5★Flight
Flight + ≈ 3 h road
CCU → CMB, with a change; check schedules
Airport
CMB
Bandaranaike International Airport
Best time
January to April
check the season before booking
Stay
3 to 4 nights
+2 for the hill country
Country
Sri Lanka
check entry rules
There is normally no non-stop flight from Kolkata to Sri Lanka, so you fly from CCU to Bandaranaike International Airport with a change at a hub, then take roughly three hours by road or train to Kandy. Check schedules before booking. Stay by Kandy Lake, in the city centre or at Peradeniya. Allow three or four nights, and travel between January and April.
Getting from Kolkata to Kandy
By air
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) serves Colombo and the hill country, north of the city near Katunayake. From Kolkata (CCU) there is normally no non-stop service; journeys route through a hub in the Gulf, South East Asia or India, and total travelling time varies with the connection. Confirm routing, terminal and baggage rules with the airline before booking, and check the airport's own site for current terminal arrangements.
On arrival, the road to Kandy climbs from the coastal plain into the hills, and the last stretch is slow and winding. A train runs from Colombo Fort to Kandy through plantations and is worth considering if the timing suits; seats on reserved carriages go quickly. Check Sri Lanka Railways for current timetables. Allow roughly three hours by road, longer in traffic or rain.
Other options
Flying is the practical option. There is no reasonable rail or road link from Kolkata to Sri Lanka, and the Bay of Bengal separates the two. Ferries are not a scheduled way to cross. So the journey is a flight from CCU to Bandaranaike International Airport with a change, followed by roughly three hours by road or train up to Kandy.
Where to stay in Kandy
Kandy Lake
The quietest choice, with walks around the water and the Temple of the Tooth a short walk away. Suits travellers who want evenings by the lake and unhurried mornings.
City centre
Close to the clock tower, the market and the bus stands. Useful for early starts, day trips and anyone arriving by train who wants to walk to a room.
Peradeniya
A university suburb west of Kandy, near the botanic gardens and the rail line. Suits longer stays, garden lovers and travellers who prefer calm to the town's traffic.
Top things to do in Kandy
- Temple of the Tooth: The Sri Dalada Maligawa holds a tooth relic of the Buddha and is Kandy's central shrine. Dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees, and visit at the evening puja.
- Kandy Lake walk: A path circles the lake built by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha in 1807. Early morning is cool and quiet, with birds and views to the hills.
- Royal Botanic Gardens: Formal lawns, giant fig trees and an orchid house at Peradeniya, about 5 km from town. Allow half a day and go early to avoid the heat.
- Esala Perahera: A ten-day procession of decorated elephants, dancers and drummers, usually in July or August. Check the current year's dates with the temple authorities.
- Bahiravokanda Buddha statue: A large seated Buddha on a hill above town, reached by steps. The terrace gives a wide view over the lake and the surrounding ridges.
- Udawattakele forest reserve: A wooded reserve behind the temple, with paths and birdlife. Cool, shaded and usually uncrowded, and easy to reach from the centre.
- Tea country visits: Plantations around Kandy and further up towards Nuwara Eliya. A factory visit explains picking, rolling and firing, with tastings at the end.
- Kandy to Ella by train: A famous hill-country rail run through tea gardens and viaducts. Reserve seats ahead and check Sri Lanka Railways for current times.
- Kandyan dance performance: Evening shows in town present drumming, dance and fire walking. A short, staged introduction to local performance, lasting about an hour.
- Central Market: Fruit, vegetables, spices and household goods under one roof. Good for seeing everyday shopping rather than souvenirs, and busiest in the morning.
Three days in Kandy
- Day 1: lake and temple: Settle in, walk the path around Kandy Lake, then visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja. Eat early and rest; the altitude and the winding road take a little out of you.
- Day 2: gardens and hills: Morning at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, then the Bahiravokanda statue for the view. