How to Get to and Around Nuwara Eliya – A Lovely Town in the Hills

The highland town of Nuwara Eliya offers many attractions for visitors. There are several good ways to get to and around Nuwara Eliya, such as by train, bus, taxi, aircraft and tuk-tuk. Depending on your individual needs and budget, each of these options will have its allure. Provided below is some useful information regarding these modes of travel.

Banu119, Hill Country Train View, CC BY-SA 4.0

By train

You will find that the town of Nuwara Eliya is located on the train route stretching from Kandy to Ella; this train ride is considered to rank amongst the most picturesque journeys you could take by train anywhere on the globe. On this train journey, you will have the opportunity to experience stunning views of the scenic hill country of Sri Lanka. Therefore, travelling to Nuwara Eliya by train would be the obvious option for reaching this town; do keep in mind the station is at "Nanu Oya", a short distance from the main town centre.

Meanwhile, you will also be able to travel to Nuwara Eliya from Sri Lanka's largest city, Colombo, by train. On this route as well, you will be able to enjoy picturesque views of the striking landscapes and charming villages as you pass by them. This journey will take somewhat longer than making the trip by car or bus, but the remarkable views will make up for the extra time taken. Once you have reached your destination, you can head to one of the unique local accommodation options such as Heritance Tea Factory and look forward to some captivating Nuwara Eliya sightseeing as well.

By bus

It will also be possible to reach Nuwara Eliya by bus from Colombo, Kandy and Ella. You will find that buses travel these routes several times each day. Although travelling times would depend on the traffic and weather conditions, it may be said that the bus journey from Kandy or Ella would take roughly about two hours and thirty minutes; the journey from Colombo should take about six hours. When travelling to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo, you will have the option of taking a tourist bus (the most luxurious and costliest option), a local air-conditioned bus, a semi-luxury bus or an ordinary bus according to your needs and budget.

By taxi or hired vehicle

Another option to consider for travelling to Nuwara Eliya would be taking a taxi or hiring a vehicle / van with a driver; the latter would be particularly advantageous if you are travelling in a group. With such means of transport, you will have the benefits of travelling directly to your accommodation and not having to bother about bus or train schedules. If you desire a comfortable and relaxing trip where you can easily stop anywhere along the way as well, an air-conditioned taxi or hired vehicle would be hard to beat.

By aircraft

If your budget can accommodate it, it will also be possible to travel to Nuwara Eliya via domestic flights. Undoubtedly, it will be a distinctive and unforgettable experience to enjoy a bird's eye view of the lovely local scenery from the comfort of an aircraft. As the area surrounding Nuwara Eliya boasts great natural beauty, viewing it from high up in the air is likely to be a mesmerising sight. Such a flight will surely become a treasured memory of your visit.

By tuk-tuk

Once you are in Nuwara Eliya, one of the best ways to get about would be by taking a tuk-tuk. These three-wheeled vehicles can be found in the main town area and around transport hubs and will take you right up to where you want to go. After you find an available driver, it will be possible to negotiate a fare to travel to your chosen destination. However, you should be ready to bargain for a reasonable fare, never accepting the initial price suggested by the driver. Travelling in a tuk-tuk will be an interesting experience since it is very much unlike any other forms of travel.