Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya
Nanu Oya is the railway station for Nuwara Eliya, about 8 km away by road. How to make the transfer, when to leave for each train to Ella, which trains arrive from Ella, and what is and isn't running, checked on 19 October 2026.
Official: Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation
How do you get from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya?
Quick answer: Nanu Oya is the railway station for Nuwara Eliya, about 7.8 km away by road. Take a tuk-tuk, taxi or local bus, and allow 20 to 30 minutes. Nuwara Eliya has no station of its own. As of 19 October 2026, trains run from Nanu Oya to Ella and Badulla, but not from Kandy or Colombo to Nanu Oya.
Most travellers use this transfer once: to catch the train from Nanu Oya towards Ella, or to reach Nuwara Eliya after the train from Ella. Our Nanu Oya to Ella train guide covers the ride itself. This page covers the 8 km between the station and the town.
How far is Nanu Oya station from Nuwara Eliya?
| Leg | Distance | Time with no traffic | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwara Eliya post office to Nanu Oya station | 7.8 km | about 9 min | 20 to 30 min |
| Nanu Oya station to Ella station (train) | 64.5 km by rail | 2 h 27 min on trains 1005 and 1015 | Trains often run late |
| Kandy to Nanu Oya station (road) | 79.3 km | about 1 h 40 min | 2 h 30 min or more |
Road figures come from an OpenStreetMap route we checked on 19 October 2026. The rail distance is the difference between Nanu Oya (207.06 km) and Ella (271.59 km) in the Sri Lanka Railways fare table. Train times are from the railway's notice in force from 20 June 2026.
What are the ways to get between Nanu Oya and Nuwara Eliya?
| Option | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuk-tuk | Hire one at the station or ask your hotel to book one. Agree the fare first | Couples, light bags | Open sides, cold in the early morning |
| Taxi or ride app car | Book ahead, or ask your hotel | Families, big bags, rain | Book early for the 9.00 am train |
| Hotel pickup | Ask your hotel if it can send a car | First-time visitors | Confirm the train number and time |
| Local bus | Buses run on the main road between the two | Tight budgets, light bags | No timetable we could verify on 19 October 2026 |
We found no official fixed fare for tuk-tuks or taxis on this route on 19 October 2026, so we don't quote one. Ask your hotel what a fair price is before you arrive.
When should you leave Nuwara Eliya for the train?
Aim to be on the platform 30 minutes before departure, so you have time to find your carriage. These leave-by times assume a 30-minute transfer plus a 30-minute buffer. Departure times are from Sri Lanka Railways' timetable from 20 June 2026 (SLR notice, PDF).
| Train | Runs | Leaves Nanu Oya | Leave Nuwara Eliya by | Reaches Ella |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1005 | Daily | 9.00 am | about 8.00 am | 11.27 am |
| 1043 Ella Odyssey | Wednesdays only | 1.00 pm | about 12.00 pm | 3.21 pm |
| 1015 | Not Wednesdays | 2.30 pm | about 1.30 pm | 4.57 pm |
Times can change and hill trains often run late. Confirm on the Sri Lanka Railways 1971 line or at the station.
What time do trains from Ella arrive at Nanu Oya?
If you are coming from Ella and staying in Nuwara Eliya, these are the arrival times in the same notice:
| Train | Runs | Leaves Ella | Arrives Nanu Oya | Time on train |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1044 Ella Odyssey | Wednesdays only | 8.43 am | 11.29 am | 2 h 46 min |
| 1016 | Not Wednesdays | 9.52 am | 12.16 pm | 2 h 24 min |
| 1006 | Daily | 3.52 pm | 6.06 pm | 2 h 14 min |
The 1006 arrives around dusk, and Nuwara Eliya gets cold in the evening. Book your transfer before you leave Ella, so a driver is waiting.
Which stations are between Nanu Oya and Ella?
Train 1005 stops at these stations, per the June 2026 notice:
| Station | Train 1005 | Train 1015 (not Wed) |
|---|---|---|
| Nanu Oya | 9.00 am | 2.30 pm |
| Ambewela | 9.30 am | 3.00 pm |
| Pattipola | 9.38 am | 3.08 pm |
| Ohiya | 9.53 am | 3.23 pm |
| Idalgashinna | 10.12 am | 3.42 pm |
| Haputale | 10.28 am | 3.58 pm |
| Diyatalawa | 10.40 am | 4.10 pm |
| Bandarawela | 10.56 am | 4.26 pm |
| Ella | 11.27 am | 4.57 pm |
If you want a quieter stop than Ella, Haputale and Bandarawela are both on this line. Horton Plains National Park is also in this part of the hill country.
Can you reach Nanu Oya by train from Kandy or Colombo?
Not as of 19 October 2026. The Department of Railways said on 2 October 2026 that trains from Colombo run to Peradeniya and Gampola, that Nawalapitiya to Hatton was running, and that Gampola to Nawalapitiya and Hatton to Nanu Oya were still under repair (Colombo Times). The railway's media notices page showed no notice reopening those sections on 19 October 2026.
So the usual plan is a car from Kandy to Nanu Oya or Nuwara Eliya, then the train onward. Our Colombo to Kandy train guide and Kandy to Ella train guide explain the closed sections.
