. After consulting, we decided to take the journey only in one direction. So as not to look at the clock and then find out how much it actually costs to wait for a tukker.
For 1000 rupees and about 20 minutes they took us to the entrance. Regarding the road, I want to say that except for the last couple of kilometers it is quite decent. Then a sign appears deep into the jungle with the inscription “Sigiriya” and the quality of the road noticeably deteriorates. As we understand, a bus stops at this point, drops off tourists and continues on past. The last section is covered on foot. We overtook two such pairs of tourists walking briskly along the side of the road.
Enough has been written about Sigiriya. Therefore, I will not present detailed information that can be read in any guidebook. In short, the unattractive personality of King Kasapa of the 1st century. At the end of the 5th century, he killed his father, seized power, and in order to hide from the wrath of his indignant brother, he built a fortress on a cliff 200 meters high and moved the capital there from Anuradhapura. This did not help him; he was nevertheless defeated, and the capital was moved back.
A ticket to visit Sigiriya costs $30 or 4500 rupees (the price is indicated both ways). The ticket contains three tear-off coupons. One is just the entrance to the territory,
the other - directly to the rock, the third - to the museum. Near the rock, tourists are met by groups of macaques ready to take a treat,
and in the absence of an active offer, they can themselves get into the bags of unwary visitors. That’s what happened to me: I was filming a video, my bag was hanging on my shoulder, and at that moment the macaque, sitting next to me on the fence, just like a proprietor, rushed and opened my bag. It’s good that the bag stayed on the shoulder, and the macaque didn’t manage to steal anything valuable, only the banana lying on top.
The climb is divided into two parts:
to the Lion Gate along the mirror wall
and walls with frescoes (photos and videos are strictly prohibited and are strictly enforced)
and from the Lion Gate to the summit.
By the way, we have the opinion that photography is prohibited not because of the great value of the mirror wall (there is nothing mirrored in it) and the frescoes (they are in very poor condition), but so that those who have not yet been there will They didn’t see that there was nothing to see there. The journey of 750 steps is quite surmountable, although it is very hot, and periodically there is a traffic jam on the narrow stairs.
You definitely need hats and water with you (there is nowhere to buy it there). The remains of the Lion Gate are the only place where at least something of its former greatness has been preserved.
There is nothing special at the top at all. Only the protruding remains of the foundations,
the remnant of some reservoir,
Top view of the surrounding area:
On the way back, you can go to the museum; a ticket for it has already been issued anyway. Here you can see everything the same, but in photos and videos. Plus some exhibits and a model of an ancient man’s home. But here you can rest in the shade and use the free toilet. If the last two points are not needed, you can safely pass by. In total, a leisurely exploration of Sigiriya takes about two hours. We also briefly examined the area adjacent to the rock. Here are the Cobra Rock with the remains of elements of ancient frescoes, the remains of the royal summer palace and the pools that were part of the famous gardens.
As a result, Sigiriya disappointed us; it made the least impression on us of all the sights we saw in Sri Lanka. Perhaps because it is stated everywhere that Sigiriya is the calling card of the country, and we expected more. We got the impression that the property was very overvalued. Of course, it’s worth a look if you come to Sri Lanka, but the feeling that you overpaid remains. The price is about the same as in the Cambodian Angkor complex, but how can they be compared? In our opinion, a visit should cost no more than $15.
Having completed the inspection, we returned to the site where the tukker brought us. But they noticed that the entire tourist mass was moving further along the alley. We decided to go there too. About 10 minutes the journey lay along the road among the tropical forest with numerous posters on the side of the road, which depicted animals and birds of Sri Lanka with descriptions. As a result, we came to an area filled with buses, souvenir and food stalls. A survey of bus drivers showed that they are all registered buses, and there are no scheduled buses among them. A young guy, a tuk-tuk driver, came to us, and we agreed that he would take us straight to the Dambulla cave temple for 900 rupees. The time on the clock was 13-30.
