Colombo to Kandy train

Is there a train from Colombo to Kandy right now?

Quick answer: Not into Kandy station. Since 2 October 2026, trains from Colombo Fort run to Peradeniya, about 7 km before Kandy, and to Gampola. The last stretch into Kandy is closed until the Peradeniya "Black Bridge" is restored, and no reopening date had been given by 19 October 2026. Take the train to Peradeniya, then a tuk-tuk or bus into Kandy.

The line from Colombo to Kandy was badly damaged by Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025. The railway said the Rambukkana to Gampola section had 103 damaged sites, restored with help from the National Building Research Organisation (Daily Mirror, 28 Sep 2026). Trains came back as far as Peradeniya and Gampola on 2 October 2026. Kandy station itself still has no trains.

What time are the trains from Colombo to Peradeniya?

These are the times Sri Lanka Railways announced for the restart, as reported on 28 September 2026 (Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka Mirror). The evening trains started on 2 October and the morning trains on 3 October.

Colombo Fort to Peradeniya and Gampola

Peradeniya and Gampola to Colombo Fort

We could not confirm these times on the railway's own timetable site because it was offline on 19 October 2026. Call the Sri Lanka Railways 1971 line or ask at Colombo Fort before you travel.

A note on train numbers. The Podi Menike from Colombo uses the number 1005, and so does the morning train from Nanu Oya to Ella. They do not connect. The Colombo train reaches Gampola at 9.06 am, and the Nanu Oya train leaves Nanu Oya at 9.00 am. No trains run between Gampola and Nanu Oya.

How do you get from Peradeniya station to Kandy?

Peradeniya Junction is about 6.8 km by road from Kandy station, around 9 minutes with no traffic on an OpenStreetMap route we checked on 19 October 2026. In practice, allow 20 to 30 minutes in Kandy traffic.

If you are heading straight to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the tuk-tuk can drop you near the lake. See our Kandy guide for where to stay.

Why don't trains go into Kandy station?

Kandy station sits on a short branch from Peradeniya Junction. That branch crosses the Peradeniya railway bridge, known locally as the Black Bridge, which is still being restored after the cyclone.

• On 2 October 2026, the Department of Railways said about 75 per cent of the Upcountry line was running and that trains to Kandy and Matale would resume once the bridge is restored (Colombo Times, 2 Oct 2026).
• The same day, the Minister of Transport said work on the bridge was being sped up. He gave no finish date (Daily Mirror, 2 Oct 2026).
• On 19 October 2026, the railway's media notices page showed no notice reopening Kandy station.

Our Kandy to Ella train guide tracks every section of the line and will note when Kandy reopens.

Are trains running on time?

Not always. A slope near Kadigamuwa station, between Rambukkana and Peradeniya, has slipped onto the track several times:

• On 16 October 2026 a landslide blocked the line near Kadigamuwa for the third time (Daily Mirror).
• On 17 October 2026, soil fell on the tracks at about 5.15 am, delaying a train from Polgahawela to Gampola and services towards Gampola and Colombo Fort (Daily Mirror).

The NBRI landslide warning issued on 18 October 2026 still listed Rambukkana and other Kegalle divisions at Level 1 (Yellow), with four Kegalle divisions at Level 2 (Amber) (NBRI warning, 18 Oct 2026). In the October and November rains, leave spare time and keep a road backup for any flight or tour you must make.

How much is the train from Colombo to Kandy?

These are the basic fares from Colombo Fort in Sri Lanka Railways' fare table dated 4 July 2022 (SLR fare table, PDF). They are the newest published table we found on 19 October 2026, so treat them as a guide and check the price when you buy.

Reserved seats bought online show their own price before you pay, and the booking site adds a 5 per cent convenience fee on card or LankaQR payments (SLR reservation FAQ). Our train booking and prices guide explains classes and fees across all lines.

How do you book the Colombo to Kandy train?

Reserved seats are sold on the official Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation site. Its FAQ, checked on 19 October 2026, says:

1. Create an account first.
2. You can book from 30 days before departure until 2 hours before.
3. You can book up to 5 seats at a time, and you need a NIC or passport number for every passenger.
4. You cannot choose your seat number.
5. The e-ticket works printed or on your phone. It cannot be transferred to someone else.
6. Refunds: 75 per cent if you cancel more than 168 hours (7 days) before departure, 50 per cent between 48 and 168 hours, and nothing within 48 hours.

If you have no reservation, buy an unreserved ticket at the station counter on the day and arrive early to find a seat.

Is the train, a car or the bus best from Colombo to Kandy?

Coming straight from the airport? Our Colombo airport to Kandy guide compares the car, bus and train in detail.

Can you continue from Kandy to Ella by train?

Not yet. As of 19 October 2026, there is no train between Gampola and Nanu Oya. The common workaround is a car from Kandy to Nanu Oya, about 79 km and around 1 h 40 min with no traffic on OpenStreetMap, then the train from Nanu Oya to Ella. Our Nanu Oya to Ella train guide has those times, and the Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya guide explains the station transfer if you stay in Nuwara Eliya.