Overview

A Kandy day trip from Hikkaduwa is one of the most rewarding excursions available to international travellers staying on Sri Lanka's southern coast. Covering roughly 220 kilometres each way, the journey takes you from the breezy beach resort town of Hikkaduwa up through emerald tea-covered hills to Kandy — Sri Lanka's cultural capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Whether you're a solo backpacker, a couple, or a family of four, this day trip can be tailored to your pace and budget, and it delivers an astonishing contrast to the laid-back surf life of the coast.

In This Guide

Kandy sits at around 500 metres above sea level in the central highlands, and the drive alone is a highlight — winding roads reveal rubber plantations, spice gardens, and river valleys before the city appears in a natural bowl surrounding its famous lake. Most travellers combine the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, an elephant sanctuary visit, and a stroll along Kandy Lake into a single action-packed day. With good planning, all of this is comfortably achievable as a day trip from Hikkaduwa, returning to your beach accommodation by evening.

Top Highlights

Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)

This is the centrepiece of any Kandy visit. The sacred Buddhist temple houses what is believed to be a tooth relic of the Buddha, making it one of the most venerated sites in all of Asia. The complex is beautifully decorated, especially during the evening puja (offering) ceremonies held at around 6:30 am, 9:30 am, and 6:30 pm. Dress modestly — shoulders and knees must be covered — and remove your shoes before entering. Photography is permitted in most outer areas. Budget travellers should know that the entrance fee for foreign visitors is approximately USD 15 per adult (around LKR 5,000).

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens

Just a short tuk-tuk ride from central Kandy, the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens span over 60 hectares and contain more than 4,000 species of plants, including a spectacular avenue of royal palms and a giant Javan fig tree. This is an excellent stop for families with children. Entrance fees are around USD 15 for foreign visitors. Allow at least 90 minutes to explore comfortably.

Ethical Elephant Experiences

Many travellers ask about elephant encounters near Kandy. The most important advice from experienced travellers is to skip Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and instead seek out smaller, more ethical sanctuaries nearby where elephants roam more freely. Look for places that allow you to observe elephants bathing in the river rather than riding them. Elephant riding is widely discouraged by responsible travel advocates and most reputable sanctuaries in the region no longer offer it. Bathing and observation experiences can be arranged locally, often for USD 20–40 per person depending on the programme.

Note: Avoid elephant riding experiences. Responsible travellers recommend observing or bathing with elephants at smaller ethical sanctuaries near Kandy rather than large commercial parks. Always ask the operator about their animal welfare practices before booking.

Kandy Lake and City Centre

The artificial lake at the heart of Kandy was built in 1807 and remains a beautiful place to stroll, especially in the early morning or late afternoon light. The surrounding streets are lined with colonial-era buildings, gem shops, spice stalls, and local restaurants serving excellent rice and curry lunches for as little as USD 2–4. A walk around the lake takes about 30–45 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Kandy Cultural Show

If your schedule allows you to stay until early evening, the nightly Kandyan cultural dance and drumming show (usually starting around 5:00–5:30 pm) is worth attending. Venues near the lake offer performances featuring traditional dances, fire-walking, and acrobatics. Tickets are typically USD 10–12 per person.

How to Get There from Hikkaduwa

By Private Car or Taxi

The most comfortable and time-efficient option for a day trip is to hire a private car or taxi for the full day. A driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hikkaduwa, take you to each attraction in Kandy at your own pace, wait while you explore, and return you to the coast in the evening. This is especially recommended for families, couples, or small groups of three to four people. Expect to pay approximately USD 70–100 for a full-day hire depending on the vehicle type and negotiation. Splitting this between a group of four makes it extremely affordable.

Many travellers successfully find a reliable driver through their hotel or guesthouse. Always agree on the full itinerary, price, and whether fuel and parking are included before you depart. The journey takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way depending on traffic and road conditions.

Tip: Book your private driver the evening before your trip — not the morning of. This gives you time to confirm the price, agree on the itinerary, and ensure the driver knows all the stops you want to include, such as a spice garden en route or a specific elephant sanctuary.

By Bus from Hikkaduwa

Budget-conscious travellers can reach Kandy by bus, though this requires patience and an early start. From Hikkaduwa, take a local bus to Galle bus station (approximately LKR 160 for a direct bus, or LKR 172 in two legs — LKR 63 to Galle plus LKR 109 onward). From Galle, board an intercity bus to Kandy. Total travel time each way can be 4–5 hours. This option is best suited to independent travellers without a tight schedule and is not ideal for day trips with young children.

By Organised Tour

If you prefer a guided experience, many Hikkaduwa guesthouses and tour operators offer organised day trips to Kandy that include a local English-speaking guide, transport, and entrance fees bundled together. Group tours are harder to arrange outside peak season, so individual private tours are a more reliable option. Prices for a guided private day tour start at approximately USD 80–120 per person, depending on inclusions.

By Train

Hikkaduwa does not have a direct train connection to Kandy — you would need to travel first to Colombo Fort station and then board the Kandy line. This makes the train impractical for a single day trip from Hikkaduwa. However, if you have flexibility in your itinerary and want to break the journey with a night in Colombo, the Colombo-to-Kandy train is a scenic and highly recommended experience in its own right.

