← Older revision
Revision as of 05:30, 25 November 2016
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==Get in==
==Get in==
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You can get to Kandy by train, bus, taxi, minivan or plane.
===By train===
===By train===
[[File:Colombo Kandy.JPG|thumb|280px|right|The train ride from Colombo to Kandy]]
[[File:Colombo Kandy.JPG|thumb|280px|right|The train ride from Colombo to Kandy]]
From [[Colombo]] - Intercity express train are hassle free and scenic, 2.5 hours. Reservation are needed for these trains, it can be done just before the departure depending on the period but is best done in advance especially if you are travelling on a weekend or holiday. There is a great observation saloon (first class) in this particular train. Other trains are overly crowded and late. The trip from [[Colombo]] costs 220 LKR in second class. First class tickets are 1,250 LKR each way.
From [[Colombo]] - Intercity express train are hassle free and scenic, 2.5 hours. Reservation are needed for these trains, it can be done just before the departure depending on the period but is best done in advance especially if you are travelling on a weekend or holiday. There is a great observation saloon (first class) in this particular train. Other trains are overly crowded and late. The trip from [[Colombo]] costs 220 LKR in second class. First class tickets are 1,250 LKR each way.
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The train line goes further to [[Badulla]], passing on its way [[Nuwara Eliya]] (Nanu Oya station from where one needs to take a short bus or tuk-tuk ride to Nuwara Eliya proper). It's possible to buy a 1st class ticket for a train with observation car.
If you are in [[Negombo]] you will have to take some bus, taxi or tuk-tuk to some of the cities where the Main Line train goes to Kandy [[Ragama]], [[Gampaha]] or [[Veyangoda]], on the trip you will see the '''Bible Rock''', which resembles the more famous [[Sigiriya]] citadel located more north of it.
If you are in [[Negombo]] you will have to take some bus, taxi or tuk-tuk to some of the cities where the Main Line train goes to Kandy [[Ragama]], [[Gampaha]] or [[Veyangoda]], on the trip you will see the '''Bible Rock''', which resembles the more famous [[Sigiriya]] citadel located more north of it.
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===By bus===
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* From Colombo '''[http://www.sltb.lk/route_time.php Bus No.1]''', more than 70 per day, 3 ¼ hours.
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{{listing
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| name=Kandy Train Station | alt= | url= | email=
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| address= | lat=7.28944 | long=80.63237 | directions=1 km SW of city center
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| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
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| hours= | price=
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| lastedit=2016-11-25
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| content=Train schedule can be found at [http://eservices.railway.gov.lk/schedule/searchTrain.action?lang=en Sri Lankan Railways website].
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}}
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* '''Intercity air-conditioned
bus
''' (from Colombo) is the next best option to the train. If you are female and travelling alone it is best to either sit next to another female or try to sit as close to the conductor as possible (i.e. up front) to avoid any unnecessary surprises.
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===By
bus
===
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From '''Colombo''' take [http://www.sltb.lk/route_time.php bus #1], more than 70 per day, 3 ¼ hours. Alternatively get on Intercity air-conditioned bus from Colombo, which is the next best option to the train. If you are female and travelling alone it is best to either sit next to another female or try to sit as close to the conductor as possible (i.e. up front) to avoid any unnecessary surprises.
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*
'''
Bus
from
the
airport'''.
Take
the
free
shuttle
bus
to the bus terminal, where the friendly locals will direct you to the bus to Kandy
(
3.
5h
, 150 LKR as of
January
2013).
+
'''
From
the
Colombo
airport'''.
Walk
or
take
a
tuktuk
to the bus terminal, where the friendly locals will direct you to the bus to Kandy
,
3.
5 h
, 150 LKR
(
as of
Jan
2013).
−
From Dambulla bus station
,
you'll
get the
direct
bus
for
Kandy. No train run on this route. A non-air-con bus will cost you Rs. 100 and take some 3 hours. Air-conditioned buses are also available on this route but they stop only briefly in Dambulla and they usually stop somewhere outside the bus station.
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From
'''[[
Dambulla
]]'''
bus station
there
are
direct
bused
to
Kandy. No train run on this route. A non-air-con bus will cost you Rs. 100 and take some 3 hours. Air-conditioned buses are also available on this route but they stop only briefly in Dambulla and they usually stop somewhere outside the bus station.
===By taxi===
===By taxi===
Line 29:
Line 29:
===By hired mini-vans===
===By hired mini-vans===
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Hired mini-vans with a driver are available from Colombo through travel agencies and hotel concierges. The road to Kandy is astonishingly chaotic and frightening even for seasoned travellers. Be prepared for a long slow slog in traffic, or, if your driver decides to make the journey at a more practical speed, a hair-raising adventure replete with passing around blind corners and games of chicken with the ubiquitous intercity buses. A day trip from Mt. Lavinia to Kandy, including seeing the sights in Kandy, costs around LKR 10,000
[
May 2011
]
.
+
Hired mini-vans with a driver are available from Colombo through travel agencies and hotel concierges. The road to Kandy is astonishingly chaotic and frightening even for seasoned travellers. Be prepared for a long slow slog in traffic, or, if your driver decides to make the journey at a more practical speed, a hair-raising adventure replete with passing around blind corners and games of chicken with the ubiquitous intercity buses. A day trip from Mt. Lavinia to Kandy, including seeing the sights in Kandy, costs around LKR 10,000
(
May 2011
)
.
===By air===
===By air===
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'''[http://www.srilankan.aero/airtaxi Air Taxi]''' (from Colombo) is the latest option to travel to Kandy. The De Havilland Twin Otter float planes operated by Sri Lankan Airlines leave Colombo at 09:00 (currently from Kelani River) and touch down at Mahaweli River in Polgolla, Kandy at 09:30 The travel time between Colombo and Kandy is just 30 minutes. It costs
Rs.
4
,
900
one-way fare and Rs. 9,800 for a return
.
+
'''[http://www.srilankan.aero/airtaxi Air Taxi]''' (from Colombo) is the latest option to travel to Kandy. The De Havilland Twin Otter float planes operated by Sri Lankan Airlines leave Colombo at 09:00 (currently from Kelani River) and touch down at Mahaweli River in Polgolla, Kandy at 09:30 The travel time between Colombo and Kandy is just 30 minutes. It costs
LKR
25
,
000
(2016)
.
==Get around==
==Get around==
Line 40:
Line 40:
'''Walking''' is also recommended - the centre is not that large - as a way of seeing temples, shops, shopping area and other sights around the lake. You can visit the Temple of the Tooth by on foot as well but you'll have to ask for directions.
'''Walking''' is also recommended - the centre is not that large - as a way of seeing temples, shops, shopping area and other sights around the lake. You can visit the Temple of the Tooth by on foot as well but you'll have to ask for directions.
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There are plenty of '''suburban buses''' that pass through the city center.
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==See==
==See==