Table of Contents
How to Travel Kandy to Nuwara Eliya?
I stated it many time and let me say it again traveling in Sri Lanka by train is itself a great adventure.Furthermore, until now, ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by train is my best train ride ever. Not only me,a number of other travellers, says it. Kandy to Nuwara Eliya distance is about 75-80 Km. However, Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train duration may take up to 5 hours.
You might be wondering and wanting to know what makes Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train ride best train ride. This was the question that came to my mind when I been aware of trip journey from others. There are several things which would make your trip unforgettable, but one most interesting is eye-catching landscapes.During my train trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya I’ve come across so many killing natural landscape views and tea plantation.
The picturesque ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is one I’d forever keep in mind.Even though, I would suggest you to move from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by train, you should not knock other ways as each other way also have some good features.For example with car you can stop during trip wherever you want and can take selfi.So I am gonna explain each way in details with pros and cons. You can decide and plan your trip accordingly.
By Train
You might not grab a train from Kandy because not each of the trains move through Kandy, and Peradeniya is the alternative. It is possible to grab the train from Peradeniya station – about 7 km from Kandy – to Nanu Oya – about 8 km from Nuwara Eliya. There are 2 daily trains – departing Peradeniya at 08:40 and 12:23.
Try to avoid going by train on the weekend (Saturday evening to Monday morning) as these days plenty of local move around by train. So probably you won’t able to get 2nd and 3rd reserve tickets in these days or if somehow you managed you might have to stand up in the corridor without a view…If it necessary to travel these dates, get a 1st class ticket which you can reserve 30 days before your trip.
Pro’s
- Mostly comfortabe
- Nice landscape views
- Ridiculously Cheap
Cons
- Slow & timing consuming
- Direct Trip so no stop
By Bus
From Kandy there are enough buses go to Nuwara Eliya like 2 per hour at least, some of them are AC buses.To get bus from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya head out to goods shed bus stand and ask for Nuwara Eliya bus.Pre-booking tickets not available. Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by bus duration is about 4-5 hours because road has so many Hairpin turns. Goods shed bus stand located at Kandy road neary to Kandy train station. This is main bus station in Kandy and you can get buses for anywhere except for colombo(You have to go Kandy market).This is a very crowded place and not clean so be ready to face some bad things especially toilets are not clean.
Buses are stop at nanu oya bus stand just before to Nuwara Eliya (8 km distance) from where you’ve to take a tuk tuk to upper lake road.
Pro’s
- Cheap Fare
- Bit Comfortable
- Seats are Guaranteed
Cons
- Crowed
- Slow
- No Stop
By Car
Although Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by car is most expensive means of transportation in available options, it’s worth of every cent.The greatest advantage this option has freedom. Neither bus nor train offer freedom since both has fixed stop points.But if you go Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by taxi you would able to stop at any point you want. You can head out to Kandy View Point, enjoy Ramboda Waterfalls and stop at the Bluefield Tea Center.
Pro’s
- Instant means of transportion
- Freedom
- Very Comfortable
- Privacy
Cons
- Expensive
Where to Stay?
There are plethora of hotels available in Nuwara Eliya. I stayed at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya and it was a good decision.The hotel is very clean, British interior decoration can be seen and also staff was superb.