1h 45m
by car · 55 km
1h 45m
2h 30m
2h 00m
Nuwara Eliya to Ella is 55 km by road and takes about 1h 45m in a car. The train covers the same ground in about 2h 30m. By bus, allow 2h 00m.
Check another leg
Pre-filled with this route. Change either end to compare.
Connecting legs
Other legs from Nuwara Eliya
Other ways to reach Ella
-
Colombo to Ella
6h 40m -
Kandy to Ella
4h 00m
Common questions
How long does it take to get from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?
By road it takes about 1h 45m to cover the 55 km. That is real driving time including towns and traffic, not a map estimate.
Is there a train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?
Yes. The train takes about 2h 30m. On the popular hill country services, reserved seats open 30 days ahead and sell out the same morning.
Can I take a bus from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?
Yes. Allow about 2h 00m. Buses are the cheapest option by a wide margin, and they leave when full rather than to a strict timetable.
How far is Nuwara Eliya from Ella?
About 55 km by road, or roughly 34 miles. That works out at an average of 31 km/h once you account for the roads here, which is why the drive takes longer than the distance suggests.
What is the fastest way from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?
The car or taxi, at about 1h 45m. Fastest is not always best here — on the scenic legs the train is slower and still the better choice.
Part of a surveyed matrix — 26 of 91 possible pairs measured so far. Times are what we recorded ourselves, not map estimates.