Check before you travel Hill-country railway: repairs after Cyclone Ditwah Checked 19 October 2026
Cyclone Ditwah damaged the hill-country railway in November 2025, and it is reopening in stages. Since 2 October 2026, trains run again from Colombo Fort to Peradeniya and Gampola, but Kandy station itself is not served yet. Earth slips near Kadigamuwa have blocked the line more than once since then, most recently early on 17 October 2026, when trains towards Gampola and Colombo Fort were delayed; expect delays or short suspensions after heavy rain. Trains between Nanu Oya and Badulla, which stop at Haputale, Ella and Demodara, restarted on 20 June 2026. The section between Gampola and Nanu Oya is still under repair, so you cannot yet go by train from Colombo or Kandy all the way to Ella. Check the latest services before you plan a rail journey, and book reserved seats on the Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation site.
Kandy is the first stop inland for most visitors, and in normal times the train from Colombo is one of the classic ways to get there. For now, though, the railway doesn’t reach Kandy itself: Cyclone Ditwah damaged the line in November 2025, and repairs are still under way. That leaves the road, by bus or by car, with a train as far as Peradeniya as an option for rail fans.
The short answer: take a car and driver if you have luggage or want to stop on the way, or a bus from Colombo if you’re travelling light. Check the travel update at the top of this page for the latest on the railway.
By road: the A1
The A1 runs from Colombo inland through Kegalle and up the Kadugannawa pass to Kandy. It reopened fully in December 2025 after the cyclone, but rockfalls closed the Kadugannawa section again for a night in August 2026, so check conditions after heavy rain and avoid driving the pass after dark in bad weather.
- Car and driver: door to door, with time to stop. It’s the easiest option with luggage, and costs much more than the bus. Agree in writing what the price includes, and say at the start that you don’t want shopping stops.
- Bus: state-run SLTB buses leave from the Central Bus Stand in Pettah, next to Colombo Fort station, and private buses from the nearby Bastian Mawatha bus station. They’re cheap and frequent, but crowded, with no luggage hold on most. In April 2026 News 1st reported extra buses from Pettah to Kandy via the expressway for New Year travel. Our getting around guide explains the bus types.
- Ride-hailing apps: PickMe and Uber book cars in Colombo; ask the price for the whole trip before you set off.
By train: Colombo to Peradeniya, for now
There have been no trains into Kandy since Cyclone Ditwah. From early October 2026 services from Colombo were extended to Peradeniya and Gampola, but the section between Peradeniya and Kandy stays closed until a bridge is repaired. Sri Lanka Railways said on 1 October 2026 that it plans to resume Colombo–Kandy trains in January.
Until then, you can take the train to Peradeniya and finish the last few kilometres by tuk-tuk or taxi. It’s a pleasant way to arrive if you’re travelling light. Peradeniya is also where the Royal Botanic Gardens are, about 5.5 km from Kandy, so you can visit them on the way. Book reserved seats on the official Sri Lanka Railways site, and see our train travel guide.
Stops on the way
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. Founded in 1821, with more than 4,000 plant species, on the Colombo road just before Kandy.
- Pinnawala. The elephant orphanage near Kegalle is on the way, but welfare groups advise against its hands-on extras such as bathing and feeding. Our guide to Pinnawala or wild elephants explains the alternatives.
- Temples west of Kandy. Embekke Devalaya and Gadaladeniya Temple are old temples a short detour from the road.
Arriving in Kandy
Kandy is a busy city, so time your arrival to avoid the evening traffic if you can. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is open daily from 5.30 am to 8 pm, and an evening visit is a good first taste of the city. If you’re arriving straight from the airport, our guide to arriving in Sri Lanka covers money, SIM cards and the taxi counter. And if you’re still weighing up where to stay in the hills, see Kandy or Sigiriya.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is the train running from Colombo to Kandy?
Not all the way. Since early October 2026 trains run from Colombo as far as Peradeniya, and Sri Lanka Railways plans to resume Colombo–Kandy services in January.
What is the best way to get from Colombo to Kandy?
By car and driver with luggage or if you want to stop on the way; by bus if you travel light. The A1 reopened fully in December 2025.
Where do buses to Kandy leave from in Colombo?
SLTB buses from the Central Bus Stand in Pettah, next to Colombo Fort station, and private buses from the nearby Bastian Mawatha bus station.
Is the road from Colombo to Kandy safe?
Yes, but rockfalls can close the Kadugannawa section after heavy rain, as in August 2026. Check conditions before you travel in wet weather.
Can I stop at Pinnawala on the way to Kandy?
It is on the way, near Kegalle, but welfare groups advise against its hands-on extras. A safari to see wild elephants is the better choice.
Header photo: Pasindu g bandara / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
