Nuwara Eliya Tourism

There are no direct flights to Nuwara Eliya as Nuwara Eliya airport is not yet constructed. The closest airport to the place is Bandaranaike International Airport at Colombo, located about 180 km away from Nuwara Eliya. Colombo airport is connected to all major cities in the world directly or through connecting flights that usually stops at some or the other Indian city. There are various service providers offering flights connecting important cities all over the world with Sri Lankan airways being one of the major air carriers.

When you land in Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, you can either take road routes or opt for rail to reach Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is a small town so you can easily go to most places by foot. If you have to go far, you can use the colorful tuk-tuks to reach to your destination. While you can get around the town quiet easily, it is advisable not to plan trips of more than 60km away from town considering the bad road conditions.

Nuwara Eliya does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest railway station is Nanu Oya situated 8km from Nuwara Eliya. Nanu Oya is well connected to Colombo through the Main Line. The route will allow you to see mesmerizing sights of lush green tea gardens to tall mountains. It usually takes 7 hours from Colombo to Nanu Oya if the weather is favorable. From Nanu Oya you can take taxis or buses. You can even opt for multi-coloured tuk-tuks that will take you to Nuwara Eliya.

After reaching Colombo, Sri Lankan capital city, you have two main routes for Nuwara Eliya - via Kandy and one via Hatton. Both the roads are not in good condition, to drive to Nuwara Eliya but offer great scenic views. The distance from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is about 175 km. Tourists can also use the bus services from either Hatton or Kandy. Several intercity buses run from Colombo to Hatton and Kandy almost every hour and there are buses from Hatton and Kandy that will take you to Nuwara Eliya. The Hatton road is preferable to Kandy for cars and vans as it is less steep and less busy. You can opt for bus journeys to train journeys to reach this hill station faster. The fare depends upon the type of service you avail but is quite nominal.

Sri Lanka does not have good infrastructure so you will come across bumpy and potholed roads. It will be difficult for you to bear the road journey if you are used to driving fast.