Sri Lanka to Ella by train, bus, van, flight, taxi from LKR 1,445

How to get from Sri Lanka to Ella

When you want to get from Sri Lanka to Ella, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

Flight
Bus
Train
Van
Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Bus+taxi. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Van ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A taxi ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 403.87. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a train as a train ticket costs as low as USD 4.64.

How much does it cost to get from Sri Lanka to Ella?

The cost of the trip from Sri Lanka to Ella varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Sri Lanka Railway: travelling by train expect to pay as low as USD 4.64 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a taxi - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as USD 403.87.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Sri Lanka to Ella:

Train tickets - USD 4.64 to USD 23.29;
Van price : USD 9.36 - USD 82.90;
Bus tickets - USD 16.09 to USD 16.09;
Bus+taxi price: USD 28.71 - USD 269.88. From Sri Lanka to Ella starting from 00:00 Udawalawe until 00:00 Udawalawe
Plane tickets - USD 194.69 to USD 194.69;
taxi+Van price: USD 195.23 - USD 245.01. From Sri Lanka to Ella starting from 00:00 Ambalangoda until 00:00 Ambalangoda

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 38.62 to USD 403.87.

How many trips per day are there between Sri Lanka and Ella?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 26 trains per day.
8 by Bus+taxi from Sri Lanka to Ella starting from 00:00 Udawalawe until 00:00 Udawalawe
Buses start plying the route from 10:30 - you can also take a bus as late as 18:30. There are 7 available bus trips every day.
Vans from Sri Lanka to Ella depart during the day - there are approximately 6 departures a day.
2 by taxi+Van from Sri Lanka to Ella starting from 00:00 Ambalangoda until 00:00 Ambalangoda
Flights from Sri Lanka to Ella depart during the day - there are approximately 1 departures a day.
Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Sri Lanka to Ella any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Flights

Traveling by plane is the fastest way to get from Sri Lanka to Ella. While it’s often the most expensive option, tool, occasionally you can grab promotional tickets for more or less the price of a train or a ferry ticket. Normally, the minimum you need to pay for a Plane ticket is USD 194.69.

Things to remember before boarding a plane:

It’s recommended to book a ticket in advance and check-in online. This way, you can save over 2 hours at the airport, and if your seat selection is on a first come first served basis you will have more options to choose from.
Getting through security checks may take some time - it’s recommended to get to the airport at least 1.5 hours in advance.

Airlines flying from Sri Lanka to Ella

Cinnamon Air

Buses

Taking a bus from Sri Lanka to Ella is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Sri Lanka to Ella. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as USD 38.62.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

Trains

Things to remember while choosing a train ticket:
Consider everything carefully while choosing the class of your train travel. In most cases, the second class is comfortable enough – it features 2 or 4 berths in each compartment and is often air-conditioned.

If you’re in for a premium experience, consider getting a first class ticket. The price of first class tickets may include Wifi, and a choice of snacks and drinks.

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Sri Lanka to Ella. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.

Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Sri Lanka to Ella.

Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around..

The most popular transport from Sri Lanka to Ella

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Sri Lanka to Ella? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

82% users enjoyed a train ride.
8% decided to go for a bus.
7% opted for a van.
1% Other

Transportation from Sri Lanka to Ella

Facts about the transport from Sri Lanka to Ella

Cheapest Transport	$5
Fastest Transport	16m
Earliest Departure	12:00 AM
Latest Departure	6:30 PM
Departures per day	194
Distance	14 kilometers
Transport Companies	Ceylon Roots, Cinnamon Air, Lakpura, Magical Sri Lanka, Real Lanka Holidays, Sri Lanka Bus Service, Sri Lanka Railway, Tours with Stef Lanka, Tuktukdude Leisure

Popular Routes

Sri Lanka to Ella