Colombo to Kandy by private driver
Updated:
Colombo to Kandy is about 115 km by the old Kandy road (A1) and takes 3½ to 4 hours of driving, longer in weekday traffic. The road via the Central Expressway is about 122 km and usually at least 15 minutes quicker. Post your journey and compare offers from verified drivers for either road, in both directions.
Compare offers for Colombo to Kandy
Colombo to Kandy at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road A, the old Kandy road (A1) | Colombo, Kadawatha, Nittambuwa, Warakapola, Kegalle, Mawanella, Peradeniya, Kandy: about 115 km, 3½–4 hours of driving. The road with the stops. Longer in weekday traffic |
| Road B, via the Central Expressway | Colombo, Pasyala, Mirigama, Kurunegala, Kandy: about 122 km. Usually at least 15 minutes quicker than Road A. Best at high-traffic times on the A1 and on heavy-rain days |
| Recommended stops on Road A | Three stops add about 2 to 2½ hours |
| Best departure | As early as you can: traffic builds through the day |
| Kandy to Colombo | The same road, in almost the same time |
Road facts checked:
Colombo to Kandy: private driver, train, bus or ride app?
| Option | Time | Suits | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private driver | 3½–4 hours of driving on Road A, plus the stops you choose | Your own schedule, with the stops you list in your journey notes | Every offer shows the driver and the exact vehicle before you decide |
| Train | About 3 hours | The Colombo Fort line, with a bus or tuk-tuk to finish | As of Fri, 2 Oct 2026 trains run Colombo Fort to Peradeniya, because the Black Bridge between Peradeniya and Kandy station is still under restoration. Get off at Peradeniya and take a bus or tuk-tuk into Kandy |
| Bus | About 4–5 hours | Travellers with time to spare | A longer day than the drive |
| Ride app | Short town journeys | Getting around Colombo or Kandy themselves | The long road between is where a private driver fits |
What is the road from Colombo to Kandy like, stop by stop?
Road A is the old Kandy road (A1), about 115 km: Colombo, Kadawatha, Nittambuwa, Warakapola, Kegalle, Mawanella and Peradeniya, then Kandy. It takes 3½ to 4 hours of driving, longer in weekday traffic, and it is the road with the stops. List the stops you would like in your journey notes: drivers read them before making an offer.
A cashew stall at Kajugama, the cashew village
Allow about 10 minutes.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
A side trip near Kegalle. Allow about 1½ to 2 hours.
Kadugannawa viewpoint
Allow about 15 minutes for the mountain views. From the viewpoint you can see Bathalegala, known as Bible Rock (the British name) and locally as Punchi Sigiriya, "Little Sigiriya", for its shape.
Road B: via the Central Expressway
Road B runs from Colombo through Pasyala, Mirigama and Kurunegala to Kandy: about 122 km, usually at least 15 minutes quicker than Road A. Choose it at high-traffic times on the A1, and especially on heavy-rain days: in heavy rain the Kadugannawa section can close, with a risk of falling rock.
How does booking Colombo to Kandy work?
Post your journey and list your stops in the journey notes. Verified drivers reply with all-inclusive offers covering fuel, tolls, parking and waiting time. Compare the offers, then accept one. See the vehicle types to choose the category that suits your group.
Two ways to pay: a 15% deposit online plus 85% cash to the driver at the end of the trip, or the full amount upfront. If you pay in full, Rymgo holds your payment until your trip is done, with a 24-hour window to report a problem.
Cancel free up to 48 hours before your trip for a full refund. Inside 48 hours of pickup, your booking is non-refundable.
See the full steps on How it works.
Tips for the Colombo to Kandy drive
- Leave early. Traffic builds through the day, so the earlier you leave, the better.
- Ask for Road B on heavy-rain days. In heavy rain the Kadugannawa section of Road A can close, with a risk of falling rock. Write your request in the journey notes.
Colombo to Kandy questions
How far is Colombo from Kandy by road?
Colombo to Kandy is about 115 km by the old Kandy road (A1) and about 122 km by the Central Expressway road, which is usually at least 15 minutes quicker.
How long does it take to drive from Colombo to Kandy?
The old Kandy road takes 3½ to 4 hours of driving, longer in weekday traffic. Its three recommended stops add about 2 to 2½ hours if you take them all. The drive fits in one day, with no overnight needed on the road.
Can I be driven from Colombo airport to Kandy?
Yes. Colombo airport (Bandaranaike International Airport) to Kandy is about 104 km and about 3½ hours of driving, via Minuwangoda, Divulapitiya, Warakapola, Kegalle and Mawanella. Post your journey, with your stops in the journey notes, and compare offers from verified drivers. The drivers' waiting time is inside the all-inclusive offer.
Can I travel from Kandy to Colombo on this route?
Yes. Kandy to Colombo is the same road, about 115 km by the old Kandy road (A1) and about 122 km by the Central Expressway, in almost the same time as Colombo to Kandy. Post it as a journey from Kandy and compare offers from verified drivers.
What does an all-inclusive offer cover?
Every offer includes fuel, tolls, parking and waiting time, so the price you accept is the price you pay. See How It Works for the full breakdown.
Where to next after Kandy?
Compare offers for Kandy to Ella, which starts where this road ends. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya are a separate visit from Kandy.
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