The island of Sri Lanka has a lot to offer visitors, from the beautiful landscapes that populate the island to its historic cities and cultural sites. If you like both cities and landscapes, both Colombo and Kandy should be on your list of places to visit in Sri Lanka. Colombo, the country’s commercial capital and largest city, is located on the west coast of the city. Here you will find an architecture of contrasts that, on the one hand, identifies Colombo as the financial capital of Sri Lanka, and on the other, reflects its colonial history. There are many parks and gardens around the city, although it also has good beaches. From here you can travel to the center of the country to visit Kandy. As the last capital of the ancient era of Sri Lanka’s king, Kandy is a pretty city with a lake and surrounded by lush green hills. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the Buddha Tooth Temple and many other things of interest.
Travel options from Colombo to Kandy
These two tourist destinations are relatively close, so traveling from Colombo to Kandy is quite simple. By road, the shortest distance is only 116 km (72 miles), but the road is quite winding in some places, which may take longer than you think. Private car, taxi and van are all good options for road travel, but there is also a train that goes from Colombo to Kandy and must be booked at least 32 days in advance. It is an economical and highly recommended experience, which we will talk about in more detail below.
By car or taxi from Colombo to Kandy
Traffic on the main route between Colombo and Kandy © eFesenko / Shutterstock.com
Although it is only 116 km from Colombo to Kandy, you will have to allocate a lot of time to get from one city to another. As mentioned earlier, the road winds its way up the foot of the hills and through Tea Country in some places, offering fantastic views. But the road is very busy and there can be quite a lot of traffic, which will make your trip longer.
If you prefer to do things at your own pace, you can rent a car, which will allow you to stop along the way for photos and rest, but remember that the main road, the A1, is tolled on the way, so you’ll need to bring cash. Even if you drive non-stop, it will probably take 2.5-3.5 hours to get there, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
A better way to travel is to take a taxi or van from Colombo. This may seem like an expensive option, but if you’re traveling with friends or family, it can turn out to be quite affordable if you split the cost between everyone. The advantage of a taxi is that it will take you door to door and you won’t have to worry about getting to the station or finding your hotel when you arrive in Kandy. That’s why taxis are such a practical option.
Stef Lanka Tours offers three different options depending on the number of passengers traveling. A regular comfort vehicle for 2 passengers costs the same as a van for up to 4 passengers. If you are a larger group, a normal van can take up to 8 passengers. It is more expensive, but the price will be divided among more people. The planned travel time is 5 hours and while it probably won’t take long to get there, have plenty of time just in case.
Train from Colombo to Kandy
Traveling between the two cities offers fantastic views, but even more spectacular landscapes can be enjoyed by traveling by train. Trains in Sri Lanka have two big advantages compared to the rest of the means of transport: they are very cheap and they are a lot of fun. Add to that the stunning landscape you’ll enjoy while traveling through the country of tea, and you’ll understand why almost all travelers prefer the train over any other option.
Trains are operated by Sri Lanka Railways. If you’ve traveled by train in Asia before, you know that there can be big differences between the trains of one country and another. In Sri Lanka, wagons are pretty basic. There are no sleeping compartments and facilities are generally limited, but all trains are comfortable and clean. Besides, it won’t really matter what you look out of the window for most of the trip.
Tickets for Sri Lanka Railway travel must be booked at least 32 days in advance, which is an important factor to consider when looking for a way to travel from Colombo to Kandy. Be sure to make your reservation well in advance. The good thing is that there are many trains every day and you can choose a seat in first or second class. Both options are very affordable and there is usually not much difference between them. First class seats are a bit more comfortable and some trains will have air conditioning.
In addition to being able to enjoy the wonderful landscapes of Tea Island, traveling by train in Sri Lanka is a cultural experience. Taxis are a good option for groups, but we and many other travelers recommend the train from Colombo to Kandy. Don’t forget the rule of thumb to book at least 32 days in advance if you finally decide to travel by train.