What weather should you expect at Nanu Oya and Nuwara Eliya?
Nuwara Eliya has a WMO weather station. These are its 1991 to 2020 normals (NOAA archive of WMO normals):
| Months | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar | 19.9 to 22.3 C | 10.2 to 10.8 C | 72 to 116 mm a month, the driest stretch |
| Apr to Sep | 18.6 to 22.5 C | 11.9 to 13.8 C | 132 to 172 mm a month |
| Oct to Dec | 19.4 to 19.8 C | 11.5 to 12.6 C | 183 to 247 mm a month, October the wettest |
Mornings are the coldest time, so pack a jacket in your day bag for the 8.00 am transfer. On 18 October 2026 the NBRI landslide warning listed four Nuwara Eliya District divisions at Level 2 (Amber): Hanguranketha, Mathurata, Walapane and Nildandahinna, with Ambagamuwa at Level 1 (NBRI warning, 18 Oct 2026). Check the newest warning before a road day.
Should you stay in Nuwara Eliya or near Ella?
If you are deciding between the two hill bases, our Ella vs Nuwara Eliya guide compares them. For booking the train itself, see our train booking and prices guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nanu Oya from Nuwara Eliya?
About 7.8 km by road from the Nuwara Eliya post office to Nanu Oya station, roughly 10 minutes with no traffic on an OpenStreetMap route checked on 19 October 2026. Allow 20 to 30 minutes in practice for hill traffic, finding a vehicle and getting to the platform.
Does Nuwara Eliya have a train station?
No. Nuwara Eliya town is not on the railway. The station that serves it is Nanu Oya, 207.06 km from Colombo Fort on the main line. Book your train to or from Nanu Oya and arrange a road transfer to your hotel.
How do I get from Nanu Oya station to Nuwara Eliya?
By tuk-tuk, taxi or ride app car, or by local bus. Agree any tuk-tuk fare before you get in, or ask your hotel to send a car. We found no official fixed fare for this transfer on 19 October 2026.
What time should I leave Nuwara Eliya for the train to Ella?
Aim to reach Nanu Oya 30 minutes before departure. For train 1005 at 9.00 am, leave Nuwara Eliya by about 8.00 am. For train 1015 at 2.30 pm (not Wednesdays), leave by about 1.30 pm. For the Ella Odyssey at 1.00 pm on Wednesdays, leave by about 12.00 pm.
What time does the train from Ella reach Nanu Oya?
In Sri Lanka Railways' timetable from 20 June 2026, train 1016 (not Wednesdays) reaches Nanu Oya at 12.16 pm, train 1006 (daily) at 6.06 pm, and the Ella Odyssey 1044 (Wednesdays only) at 11.29 am. Confirm on the 1971 railway line before you travel.
Can I take a train from Kandy or Colombo to Nanu Oya?
Not as of 19 October 2026. Trains from Colombo stop at Peradeniya and Gampola, and the section from Hatton to Nanu Oya is still under repair. Travel by road to Nanu Oya or Nuwara Eliya, then use the train from Nanu Oya towards Ella.
How cold is Nuwara Eliya in the morning?
Cool. On the WMO 1991 to 2020 normals for the Nuwara Eliya station, average lows are about 10 to 14 C (50 to 57 F) all year, lowest in January and February at about 10 C. Bring a warm layer for an early tuk-tuk ride to the station.
Can I book Nanu Oya trains online?
Yes. Sri Lanka Railways' June 2026 notice says first-class (air-conditioned) and second-class seats on the Nanu Oya to Badulla trains can be reserved on seatreservation.railway.gov.lk. The site opens bookings 30 days ahead.
Sources
Last verified 2026-10-19
- https://www.railway.gov.lk/web/images/news/bandulla-nanuoya-sin1.pdf
- https://www.railway.gov.lk/web/index.php?Itemid=241&id=60&lang=en&option=com_content&view=category
- https://www.railway.gov.lk/web/images/pdf/Ticket_Price_Line/main_line/1_fot.pdf
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/faq
- https://colombotimes.net/train-services-to-peradeniya-and-gampola-will-resume-from-fridayoct-2/
- https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/SriLanka/CSV/
- https://www.dmc.gov.lk/images/dmcreports/Landslide_EW_Report_at_1800hrs_on_2026__1792328311.pdf
- https://www.openstreetmap.org/
Covered in this guide
Nanu Oya to Ella Train
Nuwara Eliya
Ella
Ella or Nuwara Eliya?
The Kandy to Ella Train
Sri Lanka train booking and prices
Scenic Rail Journeys
Related guides
All guides
Colombo to Kandy train
Trains from Colombo Fort run to Peradeniya and Gampola, but not into Kandy station, because the Peradeniya Black Bridge is still being restored. Times, fares, booking rules and the short last leg to Kandy, checked on 19 October 2026.
Ella or Nuwara Eliya?
Choose Ella for an itinerary centred on Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge; choose Nuwara Eliya when Horton Plains is the priority.
Kandy to Ella by Road
With no Kandy to Ella train running (checked 19 October 2026), go by road: a hired car or taxi, a bus, or road to Nanu Oya then the open Nanu Oya–Ella train. Official bus fare checked.