Colombo to Kandy private transfer
The classic first leg of a Sri Lanka tour: Colombo up to the hill capital, ending at the Temple of the Tooth and the lake.
~120 km ~3 h Fixed all-in price
Colombo to Kandy at a glance
| Distance | ~120 km (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Drive time | ~3 h without stops |
| Main road | Best expressway or highway for the day |
| Recommended vehicle | Car (1-3) · Van (4-7) · Minibus (8+) |
| Price | Fixed all-in quote — vehicle, fuel, driver and tolls |
What the Colombo to Kandy drive is like
You climb steadily out of the lowlands through Kegalle, with roadside fruit stalls and forested bends in the last hour. Traffic decides the timing more than distance does, so an early start pays off.
Stops travellers add
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- A spice garden in Mawanella
- Kadugannawa viewpoint
Which vehicle for this route?
- Car — 1-3 passengers, 2 large suitcases
- SUV — 1-4 passengers, 3 large suitcases
- Van — 4-7 passengers, 6-7 large suitcases
- Bus — 8-30+ passengers, One case per seat
Tell us your group size and we'll recommend one.
See the full fleetColombo to Kandy FAQs
Allow around 3 hours for the 120 km between Colombo and Kandy. Traffic, weather and any sightseeing stops you add can move that by an hour either way.
We quote one fixed, all-in price covering the vehicle, fuel and driver. Send your date, group size and preferred vehicle on WhatsApp and you will usually have the Kandy price within the hour.
Yes. Travellers on this route often add Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and A spice garden in Mawanella. Mention the stops when you request a quote so the extra time is priced in.
A car covers one to three travellers, an SUV suits families of four, a van fits four to seven with luggage and a minibus or coach handles eight or more. We will recommend one once we know your group size.
Other popular routes
Ready to book Colombo to Kandy?
Send your date, group size and any stops — we reply with a fixed price by email or WhatsApp, usually within the hour.