On the way, the driver, having learned that after visiting the temple we were going to Kandy, offered to take us there in the same tuk for 3,000 rupees. We refused, surprised by the pricing methodology. Dambulla-Sigiriya route (20 min) - 900-1000 rupees, and Dambulla-Kandy (3 hours by bus or almost 70 km!!!) - 3000 rupees. But it definitely became clear that we would make it back to Kandy in any case, even if there was no bus, because in this case we could just take a tuk.
It took us a little longer to get to the cave or, as the tuker called it, the “golden temple” than we expected. The outskirts of Dambulla appeared, then we turned off the road into the forest and drove for another ten minutes along some unsightly country roads. It became completely clear that getting back out and getting to the bus stop in Kandy would be problematic. We had to ask the tuk driver if he could wait for us and then take us to the stop. He nodded in response. We drove up and stopped on a cleared dirt area. There was no one on it, except for another fat. The driver showed us to a stone staircase, at the foot of which there was a stone booth - a ticket office. Our driver exchanged a few words with the driver of the tuk that was here and said that it was not he who would take us back, but another tuk. The driver of the other tuk confirmed his agreement.
We were somewhat puzzled by the surroundings, as we expected the cave temple, as one of the main attractions, to be located in a more befitting setting. Moreover, there were quite respectable photos of the entrance to the temple on the Internet. We bought two tickets for 1,500 rupees each and, making sure that the cave temple was listed on them, we began the ascent. The road was not very well maintained.
The climb took about 15 minutes. During the entire time we met only one more tourist - a lonely Japanese woman, tiredly fanning herself. We were accompanied all the way by a large escort of macaques. Judging by the screams, there were even more of them in the depths of the forest. We fed the macaques the remains of bananas, which caused a great stir in the monkey community. The macaques boldly approached, took pieces of bananas from their hands, jumped away and then started noisy fights over the division of the spoils. Finally we reached the top of the hill, where there was a gate and an area with benches for taking off shoes.
The cave temple in Dambulla is a very interesting object. A must visit. The spirit of antiquity simply hovers inside.
In the first cave (there are 80 caves in total, but only five of them are publicly accessible) there is a reclining Buddha at the moment of entering nirvana.
The atmosphere of the temple is imbued with meditative goodness.
In the second (largest) cave, the Maharajalen Temple (1st century BC), the ceiling and wall paintings are well preserved, I highly recommend checking them out.
Outside the Bo tree the macaques are on duty again
Having finished visiting the temple
and having put on our shoes, we were about to set off on the way back, but I continued to be tormented by doubts: where is that view of the entrance to the Dambulla temple that we saw on the Internet in the photo?
So, let me remind you that the route around Sri Lanka was like this:
Colombo (airport) - Induruwa - Hikkaduwa - Gol (Galle) - Colombo - Kandy - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya - Negambo. You can read about it briefly in the blog about.
The other day there was a story about the Dutch fort Gole (Halle) - which means we are moving on!
We spent the night in Hikkaduwa, and went to Gol just for a walk. After spending the night in Hikkaduwa with friends, we set off at 6 am on the local train in the direction of Colombo. There is no direct train from Hikkaduwa to Colombo.
By the way, the train is very comfortable! There are so many fans alone! You can turn them on or off - as you please :). We drove for a couple of hours, and I, as a rare European person here on public transport with white hair, was given up my seat!
The best way to get from Colombo to Kandy is by train!
Travel, I must say, is very affordable throughout the island - so if you travel by public transport, the trip will be very inexpensive :). And the trains here are much more comfortable than even ours. Second grade for sure! I don’t know what’s true in the third...
The Colombo-Kandy train takes approximately 4 hours. The road around is so mesmerizing that time flies by too quickly. To be honest, I wanted to ride more... There are continuous and beautiful palm groves of rich green color all around! It’s simply impossible to tear yourself away from the window, except to take a photo.
For orientation and convenience, I give the train schedule on how to get from Colombo to Kandy.
