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
14h 28mRs 1,693–2,090Bus
- Take the bus from Kachcheri to Nittambuwabus
- Take the bus from Nittambuwa to Kandy Good Shed Bus Stationbus Colombo
7h 51mRs 2,970–3,100Drive 317.7 km
- Drive from Jaffna to Kandycar 317.7 km
5h 33mRs 14,246–20,577Taxi
- Take the taxi from Jaffna to Kandytaxi 317.7 km
5h 33mRs 22,000–27,000
Jaffna to Kandy by train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Jaffna to Kandy is to bus via Colombo which costs Rs. 1600 - Rs. 2100 and takes 14h 28m.
The fastest way to get from Jaffna to Kandy is to drive which takes 5h 33m and costs Rs. 14000 - Rs. 21000.
No, there is no direct bus from Jaffna to Kandy station. However, there are services departing from Kachcheri and arriving at Kandy Good Shed Bus Station via Nittambuwa. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 51m.
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 317.7 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. 2900 - Rs. 3100 and takes 7h 51m.
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 Good Shed Bus Station via Nittambuwa in around 7h 51m.
- Phone
- +94 114 600 111
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
Train from Jaffna to Polgahawela Junction
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,300–3,300
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
- 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
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- Rs 1,200–2,900
- Website
- Sri Lanka Railways
- 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 Nittambuwa
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 18m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- Rs 2,700–2,800
- Schedules at
- NCG Express Facebook
- Sleeper/Seater
- Rs 2,700–2,800
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 33m
- Estimated price
- Rs 22,000–27,000
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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Booking & Getting There
Jaffna to Kandy bus services, operated by NCG Express, arrive at Nittambuwa 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 318 km. It takes approximately 5h 33m to drive from Jaffna to Kandy.
There are 1562+ hotels available in Kandy.