Best Time to Visit

Kandy can be visited year-round, which makes it an ideal day trip destination regardless of when you're staying in Hikkaduwa. The city sits in a rain shadow and often enjoys clear weather even when the southern coast is overcast. However, the most spectacular time to visit is during the Esala Perahera festival, usually held in July or August, when the city comes alive with one of the grandest processions in all of Asia — decorated elephants, fire dancers, and traditional drummers parade through the streets for ten consecutive nights.

The period from December to April is generally the best time to be based in Hikkaduwa, as the southwest coast enjoys dry, sunny weather. This is also a comfortable time to make the Kandy day trip, with pleasant temperatures in the highlands. Avoid planning your trip on Sri Lankan public holidays or poya (full moon) days, when the Temple of the Tooth can become extremely crowded.

Info: Kandy is a year-round destination, but if you're visiting in July or August, try to time your day trip to coincide with the Esala Perahera festival — one of the most spectacular religious processions in Asia. Book your private transfer well in advance during this period, as demand for drivers rises sharply.

Practical Tips

  • Start early. Leave Hikkaduwa by 6:00–7:00 am to maximise your time in Kandy and avoid the midday heat on the return journey.
  • Dress appropriately. Bring a light scarf or sarong to cover shoulders and knees at the Temple of the Tooth. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
  • Carry cash. Many smaller stalls, local restaurants, and some entrance booths near Kandy prefer cash. ATMs are available in central Kandy, but it's wise to carry Sri Lankan rupees from Hikkaduwa.
  • Hydration. The highland climate can feel deceptively cool, but you will walk considerable distances. Carry at least 1.5 litres of bottled water per person. Large 19-litre refill dispensers are available in Hikkaduwa supermarkets if you want to fill reusable bottles before departure.
  • Negotiate everything upfront. Whether it's a tuk-tuk within Kandy or entrance to a spice garden, agree on the price before you commit. This avoids misunderstandings and makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
  • Combine with a spice garden stop. Many drivers will suggest stopping at a spice garden en route between Hikkaduwa and Kandy. These can be genuinely interesting and free to enter (the model is based on hoping you buy products), but be prepared for a sales pitch. Budget 30–45 minutes if you want to stop.
  • Lunch in Kandy. The area around Kandy Lake has numerous local restaurants serving excellent rice and curry. A hearty Sri Lankan lunch costs USD 2–5 per person at a local eatery. This is significantly cheaper than tourist-facing restaurants near the temple.
  • Plan elephant visits carefully. Research your chosen sanctuary in advance. The best ethical experiences allow you to watch and sometimes help bathe elephants in a river setting. These are genuinely unforgettable and do not involve riding or performances.

Costs at a Glance

  • Private car hire (full day, Hikkaduwa–Kandy return): USD 70–100
  • Temple of the Tooth entrance: approx. USD 15 per adult
  • Peradeniya Botanical Gardens entrance: approx. USD 15 per adult
  • Ethical elephant experience: USD 20–40 per person
  • Kandyan cultural show: USD 10–12 per person
  • Local rice and curry lunch: USD 2–5 per person
  • Tuk-tuk rides within Kandy: USD 1–3 per trip
  • Budget estimate (per person in a group of 4, private car): USD 60–90 all-in
  • Solo traveller total (private car + all entrances): USD 120–160

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an elephant sanctuary near Kandy I can visit independently by taxi from Hikkaduwa?

Yes — several ethical elephant sanctuaries operate within 30–60 minutes of central Kandy and can be reached by private taxi or tuk-tuk. Ask your driver to take you to a sanctuary where you can observe or assist with elephant bathing rather than riding. Experienced travellers strongly recommend skipping large commercial parks and choosing smaller sanctuaries focused on elephant welfare. Your hotel in Hikkaduwa can usually recommend a reputable operator.

How long does the journey from Hikkaduwa to Kandy take?

By private car, the journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way, depending on traffic and road conditions. Buses via Galle can take 4–5 hours each way, making an early start essential. Leave Hikkaduwa no later than 7:00 am to make the most of your day in Kandy.

What is the cheapest way to get from Hikkaduwa to Kandy?

The cheapest option is by bus. Take a local bus from Hikkaduwa to Galle (LKR 160 direct, or LKR 172 with one change), then an intercity bus from Galle to Kandy. Total bus fares are very low, but the journey is long and requires an extremely early start. For groups of three or four, a shared private taxi often works out similarly affordable with far greater comfort and flexibility.

Do tours still run to Kandy outside of peak season?

Group tours can be difficult to arrange outside peak season as there are fewer travellers to fill them. However, individual private tours and private car hires operate year-round and are not dependent on group numbers. If you're travelling during quieter months, plan on booking a private driver rather than waiting for a group departure.

What should I wear when visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy?

All visitors must cover their shoulders and knees before entering the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Shoes must be removed. Bring a light sarong or scarf in your day bag — these can also be purchased or borrowed near the temple entrance. Light, breathable clothing is recommended as queues can form in the heat.