Colombo to Kandy: compare train and bus
Use a reserved Sri Lanka Railways seat for a planned rail trip, or choose the SLTB bus when the railway schedule does not fit; check the selected Colombo to Kandy service.
This comparison is independent of the partner offers available below. Onboard time is not door-to-door time. Prices depend on date, fare and extras; compare the whole journey, not just the cheapest individual offer.
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| Connection | Time and total journey | Price basis | Who is it suitable for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Railways intercity or express train Colombo Fort Railway Station โ Kandy Railway Station Official booking | The reservation page lists Colombo Fort to Kandy intercity and express services. Class availability varies by service and may include first, second, third class or an observation saloon. Select the dated service. Allow additionally: Check the current Main Line timetable for your travel date. Allow for travel to Colombo Fort and the onward transfer from Kandy station. | Check the individual quote The regular passenger tariff table lists LKR 950 first class, LKR 500 second class and LKR 240 third class. It is not a guaranteed reserved or express fare. Confirm the selected service. | Travelers who want the rail route and a class choice on the selected service. Consider: Departure, arrival and journey time depend on the selected service. Use the live reservation result. |
| SLTB public or long-distance bus Terminal in Colombo selected for your travel date โ Terminal in Kandy selected for your travel date Official booking | Select your travel date and bus category in SLTB's official e-seat timetable to see the departure, arrival and fare. Allow additionally: Confirm the exact terminal, stopping pattern and Kandy arrival point in the selected live result. | Check the individual quote Check the live SLTB fare for the selected bus and travel date. | Travelers who prefer a bus and want a current public alternative to rail. Consider: Terminal, bus category and road conditions affect the complete journey. |
Boarding, transfers and onward travel
- Start with the exact travel date and select a live rail or bus service.
- For rail, choose Colombo Fort to Kandy and verify class, departure and arrival.
- Use SLTB for the bus result and NTC as a second timetable reference, not as a separate transport mode.
- Treat the LKR tariff PDF as a regular-fare reference and confirm the booking amount.
- Add the departure-terminal and final Kandy transfers.
Core editorial facts checked:
Sources and background
These sources support the topics listed below, not every statement or current price in this article.
- Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation (Sri Lanka Railways)
Transport, Access
Source checked:
- Revised Sri Lanka Railways timetable from 2 December 2025 (Sri Lanka Railways)
Transport
Source checked:
- Colombo Fort to Kandy passenger ticket rates (Sri Lanka Railways)
Transport
Source checked:
- Sri Lanka Railways reservation FAQ (Sri Lanka Railways)
Transport, Access
Source checked:
- SLTB bus schedules (Sri Lanka Transport Board)
Transport, Access
Source checked:
- National Transport Commission inter-provincial bus timetables (National Transport Commission of Sri Lanka)
Transport, Access
Source checked:
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.
Transport and connections in detail
1. Sri Lanka Railways intercity or express train
Departure: Colombo Fort Railway Station
Arrival: Kandy Railway Station
Onboard reference: The reservation page lists Colombo Fort to Kandy intercity and express services. Class availability varies by service and may include first, second, third class or an observation saloon. Select the dated service.
Complete journey: Check the current Main Line timetable for your travel date. Allow for travel to Colombo Fort and the onward transfer from Kandy station.
Price: The regular passenger tariff table lists LKR 950 first class, LKR 500 second class and LKR 240 third class. It is not a guaranteed reserved or express fare. Confirm the selected service.
Best for: Travelers who want the rail route and a class choice on the selected service.
Trade-off: Departure, arrival and journey time depend on the selected service. Use the live reservation result.
Booking channel: Official information and booking: Sri Lanka Railways intercity or express train
2. SLTB public or long-distance bus
Departure: Terminal in Colombo selected for your travel date
Arrival: Terminal in Kandy selected for your travel date
Onboard reference: Select your travel date and bus category in SLTB's official e-seat timetable to see the departure, arrival and fare.
Complete journey: Confirm the exact terminal, stopping pattern and Kandy arrival point in the selected live result.
Price: Check the live SLTB fare for the selected bus and travel date.
Best for: Travelers who prefer a bus and want a current public alternative to rail.
Trade-off: Terminal, bus category and road conditions affect the complete journey.
Booking channel: Official information and booking: SLTB public or long-distance bus
Practical checks
- Start with the exact travel date and select a live rail or bus service.
- For rail, choose Colombo Fort to Kandy and verify class, departure and arrival.
- Use SLTB for the bus result and NTC as a second timetable reference, not as a separate transport mode.
- Treat the LKR tariff PDF as a regular-fare reference and confirm the booking amount.
- Add the departure-terminal and final Kandy transfers.
Timetable
| Flight Colombo Airport - Kandy $ 135.52–175.41 30m – 45m | |
|
| Bus Colombo - Kandy $ 16.87 5h 30m | |
|
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| Taxi Colombo - Kandy $ 41.91–164.20 1h 48m – 4h | |
|
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| Van Colombo - Kandy $ 20.34–89.36 3h 30m – 12h | |
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| Bus Kotte - Peradeniya $ 6.94 3h 15m | |
|
| Bus Kotte - Kandy $ 6.94 3h 30m | |
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| Bus Angulana - Peradeniya $ 6.94 4h | |
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| Bus Angulana - Kandy $ 6.94 4h 15m | |
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| Taxi Colombo - Peradeniya $ 58.86–89.91 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.
Sri Lanka Railways lists intercity and express services from Colombo Fort to Kandy. Class availability varies by service and can include first, second, third class or an observation saloon. Check the dated reservation result.
The regular passenger tariff table lists LKR 950 for first class, LKR 500 for second class and LKR 240 for third class. These are not guaranteed reserved or express fares, so confirm the selected service.
Use the official SLTB e-seat timetable for your date and bus category. It provides the departure, arrival and fare for the selected Colombo and Kandy terminals.
The train suits travelers who want the rail route and a class choice on the selected service. Departure, arrival and journey time depend on the live result.
The SLTB bus is the public alternative when the railway schedule does not fit. Check the current terminal, category, fare and road conditions for your date.
Confirm the dated train or bus, class or bus category, departure and arrival terminals, current fare and the complete journey before paying.