We arrived in Kandy around lunchtime. We did not pre-book any hotel and decided to get our bearings on the spot. At the station we approached one Tuk-Tuker and asked to be taken to a good, but not expensive, place to spend the night. We must give him credit - a small private hotel was located near the beautiful Kandy Lake. A room for $25 even included breakfast.
Tuk-Tuker also recommended an excellent local cafe on the shore of the lake - Garden Cafe, which we searched for a long time and tediously in the downpour, but finally found! Here it is - delicious, mega-spicy and super cheap! I recommend.
Be sure to take a walk around the entire lake. It is, of course, very beautiful here. Immediately after these magical shots, it didn’t just rain from the sky, but it started pouring from a bucket))))!!! There's no other way to say it :). But I will remember it for the rest of my life!
But this was not the purpose of the trip to Kandy. Kandy has a completely unique Royal Botanic Garden. Yes! All capital letters - because this greatness and beauty is difficult to describe. But I'll try in the next post :). Since you are interested in information on how to get from Colombo to Kandy, you simply must visit this magical place.
One of the most popular routes for independent travel runs from the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, to the cultural center of the island - the city of Kandy and, further, to the picturesque highlands. In this article I will talk about all the ways to get from Colombo to Kandy, their cost, duration, pros and cons of plane, train, bus, taxi and car rental.
From this article you will learn:
1 | Airplane is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Kandy
If you arrive at the main airport of Sri Lanka, Bandaranaike International Airport, then you can, without visiting the city of Colombo, go straight to Kandy by plane, or rather by seaplane.
Flight time from Colombo to Kandy - 1 hour.
In Kandy, the plane lands on the waters of the Mahahueli River. The plane's landing site is called Polgolla Reservoir Airport (KDZ) and is located 5 kilometers north of the center of Kandy. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center and the famous landmark, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, will take about 20 minutes.
Main plus airplane as a way to get from Colombo to Kandy - quickly.
Disadvantage of the plane- This is the most expensive way to get to Kandy.
2 | From Colombo to Kandy by train
The train is probably the most popular way to get from Colombo to Kandy. Note, not from the airport, but from the city. The train departs from the main railway station - Colombo Fort, which is located in the center of the old city.
The journey from Colombo to Kandy will take about 3 hours (if the train is not late). The train arrives at Kandy's main railway station, which is located in the heart of the city (1 km from the Temple of the Tooth Relic).
Train ticket cost in a second class carriage - about $15, a seat in a first class carriage (with air conditioning) - $18.5. Second and first class tickets can be purchased in advance. Tickets purchased on the website must be received in paper form (the railway does not yet accept electronic tickets) - tickets will be delivered to your hotel in Colombo for $10.
Train schedule Colombo - Kandy (source: ) Tickets for third-class carriages are the cheapest (cost a couple of dollars) and are sold at the station ticket office in unlimited quantities. Therefore, you can always leave. The only question is in what conditions and how crowded the carriage is. Please note that the Colombo - Kandy route is very popular among the local population and the carriages are often packed with a lot of people.
If the thought of traveling for several hours in tropical heat and “fragrant” cramped conditions does not please you, then it is better to board a second or first class carriage.
The main advantage of the train as a way to get from Colombo to Kandy - low price.
Minus the train- not a convenient way for travelers with children and large suitcases. The road, after all, will consist of several stages: first you need to get from the airport to the city of Colombo, get or buy train tickets, and upon arrival, you will most likely need a taxi to get from the station to your hotel in Kandy.
3 | From Colombo to Kandy by bus
From Colombo Central Bus Station you can go to Kandy by bus. You can use cheap government buses, the trip on which will cost a few dollars, but it’s difficult to call such a trip comfortable - the seats are narrow, the conditions are spartan, and the duration of the trip is unpredictable.
I recommend using more convenient option- a comfortable tourist bus Colombo - Kandy, a ticket for which can be bought for $6 on the Klook website.
