A crisp Kandy travel guide for slow traveling

Kandy has everything going for it. The location is beautiful; the city is a charming mix of colonial buildings and bustling Asian vibes, and the hills are just gorgeous. There are quite a few places to visit if you wish to go to the regular tourist trail and it is also a great place for unwinding. Tea rooms, beautiful hotels, lush greenery, and plenty of surrounding areas to visit make Kandy a perfect Sri Lankan destination. Plus, the Kandyan festivals are amazing, the city hosts regular traditional dance shows and the train journey between Kandy to Ella is touted as the most beautiful in the world. Kandy is riddled with religious sites, the most important one being the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Owing to its historic and religious significance, Kandy was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and is referred to as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.

Best time for Kandy travel

Sri Lanka experiences two monsoon seasons: the Yala and Maha. The Yala monsoon season happens from May to August affecting the southwestern part of the country. The Maha monsoon season takes over from October until January and pours over the northeastern parts of Sri Lanka. Kandy is located in central Sri Lanka and is generally affected by both monsoon seasons to a certain extent. The best time therefore to visit Kandy is between January to March. October till December is the wettest time and Kandy travel is not advisable.

Recommended Read: A VERY RELAXING WEEK IN KANDY

How to reach Kandy

A well organized Kandy travel means an easy means of transportation. Gone are the colonial era days when Kandy could be reached only by an arduous trek from the coast. Nowadays, it is a very popular destination that is easily reached from all over Sri Lanka.

• One can reach Kandy by bus, train, and taxi from Colombo Fort, Galle, and Nuwara Eliya or any other hill country destination.
• The Colombo-Kandy, Galle-Kandy, and Ella-Kandy train routes get filled up fast and it makes sense to book your tickets early.
• From Galle by bus – Please note that there is no direct bus from Galle station to Kandy station. There are daily services departing from Galle Bus Station and arriving at Kandy Good Shed Bus Station via Kaduwela. This journey takes approximately 5h 10m including transfers.
• From Galle by train – Similarly, there is no direct train from Galle station to Kandy either. There are daily services that leave from Galle Station and arrive at Kandy via Fort Station. The journey also takes around 5 hours including transfers.
• From Colombo by train – The Colombo to Kandy train ride cost ranges from LKR 180 for 3rd Class, LKR 280 for 2nd class, and LKR 500 for first-class (air-conditioned).
• From Colombo by bus – The Number 1 bus from Pettah central bus station from Colombo goes to Kandy bus station. The cost is around LKR 130 – 150. It takes around three hours and the bus ride is reputed to be very uncomfortable.
• From Kandy to Ella by train – Trains leave from Kandy train station, Kandy and the ticket prices for the 2nd class and 3rd class seats per person are  LKR 240 and LKR 175 respectively. Express trains depart Ella for Kandy twice a day at 0847 and 1110. These are subject to change.
• Kandy is the starting point of one of the world’s most beautiful train routes. Choose from a stunning 4 to 7 hours journey through the tea plantation hills and rainforests. Take the 4-hour ride to Nuwara Eliya if the 7-hour to Ella is not your cup of tea.

  

City transportation for a hassle-free Kandy travel

Tuk-tuks are the lifeline of Sri Lankan transportation system. They are cheap, convenient, and easy to get. In Kandy, however, tuk-tuks have a bad reputation and the local drivers are extremely aggressive. I too had a very unpleasant experience with an aggressive tuk-tuk driver in Kandy and he creepily followed me around after I hired some other driver’s services. The best way to avoid such unpleasantness is to explore Kandy on foot. It is a compact and easily walkable city. However, if you are staying away from the city center in hilly areas like Anniewata, then a mode of transportation can be a blessing. You can try your luck with the Kandy tuk-tuks. Just flag one down, negotiate and agree upon the fare before getting in. At any cost, avoid taking a tuk-tuk from the train station. They have the worst reputation. There is a Sri Lankan transportation app called PickMe and it works like Uber. Just download it on your Android/IOS phone and start using it. There is another useful app called Fairsfare that gives you the correct estimate of a ride anywhere in Sri Lanka. The main Kandy bus station is located next to the train station. It caters to long-distance routes only. Head to the Torrington bus station in the downtown area for inner-city buses.

