3h 15m
by car · 138 km
3h 15m
3h 40m
3h 45m
Kandy to Anuradhapura is 138 km by road and takes about 3h 15m in a car. The train covers the same ground in about 3h 40m. By bus, allow 3h 45m.
Check another leg
Pre-filled with this route. Change either end to compare.
Connecting legs
Other legs from Kandy
-
Kandy to Ella
4h 00m -
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
2h 45m -
Kandy to Sigiriya
2h 30m
Other ways to reach Anuradhapura
-
Colombo to Anuradhapura
4h 30m -
Sigiriya to Anuradhapura
1h 45m
Common questions
How long does it take to get from Kandy to Anuradhapura?
By road it takes about 3h 15m to cover the 138 km. That is real driving time including towns and traffic, not a map estimate.
Is there a train from Kandy to Anuradhapura?
Yes. The train takes about 3h 40m. On the popular hill country services, reserved seats open 30 days ahead and sell out the same morning.
Can I take a bus from Kandy to Anuradhapura?
Yes. Allow about 3h 45m. Buses are the cheapest option by a wide margin, and they leave when full rather than to a strict timetable.
How far is Kandy from Anuradhapura?
About 138 km by road, or roughly 86 miles. That works out at an average of 42 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 Kandy to Anuradhapura?
The car or taxi, at about 3h 15m. 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.