Bus schedule: bus route A (Colombo - Kandy) departs from Colombo city center station every day at 18:25 and arrives at the central bus station in Kandy city center at 21:45.
The main advantage of the bus- low price and at the same time comfortable travel conditions (if we talk about a tourist bus).
Disadvantage of the bus- just like trains, this is not the most convenient option to get from Colombo to Kandy for travelers weighed down with luggage.
4 | From Colombo to Kandy by car rental
You can book a car of the desired class and configuration on the EconomyBookings or Rentalcars website, pick it up directly at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport and immediately go on a trip to the sights of Sri Lanka, without being tied to train or bus schedules, saving on transfers and taxis.
Cost of car rental- from $30 per day.
This method is suitable for experienced drivers who are ready to adapt to the rather chaotic driving style of local residents and dodge impudent buses.
The main advantage of renting a car- freedom of movement.
Disadvantage of car rental- it’s a very nervous activity, driving on the roads of Sri Lanka.
5 | Transfer (taxi) from Colombo to Kandy
Undoubtedly this the most convenient way get from the airport or Colombo city to Kandy. You will be picked up from the airport or hotel in Colombo at any time and transferred to your hotel in Kandy. No additional manipulations with finding local taxis from the hotel to the station or from the station to the hotel, no transferring suitcases from one vehicle to another.
Transfer to Kandy from Colombo Airport or from your hotel in Colombo city can be ordered .
Transfer cost from Colombo to Kandy - from $72 per car.
When we were planning our trip to Sri Lanka, we learned that one of the main attractions of the country is the train! Yes, yes, an ordinary train. More precisely, an English train, since the railway, stations and trains themselves were built under the British. Since then, they have been working properly to this day, being the main transport of Sri Lanka.
The main advantage of traveling by train in Sri Lanka is the beautiful views from the window and immersion in the daily life of the locals. We decided to take the advice of taking a Sri Lankan train. And now I will tell you about everything you need to know in order to carefully plan such a trip - I will share the train schedule in Sri Lanka, a map of trains and their routes, and, of course, my impressions. Is it even worth traveling by train in Sri Lanka? Read all the details in the article.
A trip to Sri Lanka is unthinkable without the opportunity to ride a Sri Lankan train. Trains in Sri Lanka are not an attraction, but a real means of transport for the people. It is suitable for everyone because of its low cost and the ability to choose the level of comfort.
Trains in Sri Lanka come in three classes: 1st class is more expensive and much more comfortable than the rest. Mostly, foreigners travel in first class carriages. The difference between 2nd and 3rd class carriages is small; they are best suited for budget travelers. Local residents usually go there too.
Most tourists board a train in Sri Lanka solely for the opportunity to see the incredibly inspiring views from the train window. Basically, they prefer one direction - to the mountainous country to drive past the tea plantations. But the trip from Colombo to Galle is also wonderful - the railway line runs along the coast and you can admire the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lankans use the railway not only to travel by train between cities, but also to run errands between small villages. In the photo - Ella, Sri Lanka
And to other attractions of Sri Lanka, tourists prefer to travel in comfortable buses (VIP class, not the public buses of Sri Lanka, which are just as uncomfortable and dirty as trains) or on rented transport with a driver or on their own.
Compared to trains in Myanmar, where railway transport was also organized by the British, the train in Sri Lanka is more reliable (and new trains have appeared in recent years!). During our trip we were unable to board the train. He just didn't come. As we later found out, this is a common occurrence there. This almost never happens in Sri Lanka. Trains are slow, but still run on schedule.
Boarding the train to Kandy 
Inside an old 3rd class carriage
Railway map of Sri Lanka
A train map in Sri Lanka will be very useful to understand your travel route.
Railway map of Sri Lanka (clickable)
As can be seen from the diagram, four railway lines radiate from Colombo throughout Sri Lanka: to Matara, to Jaffna, to Avisavella and to Peryanagavilla. The remaining branches begin their journey in other major cities of the island of Ceylon. The most famous route that is of interest to tourists is a train journey from Kandy to Badulla through the mountainous country.