You may also like: GALLE OFFBEAT THINGS TO DO

Recommended Read: THE STILT FISHERMEN OF KOGGALA

Things to do during your Kandy travel

• Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – This is a holy place for the Buddhists and supposedly contains the canine of Buddha. This relic is housed in a jeweled casket and it is widely believed that whoever possessed the tooth relic had a divine right to rule that land. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth is best visited during the 10-day grand Kandy Esala Perahera that is held every year in July and August. Suggested Length of Visit: About 2-3 hours / Admission: LKR 1,500 or LKR 1,000 from SAARC countries. Both females and males need to cover up legs and shoulders. Shoes must be removed before entering the temple.
• Relax at the Botanical Garden in Kandy – The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kandy is famous for its 4000+ species of plants and trees. It is a 15-minute drive from downtown Kandy and is a great escape from the city. Entrance fee: LKR 1,500 per person entry. Hire a tuk-tuk to the gardens for LKR 400 or catch the number 644 bus from near the Kandy Clock Tower. It will take you directly to the garden, for around LKR 20.
• Watch a Kandyan Dance Performance – Though a tad touristy, watching a Kandyan dance performance is one of the best things you can do here. Kandy is considered to be the cultural capital of Sri Lanka and there are a few venues around the city that holds regular traditional dance performances. I enjoyed a performance at the Kandy Lake Club. It is held every day from 5-6 PM.
• Day trip to Sigiriya – Sigiriya is a three hours drive from Kandy. It is the home of the Lion Rock, one of the Sri Lankan UNESCO world heritage sites. The Lion Rock is an enormous 200-meter square-shaped rock towering over the entire region. It is a must-visit place in Sri Lanka. One can also visit Nuwara Eliya on a day trip from Kandy, though it deserves more time.
• Unwind and Relax – No Kandy travel is complete without unwinding and relaxing. It is a place meant for hanging up your hat. Kandy has excellent homestays and resorts that provide the ultimate serenity needed to recharge your batteries. All you need is a good book, a pot of hot Ceylon tea, and cloudy, cool hilly weather. With all that lush, wet greenery around you, unwinding will come naturally.

  

A suggested itinerary for that perfect Kandy travel

DAY ONE

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Kandy Lake and Kandy city walk
• Udawattakele Forest Reserve (optional)
• Kandyan Dance Performance

DAY TWO

• Minibus to Dambulla
• Dambulla Cave Temple
• Climb the Lion Rock at Sigiriya
• Overnight stay in Sigiriya

DAY THREE

• Bus to Polonnaruwa
• Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
• Bus back to Kandy

Follow the rest of Sri Lanka series:

• WHAT I LOVED ABOUT SRI LANKA
• COLOMBO VIBES
• KOLLUPITIYA MARKET IN COLOMBO PHOTO WALK
• COLOMBO TRAVEL GUIDE
• MIRISSA DAYS

NOTE: In view of the security situation in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of terror attacks on 21 April 2019, the updated travel advisory states that the security situation in Sri Lanka is gradually returning to normal with the lifting of curfew & restrictions on social media and the opening of schools. Foreign nationals travelling to Sri Lanka are advised to be careful and vigilant.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVELING-BECAUSE I CARE

FAQs

What are the best attractions in Kandy?
Kandy’s top attractions include the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanical Gardens (home to over 4,000 species of plants and trees), and Kandyan cultural dance performances. The city is also the starting point for the train journey to Ella, often touted as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.

Is Kandy worth visiting?
Absolutely, according to the article — it calls Kandy a place that ‘has everything going for it’: a beautiful hillside setting, a charming mix of colonial architecture and bustling Asian energy, tea rooms, lush greenery, and vibrant traditional festivals.

How much time should I spend in Kandy?
The article offers a suggested itinerary for ‘that perfect Kandy travel,’ and breaks down individual sights with specific time estimates — for example, about 2-3 hours is recommended for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — suggesting a few days total works well to cover the temple, gardens, dance shows, and surrounding areas without rushing.

What is Kandy famous for?
Kandy is famous for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — historically tied to the belief that whoever possessed the relic had a divine right to rule the land — and for hosting the grand 10-day Kandy Esala Perahera festival every July and August. It’s also known for Kandyan dance performances and its role as the gateway to the scenic Kandy-to-Ella train route.

Is Kandy tourist-friendly?
Yes — the article details clear, affordable transportation options: trains and buses connect Kandy to Colombo and Galle (with fares as low as LKR 130-500 depending on class), and local transport to attractions like the Botanical Gardens is easy via tuk-tuk (LKR 400) or the number 644 bus (around LKR 20).

I’m planning a trip to Kandy — what should I prioritize seeing and doing there?
Prioritize the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (dress modestly, covering legs and shoulders, and remove shoes before entering; entrance is LKR 1,500, or LKR 1,000 for SAARC nationals), the Royal Botanical Gardens (LKR 1,500 entrance, a 15-minute drive from downtown), and a Kandyan dance performance — the article admits it’s a bit touristy but still calls it one of the best things to do in the city.

Can you give me an honest, first-hand take on what Kandy is actually like to visit?
The article is enthusiastic throughout, praising Kandy’s combination of natural beauty, colonial charm, and living cultural traditions. It’s candid, though, that some experiences — like the Kandyan dance performance — lean touristy, while still recommending them as worthwhile.

What’s the best time of year to visit Kandy, and why?
The article specifically recommends visiting during the Kandy Esala Perahera, a grand 10-day festival held every July and August, for the best experience of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Kandy’s cultural traditions.

What should a first-time visitor to Kandy know before they go?
First-time visitors should know dress codes are strictly enforced at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — both men and women must cover legs and shoulders and remove shoes before entering. It’s also worth knowing that buses from Colombo, while cheap (LKR 130-150), are reputed to be quite uncomfortable, so the train (LKR 180-500 depending on class) may be the better choice for comfort.

How does Kandy compare to nearby destinations for someone deciding where to go?
Kandy connects conveniently to other Sri Lankan destinations — roughly a 5-hour journey by bus or train from Galle (via transfers), and a direct train or bus link to Colombo. It’s also the starting point for the Kandy-to-Ella train route, frequently cited as one of the most scenic rail journeys anywhere, making it a natural hub for a broader Sri Lanka itinerary.