Ella to Kandy: How to Get There

Ella to Kandy at a glance

Option 1: Private car with driver (recommended)

A private car is the easiest and most reliable way to travel from Ella to Kandy, especially while the train is disrupted. Your driver picks you up at your hotel, and you can stop at viewpoints, tea factories and waterfalls along the way.

Why travellers choose a car:

• Door to door, with no changes.
• Reliable, whatever the train situation.
• Scenic, through the heart of the tea country.
• Flexible, with stops whenever you like.
• Easy with luggage.

See our private driver page and travelling Sri Lanka with a private driver.

The route

The usual route heads west from Ella through Bandarawela and Welimada, climbs to Nuwara Eliya, then winds down through the Ramboda pass, past waterfalls and tea estates, to Kandy.

The roads are winding and slow, so allow plenty of time, and more in heavy rain or fog.

Option 2: Train

The train journey between Kandy and Ella is one of the most famous in the world, through tea estates, tunnels and mountains. However, the line has been disrupted:

• Ella to Nanu Oya: running since June 2026.
• Nanu Oya to Kandy: services suspended since late October 2026, and the Kandy end of the line has been affected since Cyclone Ditwah.

At the time of writing (November 2026), you can't take the train all the way from Ella to Kandy. A popular option is to ride the train from Ella to Nanu Oya for the scenery, and meet your driver at Nanu Oya to continue by car to Kandy. Check the current status before you travel. See Ella to Nuwara Eliya, the Kandy to Ella train and our train tour.

Option 3: Bus

There's no direct bus from Ella to Kandy at most times of day. Usually, you'd take a bus to Nuwara Eliya or Badulla and change to a bus to Kandy. The journey takes most of the day, and buses can be crowded on the mountain roads.

Comparing the options

Best stops on the way

• Ella Gap viewpoint: the view as you leave Ella, down towards the southern plains.
• Bandarawela: a busy hill town with a market.
• Hakgala Botanical Garden and the Seetha Amman Temple, just before Nuwara Eliya.
• Nuwara Eliya: Gregory Lake and the colonial town. See Nuwara Eliya.
• Tea factories: around Nuwara Eliya and Ramboda. See tea experiences.
• Ramboda Falls: a tall waterfall beside the road. See waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
• Kotmale reservoir viewpoints on the way down to Kandy.

Split the journey

If you have time, spend a night in Nuwara Eliya. You'll have time for a tea factory, Gregory Lake and perhaps an early-morning trip to Horton Plains before continuing to Kandy. See our Nuwara Eliya day tour and Horton Plains.

A sample day

• 8:00 am: leave Ella after breakfast.
• 9:00 am: a short stop in Bandarawela.
• 10:30 am: Hakgala Botanical Garden or the Seetha Amman Temple.
• 11:30 am: Nuwara Eliya, with a walk by Gregory Lake.
• 1:00 pm: lunch, then a tea factory visit.
• 2:30 pm: Ramboda Falls.
• 5:00 pm: arrive in Kandy.

Arriving in Kandy

Plan at least two nights in Kandy to see the Temple of the Tooth, the lake, the botanical gardens and a cultural show. See things to do in Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth and our Kandy city tour.

Onward from Kandy

See Kandy to Sigiriya, Colombo to Kandy and Kandy to Anuradhapura.

Ella to Kandy on a Sri Lanka itinerary

Travelling from Ella to Kandy is common for travellers who start in the south and work their way north:

1. South coast (Galle and Mirissa)
2. Yala or Udawalawe safari
3. Ella (2 nights)
4. Kandy (2 nights), via Nuwara Eliya
5. Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle

See our 14-day tour and Sri Lanka itinerary.

Weather in the hills

The hill country is cooler than the coast, and Nuwara Eliya can be cold. Mist and rain are common, especially in the afternoon, which can slow traffic. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket. See the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

Motion sickness

The road between Nuwara Eliya and Kandy has many bends. If you're prone to car sickness, sit in the front, take motion sickness tablets before you leave, and ask your driver for breaks.

