Bandarawela

Is Bandarawela worth visiting?

Quick answer: Yes, as a cool and practical base between Haputale and Ella. Bandarawela is a hill town in Uva Province at about 1,230 m, on the hill railway that is running from Nanu Oya to Ella and Badulla. It has its own weather station, which shows June to August as the driest months. Ella is about 30 minutes away by train.

The Uva Province tourism site describes Bandarawela as a hill town known for its cool climate, tea plantations and colonial-era buildings, with guesthouses, boutique hotels and resorts (Visit Uva, Bandarawela). It is busier and more of a working town than Ella or Haputale, with fewer backpacker cafes.

Where is Bandarawela?

Bandarawela is in Badulla District, Uva Province. On the railway it is 259.15 km from Colombo Fort, between Diyatalawa and Kinigama, and the next main stop after it is Ella (Sri Lanka Railways fare table).

Road distances on an OpenStreetMap route we checked on 19 October 2026 (car, no traffic):

Hill roads are slow and winding, so allow more time, especially in rain or after dark.

What is the weather like in Bandarawela by month?

Bandarawela is one of the few hill towns with its own long-term weather record. These are the 1991 to 2020 WMO climate normals for the Bandarawela station, 1,226 m above sea level (WMO normals, Bandarawela):

The yearly total is 2,106 mm. The pattern is the reverse of the south-west coast: on the same normals, Colombo gets 196.7 mm in June and Bandarawela 90.5 mm. If you are travelling in June, July or August, this part of the hill country is a strong choice. Our best time to visit guide compares regions by month.

What time are the trains from Bandarawela?

As of 19 October 2026, the line through Bandarawela is running between Nanu Oya and Badulla. No train runs from Kandy or Colombo to Nanu Oya, so you join this line at Nanu Oya or further east. These are the times in the Sri Lanka Railways notice in force from 20 June 2026, which we re-read on 19 October 2026 (SLR notice, PDF):

Towards Ella and Badulla

Towards Nanu Oya

Confirm times on the Sri Lanka Railways 1971 line or at the station. Reserved first-class and second-class seats can be booked on the official reservation site up to 30 days ahead. Its FAQ uses Bandarawela as an example: if you join or leave a Colombo to Badulla booking here, you still pay the fare for the booked section (SLR reservation FAQ). See our Nanu Oya to Ella train guide for the latest line status and our train booking guide for step-by-step booking.

The Uva Province tourism site says the Bandarawela station was built by the British in the late 19th century, with a red brick front and a tiled roof, and that the ride on to Badulla is known for its views (Visit Uva, Bandarawela Railway Station).

What can you do in Bandarawela?

The Uva Province tourism site describes these places in and around Bandarawela:

• Dowa Rock Temple. A Buddhist temple set in a cave in a large rock, with its main shrine carved into the rock face and a reclining Buddha of about 11.5 m (38 feet). The Uva site says legend links its founding to King Walagamba in the 1st century BCE and that it is a protected archaeological site (Visit Uva, Dowa Rock Temple). It is a working temple, so cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes. Our temple dress code guide has the details.
• Obadaella temple. An old Buddhist temple in Bandarawela with murals, frescoes and quiet gardens, where festivals are held through the year (Visit Uva).
• Walks and birdwatching. The Uva site describes trails through tea estates, forests and villages around the town, good for hiking and birdwatching (Visit Uva). Stay on paths and ask before entering estate land.

For the big Ella sights, such as Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge, Bandarawela is a 30-minute train ride away.

Are there landslide warnings near Bandarawela? (Checked 19 October 2026)

On 18 October 2026 the NBRI's landslide warning, valid from 6 pm that day to 6 pm on 19 October, listed three divisions in Badulla District at Level 1 (Yellow): Haputale, Haldumulla and Passara. Bandarawela was not on the list (landslide early warning, 18 October 2026). Warnings change daily in the October and November rains, so check again the night before any road trip.

Should you stay in Bandarawela or Ella?

For the two bigger hill bases, see Ella vs Nuwara Eliya. For a full route, see the hill country itinerary.