2h 45m
by train · 115 km
3h 10m
2h 45m
3h 30m
Colombo to Kandy is 115 km by road and takes about 3h 10m in a car. The train covers the same ground in about 2h 45m. By bus, allow 3h 30m.
Check another leg
Pre-filled with this route. Change either end to compare.
Connecting legs
Other legs from Colombo
-
Colombo to Galle
1h 45m -
Colombo to Ella
6h 40m -
Colombo to Sigiriya
4h 15m -
Colombo to Anuradhapura
4h 30m -
Colombo to Trincomalee
5h 30m
Other ways to reach Kandy
-
Airport (CMB) to Kandy
3h 00m -
Sigiriya to Kandy
2h 30m
Common questions
How long does it take to get from Colombo to Kandy?
By road it takes about 3h 10m to cover the 115 km. That is real driving time including towns and traffic, not a map estimate.
Is there a train from Colombo to Kandy?
Yes. The train takes about 2h 45m. On the popular hill country services, reserved seats open 30 days ahead and sell out the same morning.
Can I take a bus from Colombo to Kandy?
Yes. Allow about 3h 30m. Buses are the cheapest option by a wide margin, and they leave when full rather than to a strict timetable.
How far is Colombo from Kandy?
About 115 km by road, or roughly 71 miles. That works out at an average of 36 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 Colombo to Kandy?
The train, at about 2h 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.