Colombo Airport → Kandy private transfer
Kandy is about 110 km from CMB — 3 to 3.5 hours by car. The hill capital with the Temple of the Tooth is a common first night for travellers starting with the cultural triangle or the tea country.
- Distance110 km
- Drive time3 h 15 min
- Pricefrom $65
Every trip is driven by a vetted local partner in Sri Lanka. Your confirmation names the driver, the car and its plate; on chauffeur-guide bookings also the SLTDA licence number.
Colombo Airport → Kandy: price per car
| Car | Per car one way | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Axio / Prius / Premio | $65 ≈ Rs 21,500 | $33 | $22 | — | — |
| Minivan (KDH) up to 6 Toyota HiAce KDH, high roof | $85 ≈ Rs 28,000 | $43 | $28 | $21 | $14 |
| SUV up to 4 Prado / Montero class, leather, more legroom | $120 ≈ Rs 39,500 | $60 | $40 | $30 | — |
| Coach up to 20 Toyota Coaster, up to 20 seats | $210 ≈ Rs 69,500 | $105 | $70 | $53 | $35 |
Prices updated 20 October 2026.
The road
Usually the A1 via Kegalle and the Kadugannawa pass; sometimes north to Mirigama and the open section of the Central Expressway (E04) to Kurunegala, then up via Katugastota. Your driver picks whichever is faster that day; weekends and Kandy festival days are slower.
Worth stopping
- Kadugannawa pass viewpoint above the old railway line.
- Pinnawala and spice gardens around Kegalle and Matale are on or near the road; ask the driver which ones are worth it for you.
Good to know
- If you land early in the morning and want to see Sigiriya first, go to Sigiriya (3.5–4 h) and do Kandy later — it saves a back-and-forth.
Included
- Private air-conditioned car and an English-speaking driver
- Fuel, expressway tolls and parking
- Meet & greet with a name sign at CMB arrivals, flight tracking, 60 min free waiting after landing
- No night surcharge for airport pickups
- Short stops on the way (up to 30 min in total)
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before; pay the driver at the end — no prepayment for transfers
Questions
How long is the drive from Colombo airport to Kandy?
3 to 3.5 hours without long stops; up to 4 hours on weekends.
Is there a train from the airport to Kandy?
Not from the airport itself. Since 2 October 2026 trains from Colombo Fort run again as far as Peradeniya and Gampola, but not into Kandy (bridge rebuild after Cyclone Ditwah) — from the airport a car is the practical option.
How much is a taxi from Colombo airport to Kandy?
Local operators quote roughly $45–60 for a basic car; our fixed price is $65 for a sedan with tolls, parking and 60 minutes of waiting included.