Transfer Options from Colombo Airport to Kandy

Kandy is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Sri Lanka. This magical city is surrounded by picturesque mountains, traditional tea plantations and lush rainforests. Be sure also, to check out the central Bogambara Lake and the famous Buddhist site Temple of the Tooth when you visit.

There are three different transfer options when it comes to travelling from Colombo airport to Kandy; taxi, bus or train. Taking a Colombo airport taxi is the quickest and easiest way to travel as the journey time is just 2 hours 30 minutes and the cost is around €60 (LKR 22,200). Taking the bus from Colombo airport to Kandy is the cheapest option, as tickets cost just €3.50 (LKR 1,278) per person in total, but the journey time is 4 hours as this service isn’t direct. Another public transfer option is the train, however, this isn’t a direct transfer either. The total journey time will be 3 hours and 30 minutes and the cost will be €5.50 (LKR 2,100) per traveller.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Colombo at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€55	150min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€60	150min	24/7
Bus	€7	240min	05:30–20:30
Train	€11	210min	05:55–17:45

How to get from Colombo Airport to Kandy by Taxi

The only direct transfer option from Colombo airport to Kandy is taking a taxi. The Colombo airport taxis take just 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Kandy and will cost around €60 (LKR 22,200), based on a taximeter.

How much is a taxi from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

The local airport taxi drivers don’t offer set fares for their services. Instead, they will use a taximeter to calculate your fare. The average cost of a taxi from Colombo airport to Kandy is €60 (LKR 22,200), but if you’d prefer the peace of mind that comes with a fixed rate fare, you can book in advance with Welcome Pickups instead.

Cost

€60 (LKR 22,200)

Trip Duration

2 Hrs 30 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Colombo Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Colombo Airport?

It’s very easy to get a taxi at Colomb airport no matter what time you land. They wait at a rank directly outside of the arrivals hall in the main terminal.

Convenience

As taking a taxi from Colombo airport to Kandy is the only direct way to travel, it’s easily the most convenient transfer option. You won’t have to wait for your ride and your driver can drop you off directly at the door of your hotel in Kandy in just 2 hours and 30 minutes, almost half the time of the public transport options.

Editor’s Note

To ensure a smooth and easy taxi transfer, we recommend pre-booking your Colombo airpot taxi with a world-renowned company such as Welcome Pickups.

Useful Tips

Be sure to agree on a price with your driver before leaving the airport.

The cost of your journey could increase if there's a lot of traffic.

The cost of your journey is for up to 4 passengers.

How to get the Bus from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

Unfortunately, there’s no direct bus from Colombo airport to Kandy. You will first need to take the Colombo express bus into the city centre, then take the Number 5 bus to Kurunegala, and then the Number 609 bus from there to Kandy. The total journey time is a long 4 hours and the total cost will be around €3.50 (LKR 1,278).

How much is the bus from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

The cost of a one-way ticket on the Colombo Express bus is €1.50 (LKR 500), and the cost of a ticket on each of the local buses is €1 (LKR 389), which makes a total journey cost of €3.50 (LKR 1, 278).

Cost

€3.50 (LKR 1,278)

Trip Duration

4 Hrs.

*There's a waiting time of up to 2 hours for the bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The buses run from 05:30 to 20:30.

Where do I find the bus at Colombo Airport?

You can find the Colombo Express bus around 50 meters from the terminal. Head out of the left exit and look for the large blue bus.

Convenience

As there are three different bus changes if you choose to take the bus from Colombo airport to Kandy, this is the slowest and least convenient transfer option. Not only will you have to navigate through the city centre of Colombo and wait for multiple buses to arrive, but there’s very little storage space on the buses, so you will also have to travel light.

Editor’s Note

If you're looking for a cheap transfer from Colombo Airport to Kandy, I suggest taking the train instead of the bus as it’s quicker and more comfortable.

Useful Tips

You can't pre-book seats on the bus, you will need to queue for a seat.

