Colombo Airport to Nanu Oya Taxi
The railway station for Nuwara Eliya, and the start of the most photographed stretch of line in Sri Lanka.
Airport to Nanu Oya: what to expect
Nuwara Eliya has no station of its own. Nanu Oya, seven kilometres down the hill, is where the hill-country trains stop, and for a great many visitors it is the first or last thing they see of the highlands.
The section from here to Ella is the one on every postcard — tea slopes, tunnels, bridges, open doorways. Reserved seats open thirty days before departure and sell out within hours; unreserved third class is always available and is where people ride in the doorway. On a private tour we drop you at the platform with a day bag, carry the luggage down by road and meet you at the far end, which removes the only real drawback of taking the train.
Your driver meets you inside the arrivals hall with a name board, helps with luggage and SIM cards, and the price agreed on WhatsApp is final — fuel, tolls and parking are all inside it. Pay the driver on arrival in LKR, USD, EUR or GBP.
Book this transfer on WhatsAppFixed prices — Airport → Nanu Oya
Per vehicle, one way, luggage included. Rupee equivalents are LKR 30,500 and LKR 34,500. Return trips and en-route stops quoted on WhatsApp.
Get your exact price for Nanu Oya
Set your group size and we will pick the right vehicle. The WhatsApp message arrives with your details already filled in.
Worth a stop on the way
Nuwara Eliya
Fifteen minutes up the hill — tea estates, Gregory Lake and a Victorian hill station that has not quite let go.
Devon and St Clair's falls
Half an hour west on the Talawakele road, both visible from the roadside.
Colombo Airport to Nanu Oya — FAQ
Why does Nuwara Eliya use Nanu Oya station?
The line was routed through the valley rather than up to the town, so Nanu Oya at around 1,600 metres is the nearest stop — about seven kilometres and fifteen minutes by road from Nuwara Eliya itself.
How long is the train from Nanu Oya to Ella?
Roughly three and a half hours, and it contains most of the scenery people come for. The full Kandy to Ella run is six to seven hours; many travellers ride only this section.
Should I book train tickets in advance?
Reserved seats open thirty days ahead and go quickly in high season. Unreserved third class cannot be booked and is always available. Tell us early if the train matters and we will plan the vehicle around it.
Other transfers in this direction
Airport → Kitulgala
2.5 hrs · from US$ 50Airport → Peradeniya
3 hrs · from US$ 60Airport → Kandy
3 – 3.5 hrs · from US$ 65Airport → Gampola
3.5 hrs · from US$ 70Airport → Hatton
3.5 – 4 hrs · from US$ 75Airport → Nawalapitiya
3.5 hrs · from US$ 75Airport → Adam's Peak
4 – 4.5 hrs · from US$ 75Airport → Norwood
4 hrs · from US$ 80Send your flight number
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