Getting There
Although it is possible to get to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka over land or water, the best way is to fly.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
It can take anywhere between 4,5 hours to 5,5 hours to reach Nuwara Eliya from Colombo International Airport depending on traffic. Ministry of Villas can arrange a chauffeur to greet you upon arrival and escort you to your villa.
AIRPORT TAXI
Alternatively, there is a taxi desk at the arrival level which arranges one-way fares at a fixed-price. It is recommended to negotiate about the price before getting into the car, as metered taxis do not travel long distances from Colombo.
HIRED MINIVANS
If you are travelling in a larger group, hired minivan is the best option to reach Nuwara Eliya. The service is available through the travel agencies in the Colombo airport at the arrival level.
TRAIN
The train journey to Nuwara Eliya from either Colombo or Kandy to the nearby Nanu Oya is breathtaking. The train passes through the lush valleys, tea plantations and offers some of the most spectacular views one can imagine. The easiest way to reach the city is by Badulla Train that departs from Colombo station.
BUS
The public bus is a slow and uncomfortable, yet, affordable way to get to reach Nuwara Eliya. Bus services are available from both Colombo and Kandy. Despite the fact that only 180 km separate Colombo from Nuwara Eliya, the road transport is very slow due to the very congested traffic.
Getting Around
There are plenty of options, so we’ve ranked them according to our recommendations for first-time travellers:
PRIVATE CAR
Ministry of Villas can arrange a private car and chauffeur for you. Depending on which villa you are staying in, the cost for the private car and chauffeur can vary, so it’s recommended to contact our Ministry of Villas team to get the complete information about the private transfers.
WALKING
Walking around the city is the best way to explore Nuwara Eliya as it features with a quite small size. However, if you decided to travel further afield, you might need another mean of transportation depending on your preference.
TUK-TUK
Tuk-tuk is one of the most affordable and easy transport options available in the town. Simply flag one down the street and negotiate about the price before getting into tuk-tuk cabin. However, take into account, that the traffic in the city is very congested, and no matter of the transport mode you won’t be able to exceed 20 km per hour.