In addition, a branch line departs from Maho to Batticaloa (this is an eastern resort town), stopping along the way at the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. So you can definitely get by train from Colombo to Polonnaruwa, which is one of the peaks of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka.
Read also:
To find out which train is most convenient for you to travel in the desired direction, it is best to check the train schedule in Sri Lanka. Knowing the exact Sri Lanka train schedule, you can easily change from one train to another and get inexpensively to almost anywhere in the country.
A convenient schedule for all directions is shown in the diagram. It also says next to each city how long it will take to get from it to Colombo. The prices for tickets for all classes of carriages are also indicated: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In my opinion, this is a very convenient scheme.
Sri Lanka trains have their own website - http://www.railway.gov.lk/ However, it is not particularly useful for travelers, since it is impossible to buy tickets online. But you can learn how to transport goods by train and read about the history of the railways of Sri Lanka.
- Helpful information. You can view the current train schedule in Sri Lanka
How to buy a train ticket in Sri Lanka
Train tickets in Sri Lanka are in most cases easy to purchase just before the train departs. It's very simple. You need to arrive at the station in advance, go to the ticket office, pay for the ticket and board the train in an empty seat (if there is one). All this applies to 2nd and 3rd class carriages. If you do not board at the departure station, you will most likely have to ride standing.
You can buy 1st class train tickets in Sri Lanka in advance. Ticket sales begin 30 days before the intended travel date. It is not possible to book online. You can only buy it while in Sri Lanka. In Colombo you need to come to Colombo Fort at office 17. In other cities and at other stations the same rule applies. You can also call by phone and reserve a seat in a 1st class carriage, but only in the direction Colombo - Kandy. It is worth keeping in mind that 1st class tickets sell out very quickly.
How to book a train ticket in Sri Lanka?
You need to call 365 from your local Mobitel SIM card (the national provider of Sri Lanka) and book a seat on the train for the desired date and time. Soon you will receive an SMS with your number. When you arrive at the station, this number will need to be shown to the station manager or directly at the Mobitel office. You will be immediately given a ticket (M-ticket). The money for the ticket will be debited from your mobile account.
Advice. Very often, travelers leave the train station upset because they heard that the train is crowded and there are no tickets. However, this only means that all 1st class seats have been purchased. Tickets for 2nd and 3rd class are still on sale. It's just that many Sri Lankans still can't believe that the white misters will ride with them.
Magnificent views from the Kandy-Nuwara Eliya train
What cities can you visit while traveling by train in Sri Lanka?
Any trip to Sri Lanka begins in Colombo or Negombo, the closest cities to Baidanarayke International Airport. Let's start getting acquainted with the country from its capital - the city of Colombo. More precisely, from Colombo Fort, the main station of the country, from where trains depart in all directions.
Colombo Fort on the map
Northern direction: Kandy - Anuradhapura - Jaffna.
- If you travel to the north of Sri Lanka, it is worth getting off the train at to visit the colonial city around the lake and the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic. Very close by is located, which we personally really liked for its rich collection of various plants - trees and flowers. And of course, it is also worth it to get off at the station and spend one day in the ancient city. End station - Jaffna- the capital of the Tamils, may be of interest to those tourists who study all aspects of the life of the country.
- From Colombo Fort you can also go towards Negombo and to Peryanagavillu station. Train intervals are every hour.
- A relatively small section of the railway was built from Colombo to Avisawellu. Trains run here several times a day.
- A new line starts from Medavacchia station - to the island Mannar. The train runs twice a day.
Train to the east coast of Sri Lanka: Maho - Polonnaruwa - Batticaloa and Trincomalee
From the northern line that goes to Jaffna at the station Maho you can go east, to the coast. On the way to the resort Batticaloa the train stops at . And in Gal Oya you can change trains to Trincomalee, where you can sunbathe on almost virgin beaches, which, in comparison, have their own unique flavor.
