Ella to Kandy Taxi & Private Driver
Travelling from Ella to Kandy? It's roughly 137 km and about 3.5 hours by private car with your own driver. Home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and gateway to the tea country; the cultural heart of the island. You'll pass Badulla and Nuwara Eliya along the way — your driver will happily break the trip wherever you fancy a photo, a temple or a bite to eat.
What's included
- Private air-conditioned car & driver
- Fuel and highway tolls
- Meet-and-greet with a name board
- Flight tracking — no charge for delays
- Free bottled water & Wi-Fi on board
About the Ella to Kandy drive
The heart of the hill-country loop. Most travellers ride the famous blue train and let their driver carry the bags ahead — but by road it's a gorgeous climb past tea estates and waterfalls.
When to go: Year-round; mornings are clearest before the hill mist rolls in.
- Do the Nanu Oya–Ella train leg and have your driver meet you.
- Ella's Little Adam's Peak is an easy sunrise hike.
Stops along the way
This route passes close to some of the island's best-known spots — ask your driver to break the journey at any of them.
Pricing by vehicle
All fares are fixed — no meter, no hidden charges. Choose the vehicle that fits your group.
| Vehicle | Passengers | One-way | Return trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| SedanToyota Prius / Axio | 1–3 passengers | $76 | $137 |
| SUVMitsubishi Montero | 1–4 passengers | $90 | $162 |
| VanToyota KDH | 4–8 passengers | $117 | $211 |
| Luxury VanMercedes V-Class | 1–6 passengers | $137 | $247 |
Travelling the other way? Kandy to Ella
Adding more stops? Map the full route on the Sri Lanka distance calculator to see driving distances between every city.
Explore the destinations
- Ella travel guide — things to do, sights and tips
- Kandy travel guide — things to do, sights and tips
More routes from Ella
Ella to Kandy FAQs
How long is the drive from Ella to Kandy?
About 3.5 hours by private car for the 137 km journey. Sri Lankan roads are slower than the distance implies, so allow a little extra if you plan to stop.
How much does a private driver from Ella to Kandy cost?
A private air-conditioned car starts at $76 one-way — fixed and all-inclusive of fuel, tolls and your driver. A return trip is $137, and larger SUVs or vans are available for bigger groups.
Is the price per vehicle or per person?
Per vehicle. The fare covers the whole car, so a group of four pays the same as a solo traveller — split between you it's often cheaper than the train or bus once you add taxis at each end.
Can we stop at places along the way from Ella to Kandy?
Absolutely — Badulla and Nuwara Eliya are right on this route, and reasonable detours are no extra charge. Just tell your driver what you'd like to see.
Which vehicle should I choose for Ella to Kandy?
A sedan suits 1–3 travellers with light luggage. For 4 people or extra bags choose an SUV, and for 5–6 or lots of suitcases a minivan is the comfortable option — all at fixed prices shown above.
Can I do Ella to Kandy as a day trip?
At 137 km and about 3.5 hours each way it's doable as a long day, but most travellers prefer to stay over so they aren't rushing. Your driver can wait and bring you back the same day if you'd rather.
Ella → Kandy
Book this transfer Ask on WhatsAppPay the driver on arrival · Free cancellation