Sri Lanka Route Guide · Airport transfers

Colombo Airport (CMB) to Kandy by Private Car and Driver

Updated 10 October 2026 · by the GoTourRide team

Kandy is the gateway to the hill country and a natural first night for many itineraries. The road climbs through tea and rubber country, and a driver lets you stop where you like.

Route at a glance

From: Colombo Airport (CMB)
To: Kandy
Distance: About 115 km
Drive time: 3 to 3.5 hours
Best for: Travellers heading to the hill country, tea estates and the Temple of the Tooth.

The drive

You take the A1 inland through Kegalle and the hills. The road is paved but winding and often busy with lorries and buses, so the last hour is slower than the distance suggests.

Best stops on the way

Pinnawala

Elephant orphanage and river bathing times.

Kegalle

Spice gardens and local lunch stops along the A1.

Peradeniya

Royal Botanic Gardens, just before Kandy.

Choose your vehicle

Pick a vehicle by group size and luggage. These are average day rates across GoTourRide drivers; a one-way transfer is quoted by the driver, so request a quote for an exact price. You can also use our trip cost calculator.

Vehicle	Passengers	Average day rate
Mini car	Up to 2	About $61/day
Normal car	Up to 3	About $66/day
SUV	Up to 3	About $91/day
Large car	Up to 4	About $75/day
Minivan	Up to 6	About $103/day
Large van	Up to 10	About $118/day
Minibus	Up to 15	About $169/day

Tips for this route

Traffic on the final stretch into Kandy is heavy in the late afternoon.
The Temple of the Tooth is open to visitors most of the day; evening puja is the busiest time.

Book a driver

Compare verified drivers on the drivers page, or ask us on WhatsApp if you would like to talk to a real person first.

Keep reading

FAQs

How far is Kandy from Colombo Airport?

Roughly 115 km, which takes 3 to 3.5 hours by road.

Is there a faster way than a car?

Trains are slower and need a transfer to the station, so most travellers with luggage prefer a direct car and driver.

Can I stop at Pinnawala on the way?

Yes. It adds roughly an hour and your driver can wait while you visit.

Choose your vehicle

Vehicle	Passengers	Average day rate
Mini car	Up to 2	About $61/day
Normal car	Up to 3	About $66/day
SUV	Up to 3	About $91/day
Large car	Up to 4	About $75/day
Minivan	Up to 6	About $103/day
Large van	Up to 10	About $118/day
Minibus	Up to 15	About $169/day

FAQs

How far is Kandy from Colombo Airport?

Roughly 115 km, which takes 3 to 3.5 hours by road.

Is there a faster way than a car?

Trains are slower and need a transfer to the station, so most travellers with luggage prefer a direct car and driver.

Can I stop at Pinnawala on the way?

Yes. It adds roughly an hour and your driver can wait while you visit.