There are 5 ways to get from Jaffna to Kandy by train, bus, car, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Jaffna to Polgahawela Junctiontrain Kankesanthurai to Mt Lavinia / ...
- Take the train from Polgahawela to Kandytrain Colombo
7h 28mRs 2,579–6,141Bus via Colombo
cheapest- Take the bus from Jaffna to Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminalbus Jaffna
- Take the bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Kandy Good Shed Bus Stationbus Colombo
13h 27mRs 1,693–2,090Bus
- Take the bus from Kachcheri to Kurunegalabus
- Take the bus from Ambepussa to Kandybus 17
7h 33mRs 4,907–5,216Drive 317 km
- Drive from Jaffna to Kandycar 317 km
5h 34mRs 14,458–20,884Taxi
- Take the taxi from Jaffna to Kandytaxi 317 km
5h 34mRs 15,000–19,000
Jaffna to Kandy by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Jaffna to Kandy is to bus via Colombo which costs Rs. 1600 - Rs. 2100 and takes 13h 27m.
The fastest way to get from Jaffna to Kandy is to drive which takes 5h 34m and costs Rs. 14000 - Rs. 21000.
No, there is no direct bus from Jaffna to Kandy. However, there are services departing from Kachcheri and arriving at Kandy via Kurunegala and Ambepussa. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 33m.
No, there is no direct train from Jaffna to Kandy. However, there are services departing from Jaffna and arriving at Kandy via Polgahawela. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 28m.
The distance between Jaffna and Kandy is 370 km. The road distance is 317 km.
The best way to get from Jaffna to Kandy without a car is to train which takes 7h 28m and costs Rs. 2500 - Rs. 6500.
It takes approximately 7h 28m to get from Jaffna to Kandy, including transfers.
Jaffna to Kandy bus services, operated by NCG Express, depart from Kachcheri station.
Jaffna to Kandy train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, depart from Jaffna station.
The best way to get from Jaffna to Kandy is to train which takes 7h 28m and costs Rs. 2500 - Rs. 6500. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs Rs. 4900 - Rs. 5300 and takes 7h 33m.
What companies run services between Jaffna, Sri Lanka and Kandy, Sri Lanka?
You can take a train from Jaffna to Kandy via Polgahawela in around 7h 28m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Kachcheri to Kandy via Kurunegala and Ambepussa in around 7h 33m.
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- seatreservation.railway.gov.lk
Train from Jaffna to Polgahawela Junction
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,300
- Website
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,400–1,800
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,500–3,300
Train from Polgahawela to Kandy
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,200–2,900
- Website
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
- 2nd Class Fare
- Rs 1,300–1,900
- 3rd Class Fare
- Rs 1,200–1,500
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Rs 2,200–2,900
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- ncgexpress@gmail.com
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Kachcheri to Kurunegala
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 18m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,350–2,500
- Schedules at
- https://ncgexpress.lk/
- Sleeper/Seater
- Rs 2,350–2,500
- Phone
- +94 011-2587372
- info@ntc.gov.lk
- Website
- ntc.gov.lk
Bus from Ambepussa to Kandy
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- Rs 210–230
- Website
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/
- Schedules at
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/times/
- Standard
- Rs 210–230
- Semi Lux
- Rs 230–320
- Super Lux
- Rs 430–550
Bus from Jaffna to Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 15m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–1,650
- Website
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/
- Schedules at
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/times/
- Standard
- Rs 1,300–1,500
- Semi Lux
- Rs 1,600–2,300
- Super Lux
- Rs 3,000–3,900
Bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Kandy Good Shed Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- Rs 390–440
- Website
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/
- Schedules at
- https://www.ntc.gov.lk/times/
- Standard
- Rs 390–440
- Semi Lux
- Rs 470–650
- Super Lux
- Rs 850–1,100
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 34m
- Estimated price
- Rs 15,000–19,000
Black Cabs Taxi Service
- Phone
- + 94 77 78 86 994
- Website
- blackcabs.business.site
Jaffna Cabs and Tours
- Phone
- +94 76 92 29 731
- Website
- jaffnacabtours.business.site
Jaffna Call Taxi and Cabs
Pickme
- Phone
- +94117433433
- Website
- pickme.lk
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More Questions & Answers
Jaffna to Kandy bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Kurunegala station.
Jaffna to Kandy train services, operated by Sri Lanka Railways, arrive at Polgahawela Junction station.
Yes, the driving distance between Jaffna to Kandy is 317 km. It takes approximately 5h 34m to drive from Jaffna to Kandy.
There are 1505+ hotels available in Kandy.