Driving from Colombo to Kandy: What You Should Know
Planning a trip from Colombo to Sri Lanka's hill capital? Here is our guide to routes, expressway sections, travel times, and why hiring a professional outstation driver lets you relax.
Route Breakdown & Travel Times
The drive from Colombo to Kandy covers roughly 115 kilometers. Depending on your chosen route and traffic, travel times range from 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
- Central Expressway (E04) Route: Connect via Mirigama to Kurunegala, then take the scenic A10 into Kandy. Offers the smoothest, fastest highway transit.
- Traditional A1 Highway: Via Peliyagoda, Nittambuwa, Warakapola, Kegalle, and the Kadugannawa Pass. Highly scenic, famous cashew stops in Kadugannawa, but prone to heavy bus and lorry traffic.
The Kadugannawa Incline
The Kadugannawa mountain pass features narrow hairpin turns and steep climbs. Having a seasoned professional driver who understands gear braking and hill country overtaking gives you safety and peace of mind.
Outstation Driver Hire for Kandy Trips
With Colombo Drivers, you can travel to Kandy in your own car while our driver handles the entire road. Rates for a full-day Colombo-to-Kandy trip start from LKR 4,500.
Book a Colombo to Kandy Outstation Driver
Day trips and multi-day tours. Your car, our professional driver.