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Train fares from Colombo Fort to Kandy are LKR 240 in third class, LKR 500 in second class and LKR 950 in first class.[1] Booking platforms list an air-conditioned coach at about $7 and 3.5 to 4.25 hours, and private transfers from about $42 with listed travel times of up to about 4 hours (October 2026).[2]
Cyclone Ditwah damaged the Main Line, and regular passenger trains from Colombo Fort have run to Peradeniya and Gampola since 2 October 2026, while the section between Peradeniya and Kandy was still closed when the reopening was announced on 1 October 2026.[3] Confirm on the official booking site that trains reach Kandy on your travel date, and take the coach if they do not.
Colombo to Kandy by train
Sri Lanka Railways lists intercity and express trains from Colombo Fort to Kandy, with first, second and third class and, on some trains, an observation saloon.[4] The regular passenger fares from Colombo Fort are LKR 950 in first class, LKR 500 in second class and LKR 240 in third class.[1] These are the regular tariffs; the price shown at booking for a reserved seat can differ.
Current status: Cyclone Ditwah damaged the Main Line, and the railway describes the recovery as phased.[5] The regular timetable from Colombo Fort to Peradeniya and Gampola took effect on 2 October 2026 with eight daily services, including intercity trains, and advance seat reservations are available.[3] As of the government announcement of 1 October 2026, services between Peradeniya and Kandy remained suspended because the restoration of the Peradeniya Black Bridge was not finished, and trains to Kandy are expected to resume once it is complete.[3] Check on the official booking site whether your train runs to Kandy or ends at Peradeniya on your travel date, and plan the last stretch by road if it ends at Peradeniya.
Booking: Official information and booking: Sri Lanka Railways
Colombo to Kandy by bus and private transfer
The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) publishes its bus timetable in an online e-seat tool where you choose your start and destination.[6] Official information: SLTB bus timetable
On booking platforms, an air-conditioned coach from the Kotte and Angulana areas of Colombo to Kandy is listed at about $7 and 3.5 to 4.25 hours, and private transfers start at about $42 with listed travel times of up to about 4 hours depending on traffic and route (October 2026).[2]
Timetable
| Flight Colombo Airport - Kandy $ 134.78–174.45 30m – 45m | |
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| Bus Colombo - Kandy $ 16.77 5h 30m | |
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| Taxi Colombo - Kandy $ 41.68–163.30 1h 48m – 4h | |
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| Van Colombo - Kandy $ 20.23–88.87 3h 30m – 12h | |
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| Bus Kotte - Peradeniya $ 6.91 3h 15m | |
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| Bus Kotte - Kandy $ 6.91 3h 30m | |
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| Bus Angulana - Peradeniya $ 6.91 4h | |
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| Bus Angulana - Kandy $ 6.91 4h 15m | |
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| Taxi Colombo - Peradeniya $ 58.53–89.42 1h 41m – 3h 26m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Colombo to Kandy, including current prices and schedules.
The regular passenger tariff from Colombo Fort to Kandy is LKR 950 in first class, LKR 500 in second class and LKR 240 in third class. The fare shown for a reserved seat at booking can differ.
Not all the way, according to the government announcement of 1 October 2026: regular trains from Colombo Fort run to Peradeniya and Gampola from 2 October 2026, but the section to Kandy remained suspended while the Peradeniya Black Bridge was being restored. Confirm on the official booking site whether your train reaches Kandy on your date.
Sri Lanka Railways lists first, second and third class and an observation saloon on its Colombo Fort to Kandy intercity and express services. Not every class runs on every train.
The Sri Lanka Transport Board publishes an online e-seat bus timetable where you select your start and destination.
Booking platforms listed private transfers from about $42 in October 2026, with travel times of up to about 4 hours depending on traffic and route.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Sri Lanka Railways: Colombo Fort - Passenger Ticket Rates. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go timetable Colombo - Kandy. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] news.lk (official government news portal of Sri Lanka, citing the Department of Railways): Train Services to Peradeniya and Gampola to Resume from October 2. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [4] Sri Lanka Railways: Sri Lanka Railways: Our Services and online seat reservation. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] Sri Lanka Railways: Programme for Disaster recovery and restoration status as at 29-12-2025. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [6] Sri Lanka Transport Board: SLTB e-seat bus time table. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.