Getting There
Although it is possible to get to Kandy, Sri Lanka over land or water, the best way is to fly.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
It can take anywhere between 3 hours to 3,5 hours to reach Kandy 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.
TRAIN
The intercity express train is hassle free and picturesque. The comfortable first-class features with a decent observation saloon providing dramatic scenery along the way. It is recommended, though, to make a reservation, especially if you are travelling on weekend or holiday. Second and third classes tend to be crowded, and seats cannot be reserved in advance.
INTERCITY AIR CONDITIONED BUS
Intercity air conditioned bus is another affordable way to get to Kandy with a comfort. Buses depart at regular periods from Colombo and arrive in Kandy city centre.
PUBLIC BUS
Public buses depart from the bus terminal and serve almost all destinations. It is an affordable way to get to Kandy, though, if you want to have a seat (highly recommended, as the trip can take more than 3 hours), you might need to get to the bus station instead of waiting for the bus in front of the arrival terminal.
HIRED MINIVANS
If you are travelling in a larger group, hired minivan is the best option to reach Kandy. The service is available through the travel agencies in the Colombo airport at the arrival level.
AIR TAXI
A relatively new, fast and super comfortable, yet, expensive way to get to Kandy from Colombo International Airport is by the float plane operated by Sri Lankan Airways. The plane leaves Colombo airport at 9 am and touches down at Mahaweli River, Kandy at 9.30. The one-way fare from Colombo to Kandy is approximately LKR25,000.