Kandy
Welcome to our Kandy travel guide, exploring the second largest city in Sri Lanka which is nestled in amongst rolling hills, tea plantations and a landscape of greenery and lush forests. The city gives visitors a chance to experience the wealth of nature that Sri Lanka has to offer, alongside some of the most popular attractions in the country.
The cooler air of the hilly landscape makes Kandy a refreshing break from the heat of most of Sri Lanka and even on rainy days, the city keeps buzzing while locals carry out their daily chores. As well as seeing the star attractions of Kandy, including temples and parks, the city feels very much alive and retains a working city vibe, making it a great opportunity to experience more of Sri Lanka and it’s cultural heritage.
Kandy Travel Guide Contents
Kandy Travel Guide
How to get to Kandy
Bandaranaike International Airport, often referred to as Kutanayake or Colombo International Airport (CMB) is the largest and main airport in Sri Lanka. Despite the airport being just over 100km west of Kandy, it is the only option for flying into Sri Lanka. The airport has 2 terminals, with the newer, terminal 1, serving domestic flights and the older, terminal 2, serving international flights. Terminal 2 is a little dated but does have a selection of shops and restaurants to cater to passengers. Most visitors coming to Kandy will likely come straight from the airport or from Colombo so here are the most popular ways of getting to Kandy from the airport and Colombo city:
– By Bus & Train, the Colombo Express airport bus takes you to Colombo Fort train station and from there you can catch a train to Kandy. The bus costs Rs110 ($0.55) for a one way ticket, runs from 5.30am-8.30pm and takes approx 1 hour to get to Colombo Fort Station. From here, a train to Kandy will take 2hr 30min (fastest train) and will cost anywhere between Rs200-550 ($1-$2.75), depending on class type. Trains run throughout the day but the express trains are the quickest. This is a good option for those on a budget but can be a gruelling journey if you have just arrived from a long haul flight
– Private Airport Transfer, a convenient option for most travellers to book in advance, available 24 hours, taking approx 3-4.5 hours from the airport or Colombo city. There are no waiting times as drivers will usually meet you in arrivals. Costs for the journey range from Rs8000 – Rs10,000 ($40-$50). Compare companies online or ask your accommodation for a quote
– Taxi from taxi rank, not a highly recommended option due to drivers often overcharging, you should agree a price with the driver beforehand. As a guide, a trip to Kandy from the airport should cost around Rs8000 – 12,000 ($40-$60).
– Uber/PickMe, PickMe is the largest and most popular ride-hailing app in Sri Lanka and offers tourists with a more convenient option, rather than having to haggle the price for every trip. A trip to Kandy from the airport should cost around Rs5000-8000 ($25-$40) depending on the method of transport chosen
Areas to stay in Kandy
Kandy is a very compact city and most of the tourist areas in the centre are within reasonable walking distance. There really are two main options for areas to stay in Kandy and that’s either in the central part of the city or on the outskirts. We would recommend staying central as you are within walking distance to some of the main attractions as well as restaurants, cafes and shops. Staying on the outskirts is only advisable if you are looking for a larger hotel with a pool and more facilities or if you are there specifically for an out of town attraction such as the Botanical Gardens.
Accommodation in Chania
Kandy has a great range of accommodation options to choose from. The city centre has a number of hotels, guest houses and hostels. There are also a number of apartments available in and around the city too. Although there are some hotels with pools in the city centre, the majority are further afield and have more amenities, activities and restaurants. We recommend using Booking.com to see the best choice of accommodation options in the area.
