Taxi & private driver

Ella to Udawalawe National Park Taxi & Private Driver

Travelling from Ella to Udawalawe National Park? It's roughly 60 km and about 1.5 hours by private car with your own driver. Sri Lanka's most reliable wild elephant sighting — herds of hundreds on open savannah around a reservoir. You'll pass Haputale along the way — your driver will happily break the trip wherever you fancy a photo, a temple or a bite to eat.

from $33 ~1.5 hours 60 km

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

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.

VehiclePassengersOne-wayReturn trip
SedanToyota Prius / Axio1–3 passengers$33$60
SUVMitsubishi Montero1–4 passengers$39$71
VanToyota KDH4–8 passengers$51$92
Luxury VanMercedes V-Class1–6 passengers$60$108

Travelling the other way? Udawalawe National Park 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 to Udawalawe National Park FAQs

How long is the drive from Ella to Udawalawe National Park?

About 1.5 hours by private car for the 60 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 Udawalawe National Park cost?

A private air-conditioned car starts at $33 one-way — fixed and all-inclusive of fuel, tolls and your driver. A return trip is $60, 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 Udawalawe National Park?

Absolutely — Haputale is 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 Udawalawe National Park?

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.

Is the road from Ella to Udawalawe National Park in good condition?

Yes — it's a well-travelled route. Some stretches are fast highway and others are slower, winding roads, which is why the 60 km takes about 1.5 hours rather than what the distance alone suggests.

Fixed private fareNo meter
from $33

EllaUdawalawe National Park

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Pay the driver on arrival · Free cancellation