The nearest airport to Nuwara Eliya is the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), located in Colombo. It serves as the international gateway for travelers coming to Sri Lanka. Once you arrive in Colombo, you can choose between road transport or a domestic flight to get closer to Nuwara Eliya.
From Colombo, you can rent a car or hire a taxi to get to Nuwara Eliya. The journey takes approximately 5-6 hours depending on traffic conditions. There are also public buses available, which are a more economical option but can take longer due to frequent stops.
Taking the train is a scenic and popular choice. Board a train from Colombo to Nanu Oya, the nearest train station to Nuwara Eliya, which is about 8 km away from the town center. Trains take roughly 6-7 hours and offer stunning views of the countryside and tea plantations. From Nanu Oya, you can take a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride to reach Nuwara Eliya.
For a faster route, you can take a domestic flight from the Ratmalana Airport to the nearest airstrip, which is the Gregory Lake airport in Nuwara Eliya. This service is subject to availability and weather conditions.