Travelling with children

Plan regular breaks at viewpoints, tea factories and waterfalls. Bring snacks and warm layers for Nuwara Eliya. See Sri Lanka with kids.

Ella before you leave

If you have a morning in Ella before the drive, climb Little Adam's Peak at sunrise or see the Nine Arch Bridge. See things to do in Ella, Little Adam's Peak and Nine Arch Bridge.

Kandy to Ella?

Travelling the other way? See Kandy to Ella.

What the drive is like

The journey from Ella to Kandy is one of the most beautiful drives in Sri Lanka. You'll climb out of Ella past the Ella Gap viewpoint, through Bandarawela's market town and the vegetable fields of Welimada, before reaching the cool plateau around Nuwara Eliya, at almost 1,900 metres. From there, the road winds down through the Ramboda pass, with tea estates on every slope, waterfalls beside the road and views over the Kotmale reservoir, before descending into the warmer valley around Kandy.

Tea country highlights

Tea estates

On the way, you'll pass tea estates that stretch across the hills, with pluckers working on the steep slopes. Your driver can stop at a tea factory for a tour and tasting. See our Sri Lanka tea country guide.

Nuwara Eliya

The colonial hill town, sometimes called "Little England", with Gregory Lake, Victoria Park and old hotels. It's a good place for lunch.

Ramboda

A small area on the mountain road known for its waterfalls and tea estates, with roadside tea centres overlooking the valley.

The train: Ella to Nanu Oya

If the Ella to Nanu Oya section is running when you travel, the train ride is a highlight. It passes through Demodara, Haputale and Pattipola, among the highest points on Sri Lanka's railway, with views of tea estates, forests and mountains.

Tips for the train:

• Book reserved seats where possible, as unreserved carriages get very crowded.
• Sit on the side with the best views (ask locally).
• Let your driver take your luggage by road and meet you at Nanu Oya.
• Check the current timetable the day before.

Where to stay in Kandy

Kandy has hotels around the lake, in the hills with city views, and in the countryside outside town. Staying near the lake makes it easy to walk to the Temple of the Tooth. See where to stay in Sri Lanka.

What it costs

The cost of a private car depends on the vehicle and whether it's part of a longer tour with the same driver. A multi-day tour usually works out better value than one-off transfers. Contact us for a quote.

Kandy highlights in brief

Kandy was the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and is a UNESCO World Heritage city. Don't miss the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya and a traditional dance show. See Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

Safety on the mountain roads

The roads through the hill country are narrow and winding, with buses and trucks on tight bends, and mist or rain can reduce visibility. An experienced local driver knows the roads and drives at a safe pace. See is Sri Lanka safe.

Luggage and vehicle size

A car suits up to three travellers with normal luggage, while a van suits families and groups. If you're taking the train part of the way, your driver will carry your luggage by road.

Booking ahead

Book your driver in advance, especially in the busy season and if you want to combine the drive with a train ride, so the timing can be planned around the train.

Ella to Kandy for families

The long drive can be tiring for children, so break it up with stops at waterfalls, a tea factory and Gregory Lake, where children can take a boat or pony ride. Pack snacks, water and something to keep them busy. A night in Nuwara Eliya makes the trip much easier for young children.

Is it worth stopping in Nuwara Eliya?

Yes. Even a short stop for lunch and a walk by the lake breaks up the journey, and a night there lets you enjoy tea country without rushing.

Rainy-day tip

If it's raining in the hills, visit a tea factory or have a long lunch in Nuwara Eliya, as mist and showers often clear by the afternoon. The waterfalls are at their most impressive after rain, too, so a wet morning has its rewards.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Planning the train without checking the current status.
• Underestimating the drive. The mountain roads are slow.
• Forgetting warm clothes for Nuwara Eliya.
• Rushing through tea country without stopping.