Be sure to bring change in the local currency to pay for the bus.

You will need to check bus timetables prior to travelling to ensure you can catch the correct buses.

How to get from Colombo Airport to Kandy by Train

One of the most famous train journeys in Sri Lanka is the one from Colombo airport to Kandy. However, to get the train, you will first need to take the Colombo Expressway bus from the airport to the city centre, then walk to the Colombo Fort Railway Station. From here, you can take the train to Kandy. The total journey time is 3 hours and 30 minutes and the cost will be €5.50 (LKR 2,100).

How much is the train from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

The cost of a ticket for the Colombo Express bus is €1.50 (LKR 500). Then, the cost of a 2nd class train ticket is €4 (LKR 1,600), and a 1st class ticket is €5.50 (LKR 2,100). That’s a minimum total journey cost of €5.50 (LKR 2,100) per traveller.

Cost

€5.50 (LKR 2,100)

Trip Duration

3 Hrs 30 Min.

*There's a waiting time of up to 4 hours for the train and 30 minutes for the Colombo Express bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The trains run from 05:55 to 17:45 and the Colombo Express bus runs from 05:30 to 20:30.

Where do I find the train at Colombo Airport?

Unfortunately, there’s no train from Colombo airport. You will first need to take the Colombo Express bus into the city centre and walk to Colombo Fort Railway Station.

Convenience

Although a cheap transfer option, taking the train isn’t the most convenient, especially if you’re travelling with small children or lots of luggage. You will need to navigate the city centre of Colombo and once you reach Kandy, you will need to find alternate transport to your hotel, which adds time, cost and stress to your journey.

Editor’s Note

If you're travelling in a group, it may be more beneficial and convenient to share the cost of a taxi, rather than taking the train.

Useful Tips

The train doesn't run after 17:45, so be sure to check your flight landing time.

There's little luggage storage on the train, be sure to travel light.

The train leaves from Colombo Fort Railway Station, not the airport.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Colombo. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€60.0

NIGHTTIME

€72.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How can I get from Colombo airport to Kandy?

There are three different ways to get from Kandy to Colombo airport and visa versa; taxi, bus or train. Taking a Colombo airport to Kandy taxi will cost around €60 (LKR 22,200) and take 2 hours 30 minutes. Taking the bus from Colombo airport to Kandy will take 4 hours and cost €3.50 (LKR 1,278). Finally, the train will take 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach Kandy and will cost €5.50 (LKR 2,100) per passenger.

What’s the Colombo Airport to Kandy distance?

The distance from Kandy to Colombo Airport is 117 km. If you choose to take an airport taxi or private transfer to cover the route, the journey will take you just 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, on public transport, it will take you around 4 hours by bus and 3 and a half hours by train.

What’s the cost of a Colombo Airport to Kandy taxi?

The local taxi drivers don’t give set rates for the journey from Colombo airport to Kandy. The average cost will be approximately €60 (LKR 22,200), but this is subject to change. To secure a set rate fare you can count on, we recommend booking with Welcome Pickups in advance.

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How to get from Colombo Airport to Kandy by Taxi

How much is a taxi from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

Cost

€60 (LKR 22,200)

Trip Duration

2 Hrs 30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Colombo Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Colombo Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get the Bus from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

How much is the bus from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

Cost

€3.50 (LKR 1,278)

Trip Duration

4 Hrs.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The buses run from 05:30 to 20:30.

Where do I find the bus at Colombo Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Colombo Airport to Kandy by Train

How much is the train from Colombo Airport to Kandy?

Cost

€5.50 (LKR 2,100)

Trip Duration

3 Hrs 30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The trains run from 05:55 to 17:45 and the Colombo Express bus runs from 05:30 to 20:30.

Where do I find the train at Colombo Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Colombo airport to Kandy?

What’s the Colombo Airport to Kandy distance?

What’s the cost of a Colombo Airport to Kandy taxi?

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The best way to arrive in Colombo

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