How to get around Kandy
In the main city centre of Kandy, attractions, shops and restaurants are all within walking distance, although you may choose to get a tuk-tuk home at night. If you are travelling further afield to some of the nearby attractions then you will require a form of transport to get there. Here’s a quick guide to the most useful types of transport available:
– Taxi, unfortunately drivers can often overcharge and will not use the meter so when using a taxi, agree the fare in advance
– Uber/PickMe, the PickMe app is the largest and most popular ride hailing app in Sri Lanka. In Kandy, there is good availability for drivers. Prices are shown on the app which avoids issues with overcharging. Despite inputting the drop off location in the app, it is quite common to then have to explain this further when with the driver. Even without using PickMe, using the app as a guide to taxi and tuk-tuk prices can be very useful
– Tuk Tuk, the cheapest and easiest way to get around, hail a moving tuk-tuk and agree a fare before. Alternatively, ask a member of staff in your hotel or a restaurant to call one for you
Things to do in Kandy
Most people come to Kandy to see the attractions that it has become so well known for, here are our top 5 things to see and do in Kandy:
– Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, this Buddhist temple is a world heritage site and an important temple within the country. As well as being culturally important, the temple is also politically important as it was declared that whoever houses and protects the relic is automatically given the power to rule the country. Tickets to the temple cost Rs1500 ($7.50)
– Botanical Gardens, located a 10min drive from Kandy city centre, the vast area that forms these Botanical Gardens is home to an impressive array of plant species, displayed beautifully across various gardens. The entrance fee is Rs1500 ($7.50) for adults
–Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, built in 1972, this Buddha statue is one of the largest in Sri Lanka and, as well as being a place of worship, offers panoramic views over the city of Kandy
– Kandy Lake, located next to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake is an artificial lake and was built in 1807. It is a protected lake now, and is perfect for a relaxing walk
– Kandy Three Temple Loop, the three temple loop consists of the Gadaladeniya Temple, Lankathilake Vihare and Embekke Devalaya. They are linked by a 4km long path which can be walked or driven
What to eat in Kandy
Sri Lankan food is a mix of Indian and Indonesian influences, meals are generally served up as a variety of dishes to share and enjoy with others. As a popular tourist spot, there are a range of both traditional Sri Lankan eateries in kandy as well as a growing number of international and higher end restaurants. If you want to try some of the local dishes of Kandy and Sri Lanka, then here are our top picks of the local cuisine:
– Egg Hoppers, made with fermented rice flour, coconut milk, coconut water and sugar, these crepes are fried into a bowl, with an egg cracked in
– Kottu Roti, a staple street food made with roti mixed with finely shredded vegetables, meat, soy sauce, spices, ginger and garlic. A must try!
– Dhal, usually made with coconut and lentils, amongst other ingredients, dhal is a side dish and perfect for scooping up with roti’s and breads
– Brinjal Eggplant, this heavily cooked eggplant is mixed with a variety of ingredients to make a rich, caramelised dish
– Chicken curry and rice, a staple dish of the country, Sri Lanka’s chicken curry is spicy and delicious and best served with fluffy rice
Money - Kandy Travel Costs
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs). Credit & Debit cards are accepted in higher end establishments, larger hotels and shopping malls but many small shops, hotels and restaurants will only accept cash. There are ATM’s in Kandy, spread out across the city mostly on the main streets and in the shopping centre. Some ATM’s accept foreign cards but there are some that don’t, try the next ATM if the first doesn’t work. A service charge is generally not added to the bill so you can leave a tip, if you are happy with the service. A tip of 5-10% is the norm and generally expected in Sri Lanka. Even in higher end restaurants and hotels, prices are generally quite reasonable and affordable for Western travellers. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) for:
– A local draught beer, Rs300-400 ($1.50-$2.00)
– A coffee, Rs350-450 ($1.75-$2.25)
– Kottu Roti, Rs200-600 ($1-$3)
– Budget restaurant meal, Rs200-600 ($1-$3)
– Mid-range restaurant meal, Rs1000-2000 ($5-$10)
– High-end restaurant meal, Rs3000+ ($15+)
When to go to Kandy and for how long
The best time to visit Kandy is between January and April. It will be humid at this time but there is less chance of rain. We would recommend spending 2-3 days in the city while on a larger trip exploring Sri Lanka.
Local language and phrases
The languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese and Tamil, although Sinhalese is the more widely used of the two. English is also widely spoken across the country so you should have no issues in communicating. Some useful Sri Lankan phrases in Sinhalese are:
– Hello or Goodbye – Ayubowan
– Thank you – Istuti
– Please – Karunakara
– Yes – Ow
– No – Naa
Kandy travel tips
– Kandy is a relatively safe area although travellers should exercise caution when it comes to scams, particularly tourist scams around the main attractions
– Kandy, and Sri Lanka in general, is a hot and humid country. Ensure you stay hydrated and be wary of the sun
– The tap water is not safe to drink, always drink bottled water
– The tourism industry in Sri Lanka is relatively new compared to some countries and is still developing so some areas are less developed for tourists
Kandy travel guide written in September 2021
