How to Get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a popular destination in Sri Lanka for its temperate climate and rolling tea estates. But you can get a close look at these plantations and their farmers even before you set foot in the city if you take the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. You can buy tickets at the train station on the day of your trip. But most probably only unreserved seats will be available, with fares starting at [price 170 LKR]. Because this is such a busy route, you might want to book reserved seats online at least a month before your trip. Train ticket prices start at $4. The 1st class cabin is air-conditioned, but we prefer the open windows in 2nd class—tickets are cheaper, and the seats are perfect for photo ops! Trains depart from Kandy Railway Station at the city centre and arrive at Nanu Oya Railway Station, 10 km west of Nuwara Eliya city centre. From Nanu Oya, you will have to take a tuk-tuk or a bus for 20 minutes to get to the city centre. You can easily find a tuk-tuk outside the station and they normally charge [price 500 LKR]. Taking a bus is a lot cheaper at [price 20 LKR]. But you will have to walk about 50 m to the bus stop and the buses run only every 20 to 30 minutes. The ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is picturesque anywhere you look, but we think it is best to sit on the right side of the train for this journey. You can check the train schedule below.

Magical Sri Lanka offers a scenic minivan ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya — with a twist. Along the way, you'll make brief stops (5-20 minutes) at some of the area’s tourist spots, including:

1. Ramboda Waterfalls
2. Ramboda Falls View Point
3. Tea Estate and Tea Factory
4. Gregory Park Lake in Nuwara Eliya

The trip costs around and includes free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.