Trains from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Trains from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

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Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Train Schedule

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Train Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Stef Lanka Tours Van 8pax Any time$ 65.45
Sri Lanka Railway Observation class 03:30 - 08:54LKR 2,600
Sri Lanka Railways First Class 07:50 - 11:21$ 16.71
Sri Lanka Railway First Class Seat 08:47 - 12:37$ 7.13
Sri Lanka Railway Third Class Reserved Seats 11:03 - 14:33$ 4.01
Sri Lanka Railways Observation class 12:25 - 16:04$ 18.14
Sri Lanka Railway First Class Seat 15:59 - 21:19$ 7.12
Sri Lanka Railways First Class Seat 17:20 - 20:03$ 19.16
Sri Lanka Railway First Class Seat 22:13 - 01:53LKR 2,600

Transportation from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Facts about the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Cheapest Train$5
Fastest Train3h 30m
Earliest Train3:30 AM
Latest Train3:59 PM
Daily Train Routes10
Distance34 kilometers
TrainSri Lanka Railway

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Destination Reviews

NH
The trip itself was good I was a little miffed because I got insurance by accident but that’s probably my fault for not checking properly
Train #1023 First Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railway, Oct 28, 2023
KJ
The views: wauw!
Train #1005 Third Class Reserved Seats, Sri Lanka Railway, Jan 18, 2023
ML
Great service. It is worth to pay for priority support. The train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya was an amazing experience. The train was late but that did not matter as this gave us more time to enjoy the landscape.
Train #1005 1st Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railways, Sep 30, 2022
MS
it was pity the train was not on service because of the heavy rain .
Train #1015 2nd Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railways, Aug 8, 2022
MS
Was not clear enough about information during buying process, seats and refundable criteria
Train First Class, Ella Odyssey, Apr 26, 2022
PB
12GO were able to deliver when other agents could not
Train #1005 Third Class Reserved Seats, Sri Lanka Railways, Mar 27, 2022
JA
Most beautiful train trip ever. Unforgettable!
Train #1015 1st Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railways, Feb 25, 2022
JF
Clean, comfortable.
Train #1005 1st Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railways, Jan 21, 2022
SV
Service is excellent. But costly.
Train #1005 1st Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railways, Dec 27, 2021
MB
Perfect service and prompt response..
Train #1015 1st Class Seat, Sri Lanka Railways, Dec 27, 2021
4.6
70 customer reviews
5
68%
4
26%
3
3%
2
3%
1
0%

How to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by train

Train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is a decent alternative to bus or air travel. Travelling from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by train is easy, safe, and convenient. There is a direct railway link between the two destinations, which makes your trip smooth and hassle-free. Tickets are available for online booking and it is a good idea to buy them in advance to secure your seat. To get the most out of your train journey, check the schedule and choose the most convenient departure. As a rule, trains and ticket classes are available for every taste and budget.

How far is Kandy from Nuwara Eliya?

The distance from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is 34 km. Railways link the two destinations so that you can travel direct without connections. If there are connections, they will be indicated in your ticket.

How long does it take to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by train?

Depending on the type of train, the length of your railway journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya may vary. The slowest train needs about 5h 46m to get to Nuwara Eliya, and the fastest one brings you there in about 3h 30m. We recommend opting for the fastest service to save you time, especially if you travel by day. With overnight service, the difference of a couple of hours seems not so crucial and may prove even convenient.

Note that trains normally depart on time from their station of origin but sometimes come later than scheduled to their terminus. It is better not to plan short connections if you are going to continue your journey immediately after arrival to Nuwara Eliya.

In many destinations, train stations are located very centrally and have good transport connections with the rest of the city, bus stations, and airports. It mostly concerns the older and well-established railway stations. The newer and bigger ones tend to appear in the outskirts of towns and cities, first of all, due to the reason of limited space in the central locations. Getting to and from there may be challenging even by taxi, as restrictions may apply on taxi operators allowed to serve the passengers. Hence, we highly recommend double-checking the location of the station you will depart from and arrive at as some destinations have several train stations.

How much does it cost to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by train?

There may be carriages of a different class on one and the same train on one and the same route. The price of your ticket will vary accordingly – from a dirt-cheap tag for hard seats to high numbers for super comfy overnight sleeper berths on luxury trains. For the Kandy – Nuwara Eliya route, the cheapest ticket costs while if you want to travel with more comfort, expect to pay for the most expensive option.

Travelling by train essentials

  • Train tickets often sell out well before the date of departure. Book them in advance even if your travel does not fall onto high-season dates. Travelling during peak periods which also include public and national holidays, and long or bank weekends, advanced booking is a must if you do not want to remake your travel plans on the spot. It is unnecessary to go to the train station to book – buy your ticket online in a few clicks.
  • Advanced booking ensures you get the seats and berths you want. For example, the lower berths are always the first to sell out, while upper berths may be available even on the departure date. Similarly, for longer distances, it is the night trips that enjoy the highest demand, while you may be able to grab a ticket for the same route an hour before departure if it is an inconvenient day ride that eats a huge part of your time.
  • There may be different carriages within one and the same train: fan-only and air-conditioned; hard seats and soft seats; second class berths and private compartments. Before buying your ticket, make sure you understand what type of seat you are paying for. Prices may differ greatly, but sometimes it is a good idea to pay more not to spend 20 hours on a hard seat in a fan-only carriage. In general, second-class berths are a good choice for longer overnight trips, while for shorter 4-6-hour day journeys, a soft seat is a great option.
  • Air-conditioning on trains can be excessive – as well as heating during the cold season. Make sure to pack layers not to get cold or hot during your trip. In hot countries, fan-only carriages are a cheaper and acceptable alternative to air-conditioned carriages.
  • There are toilets on board a train. Depending on the type of train, some carriages can be equipped with simple squat-type toilets or normal Western toilets. Regardless of your ticket's price, the train toilets' cleanness is not often up to the standard, alas. It especially concerns cheaper classes, though even in first-class carriages, complaints are not unheard of.
  • There is normally a dining carriage on long-distance trains, but on some routes, dining carriages have become extinct due to covid-19 restrictions. Check in advance if food is available on board or simply pack some snacks to be on the safe side. On many trains, you will also see hawkers patrolling the aisles during the journey and selling soft beverages and snacks. Alcohol drinks are prohibited on trains.
  • Smoking is prohibited, too, if, of course, you are not travelling by a common class somewhere in China or Indonesia!
  • Arrive at the train station at least half an hour before departure to allow enough time to find your platform and go through check-in formalities. A passport or other ID which you use for buying your train ticket is almost always needed, so keep it at hand to produce when asked at check-in or boarding.
  • Trains may arrive at their destination later than scheduled. These delays are not uncommon, especially for long-haul routes. Be ready and plan accordingly. Yet compared to buses, trains are less weather and traffic dependent hence more reliable schedule-wise.