The most popular train route from Kandy to Ella in the hill country
Most tourists travel to Sri Lanka by train along this route – from to Ella. Although the final station of this route is the city. Why is everyone ignoring Badulla? The colonial city does not beat Nuwara Eliya in terms of legend and the number of tea plantations and loses to Ella in picturesqueness. Although there is one nearby, and it’s still worth going to Badulla for it.
So, the train starts from Kandy and travels along the route: Hutton(exit for Sri Pada, Adam's Peak) - Nanu Oya (this is the name of the station next to Nuwara Eliya, you need to get off here) - Ohia(exit for visiting Horton Plains Park) - Ella - Badulla.
This is how your train journey from Kandy begins 
Our travel companion is a Sri Lankan baby 
Tourists hang from the running boards to take photos of the beautiful views
You can get from Colombo to Kandy by bus, taxi and train. We recommend that you go by train. Since it is not only the cheapest and fastest, but also more interesting and safer.
Train
At Colombo Fort station we find track 3. There are several of them, so we need the outermost platform near the station building. By the way, at the station there are active “helpers”, men who will kindly show you which track and train, and then ask for money. We gave such a friend 100 rupees, although he asked for 1000.
Tip: buy tickets Colombo - Kandy 2-3 days in advance, as there may not be enough seats
This is what the required platform looks like from the pedestrian bridge:
Ticket price to Kandy is approximately per person
1st class: 500 rupees
2nd class: 250 rupees
3rd class: 100 rupees
The train to Kandy is approaching. First class carriage ahead:
How to find out what class the car is?
On each carriage, near the doors, there is a number indicating the class of the carriage. The first class carriages look modern.
We get on the train. We traveled from Colombo to Kandy in first class. Of course, this car is worth the money. Clean and modern. Traders don't come here. The air conditioners are working at full capacity, warm clothes will come in handy.
Train Colombo-Kandy. 1st class carriage
First class train tickets look like an A4 printout. Second and third class tickets look something like this:
While driving, you can sleep, watch Indian films on monitors or enjoy beautiful views:
After 4 hours we arrived at the Kandy train station:
Waiting hall
Where can I order a transfer from the airport?
We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.
How to use this thing remains a mystery to us:
Externally the station building looks like this:
Hotels in Kandy
- Hantana Home Stay
- 38b Homestay Heerassagala
- Mountain View Holiday Home
- Greenwood Edge Hanthana
- Hill City Mansion- hotel near the station
All hotels on Booking.com
Return route: Kandy - Colombo train
2nd class carriages
We were unable to buy return tickets for 1st class, as we bought them on the day of departure, so we went in a second class carriage without reserved seats and without air conditioning. That is, whoever stood up first gets the slippers.
There are no air conditioners, but there are ceiling fans. I can’t say that the heat was unbearable, the windows were open and there was good air flow, our trains are much hotter in the summer
There were a lot of people, there weren’t enough seats for everyone, so we rode standing first. Our company consisted of 4 girls and one man. We must pay tribute to the Sri Lankans, they showed an unusually good side and gave way to women. Katya and I swapped places and in 4.5 hours we got to Colombo.
3rd class carriages
The carriages are not much different from 2nd class, they are exactly the same shabby. They also have wooden seats for 3 people and can accommodate more people.
You can cool down while driving outside. Doors on Sri Lankan trains never close.
You can also have a snack during the trip or at stops. Sellers of some strange food and cold drinks are constantly wandering around the train, singing yet another tongue twister in their own language. By the way, merchants do not enter 1st class carriages.
Is it safe to travel in Sri Lanka by train?
Our opinion is quite safe. We traveled by train in Sri Lanka several times, and there was never a single criminal incident with either tourists or locals. Follow the usual safety rules and everything will be fine.
Transfer Colombo - Kandy by taxi
It is possible to order a transfer to Kandy from Colombo or from your hotel at the resorts of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Bentota. Prices vary depending on where you are. You can order a taxi in Kandy online follow this link >>
Book transfer to Kandy online