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Kandy is a vibrant city full of culture, history and unique attractions, all surrounded by Sri Lanka's lush countryside. It's the perfect day trip from Colombo if you don't have long to explore Sri Lanka.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to plan a Kandy day trip, from how to get there, how to book train tickets, the best things to do and tips from our own experience.
How to Travel to Kandy from Colombo
There are three main ways to travel from Colombo to Kandy, which includes train, bus or car. Each option has its own advantages depending on your preferences for comfort, time and budget, but if you're looking to enjoy the landscapes, the train ride is the best option.
We also recommend booking the earliest train, bus or transfer possible to maximise your time in Kandy, we booked a 6:30 am train which got us to Kandy at around 9am.
By Train
One of the most popular ways to travel from Colombo to Kandy is by train, this is the option we took. We highly recommend it because it's affordable, comfortable and offers one of the most scenic journeys in Sri Lanka.
The trains depart from Colombo Fort Station, with the journey taking around 2.5 to 3 hours. It has stunning views of Sri Lanka's rolling hills, tea plantations and quaint villages along the way, and you can open the train doors which is an iconic Sri Lankan experience!
Train tickets cost around LKR 900 - 2100/ £2.40 - £5.60 depending on which train you board and seat class you choose (1st, 2nd or 3rd). We paid LKR 2100 each for a one way ticket in the air conditioned carriage.
Don't worry, we'll explain exactly how to book them in the next section!
By Bus
If you're travelling on a budget, taking a bus from Colombo to Kandy is the cheapest option. The journey takes slightly longer than the train, around 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic.
Buses depart from Colombo Central Bus Station regularly and you can choose between normal buses or air-conditioned buses. Regular buses cost less than LKR 200 / £1, whereas air-conditioned buses can cost around LKR 2000 / £6 - £7. Just keep in mind that buses can be crowded, especially during peak travel times!
By Car, Private Transfer or Guided Tour
If the days of travelling on busy trains and buses are behind you, you can opt for a private transfer or hiring a car. Much like the bus, the journey will typically take around 3-4 hours.
You can pre-book private transfers for around £40 - £50 one way, whereas hiring a car costs around £200 - £400 for one week - but we personally wouldn't drive in Sri Lanka as it can be a bit busy and chaotic!
You can also book a guided day trip tour from Colombo to Kandy for around £40-£70, which means you don't have to worry about anything!
How to Book Train Tickets from Colombo to Kandy
You can pre-book train tickets online or you can buy them on the day of travelling. We recommend pre-booking them, especially if you want to reserve seats.
Online Booking
Pre-booking tickets online is the easiest and most reliable method, especially during peak travel times, as you can choose your preferred train class and secure a reserved seat.
To book tickets, you can visit the Sri Lanka Railways website or use third-party booking platforms like 12Go Asia or Train Sri Lanka. Once you’ve chosen your train and class, you pay online and you’ll receive a confirmation.
However, this is only a reservation, not your ticket, you need to collect a printed ticket at the station.
The class you choose depends on your budget and the experience you're after. We booked first class tickets as the carriages have air conditioning and comfortable seating, these are the most expensive tickets at roughly LKR 2000 (£5.36).
However, the windows and doors don't open so you can't have that iconic open door train experience. If you prefer to experience a more authentic train journey, choose the cheaper 2nd or 3rd class tickets which cost around LKR 900 - 1200 / (£2.40 - £3.22).
- First Class: Air-conditioned with comfortable seating (windows & doors don't open)
- Second Class: Less space than First Class but still comfortable (windows can open).
Third Class: Most affordable option with basic seating / standing (more authentic experience).
Buying Tickets at the Train Station
You can buy train tickets at the station on the day of travelling if you prefer, but be aware that you won't have as many options or a guaranteed seat.
Once you arrive at Colombo Fort Station, head to the ticket counters and ask for your destination, preferred train time and class when buying your tickets.
Keep in mind that during busy times the station can get crowded and trains can sell out quickly, so its a good idea to arrive at least 1-2 hours before your train departs.
Our experience at Colombo Fort Station
We booked a 6:30 am train to Kandy and when we arrived at the station it was quite busy, with queues at the ticket offices. It's a bit confusing and hard to navigate the station but if you generally follow the queues of people, you should end up in the right place.
We started queuing at the Berth/intercity reservations office, but we soon realised we should be at the main ticket counters, just as you walk into the building. There are different ticket counters depending on your location, number 2 is for Kandy and number 4 is for all railway stations, so go to either of these.
Once you've got your tickets you can go through to the platform. If you're not sure what platform to go to, just ask someone working there; everyone was very helpful and most people speak basic english!
What to Do in Kandy on a Day Trip
It's definitely worth doing a day trip to Kandy if you're short on time, as it's full of cultural landmarks, serene nature and unique attractions. Here are some of the best things to do on a day trip to Kandy:
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most iconic Buddhist temple. This UNESCO World Heritage site houses a tooth relic of Buddha, which has played a huge part in Sri Lanka's history.
The temple complex has intricate architecture, shrines and a peaceful atmosphere, you can even watch the daily ceremonies for an authentic cultural experience.
Kandy Lake
Take a walk around the serene Kandy Lake, located next door to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It has a shaded path around the lake that offers beautiful views of the city and the temple complex.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Head over to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, just a short tuk-tuk ride from central Kandy. These gardens are a tranquil escape from the city, filled with over 4,000 species of plants, including vibrant orchids, towering palm avenues, and exotic trees.
Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya
For panoramic views of Kandy, visit the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya Temple. Here, you'll find a massive white Buddha that has one of the best viewpoints over the city and the surrounding hills.
Ceylon Tea Museum
Learn about Sri Lanka’s famous tea industry at the Ceylon Tea Museum, located in an old tea factory just outside of Kandy. Here, you can explore exhibits on tea production, machinery and the history of Ceylon tea.
Ambuluwawa Tower
If you’re up for an adventure, head to Ambuluwawa Tower, located about 45 minutes from Kandy. This unique spiral tower sits on a mountain, offering panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Climbing the narrow, winding staircase isn’t for the faint-hearted, but the views from the top are absolutely worth it!
Read our Ambuluwawa Tower guide 👇
Chloe Butcher
Where to Eat in Kandy
If you're looking for a coffee break or some lunch, we'd recommend Buono. It's a beautiful cafe serving great coffee and European food (smoothie bowls, burritos, waffles etc). We only grabbed coffee here but the food looked great and had good reviews.
How to get around Kandy
When we visited Kandy, we decided to explore the city by tuk-tuk, which was not only fun but also budget-friendly.
We arranged ours directly through WhatsApp with a local driver, but we recently found a similar tuk-tuk tour on GetYourGuide for just £5 per person (this would have been much easier!).
This tour offers a great way to see the city's highlights, like the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Viewpoint, and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, all while cruising around in a tuk-tuk.
Of course, if you’re feeling spontaneous, you can easily pick up a tuk-tuk anywhere around the city for an impromptu ride. It’s a fun way to explore Kandy at your own pace and discover hidden gems along the way!
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