Colombo to Nuwara Eliya tickets

How to get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya

Switching Sri Lanka's capital city for a quieter destination can be a jarring adjustment, yet getting lost in the natural beauty of Nuwara Eliya is well worth the shock to the system.

This charming town is set in the tea hills of central Sri Lanka and feels like a different world from Colombo.

Located 167.5 kilometers (104 miles) away, travelers can choose to take a stunning train ride through the Sri Lankan countryside, taking in magnificent views along the way.

Alternatively, you can conquer the journey by road with a bus, a minivan, or a car.

Is Nuwara Eliya worth visiting?

Nestled amid sprawling tea plantations, Nuwara Eliya is nicknamed “Little England” and has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most popular destinations.

And for good reason! The small city has lush green scenery, and visitors can hike into the jungles, hire a jet ski in the lake, or meander the streets to fill their time.

Nuwara Eliya is also the highest city in the country, sitting at 6,500 feet (2000 meters) above sea level.

Even if you are unsure about making the trek to Nuwara Eliya, the journey will win you over as rolling hills and mountains dominate the horizon.

Unmissable activities to do in Nuwara Eliya?

The city may be small, but it’s overflowing with activities to pass the time while you dive into the surrounding area's fascinating culture and sweeping natural beauty. Check out these top attractions:

• Wander around Victoria Park: Located in the middle of the city, this small park displays local flora and fauna. Spend a peaceful afternoon exploring its beauty.

• Circumnavigate Gregory Lake: The lake is in the heart of the picturesque city. Walk around it, rent a horse, or hire a speedboat, jet ski, or swan paddle boat to spend a day on the water.

• Book a tea plantation excursion: You can’t visit the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea plantations without learning about the process. And doing a tasting.

• Visit the Moon Plains: Although you can only drive around the plains in a jeep, it’s worth seeing the verdant landscapes' panoramic views. Book an early morning trip for the best views and lighting.

• Explore the Bomburu Ella Waterfall: This vast waterfall is well worth the expedition. Book an excursion to ensure you don’t get lost and marvel at its massive size!

• Hike to Adam’s Peak or World’s End: Get up early to hike to Adam’s Peak’s expansive viewpoint, which overlooks some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful scenery. Alternatively, tackle the 9-kilometer hike in Horton Plains National Park, which ends at a cliff point that genuinely looks like the end of the world.

• Climb Single Tree Hill: This spot has the best views of Nuwara Eliya. The short 90-minute hike will lead you to vast views of the lake, mountains, tea fields, and colorful town.

• Meander Galway’s Land National Park: A small park within the city limits was created for preservation purposes and is hugely popular with bird watchers due to its 20 rare species.

• Visit Lover’s Leap Waterfall: A legendary love story gave this waterfall its name. A prince fell in love with a girl his father forbade him from marrying. They leaped from the waterfall to stay together until death. Visit in the wet season for the best experience!

How do I get from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya?

Travelers can take a car, a bus, a minivan, or a train from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya.

By car

Driving to Nuwara Eliya will take approximately five hours, and two passengers are the maximum allowed.

However, this option is ideal for couples or traveling friends who want privacy and comfort.

Amenities include:

• Air conditioning

• Airport pick up

• Meet and greet at the airport

• Drop off at any hotel

• Free cancellation up to seven days before 

• A 30 kg luggage allowance and a 7 kg piece of hand luggage

• Prices start around $70

By bus 

The bus is one of the cheapest ways to travel from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya, and it takes about six hours to reach the destination. Tickets cost around $15 per passenger.

You’ll depart from Bastian Mawatha Bus Station and arrive at Nuwara Eliya Main Bus Station. Buses leave twice per day.

Amenities include:

• Air conditioning

• Reclining seats

• USB charger 

• Rest stops 

• Free cancellation up to seven days before 

• A 15 kg luggage allowance and a 7 kg piece of hand luggage

By minivan

A minivan transfer will take about five hours, allowing up to four passengers per vehicle. A private minivan transfer will cost around $170.

You’ll get picked up from Colombo Bandaranaike Airport and dropped off at any hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Amenities include:

• Air conditioning

• Reclining seats 

• Rest stops 

• A 15 kg luggage allowance and a 7 kg piece of hand luggage

By train 

Trains in Sri Lanka are operated by Sri Lanka Railways, and hopping on one will take about 6.5 hours to reach Nuwara Eliya.

Departing from Colombo Fort Station and arriving at Nanu Oya Train Station, you’ll need to take a 10-minute tuk-tuk or taxi to Nuwara Eliya.

There are four classes available: observation class, first class, second class, and third class.

Tickets for lower-class seats start at $5 and rise to $10 for a first-class seat.

Observation cars are attached to the train's rear and rarely have air conditioning, but the windows and doors open to allow a breeze to whip through the carriage as you take in the views on the way to Nuwara Eliya. 

These carriages do not have reserved seats, so grab one early on in the journey for the best view! 

Second-class and third-class amenities include:

• Openable windows and doors for cooling

• Comfortable seats

• Plenty of legroom 

• Reservable seats

• WC

First-class amenities include:

• Comfortable leather seats

• Air conditioning 

• Assigned seats

• WC

All passengers can bring 30 kg of luggage and one piece of hand luggage onboard.

The best things about the journey from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya

The views are by far the best thing about the journey between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya, especially on the train. 

You’ll rattle through villages and awe-inspiring jungle landscapes, spot temples nestled between towns, and see mountains as you rumble past. 

If you're on the train, take in the spectacular views from the observation carriage, look out the window, or look through the open doors between carriages.

When is the best time to visit Nuwara Eliya?

You should visit Nuwara Eliya between March and May for the best weather.

While the southwest region starts getting monsoon rains around this time, the inland weather remains dry and pleasant.

Temperatures average between 68°F (20°C) and 86°F (30°C), but, like all tropical countries, Sri Lanka is unpredictable, so prepare for all eventualities.

How many days should I spend in Nuwara Eliya?

Spend at least two days in Nuwara Eliya to check off all the top activities before moving on to your next adventure.

You might opt to stay longer once the charming city has enchanted you, but two days is more than enough to see the highlights. After all, the train journey here is the true gem!

Where should I go after Nuwara Eliya?

Next, head to St. Clair’s Falls for an epic jungle adventure. These are the widest falls in Sri Lanka, and they’re only an hour’s drive from the city.

If that’s not your scene, then check out Kandy in the north for a deep dive into the rich cultural history of Sri Lanka.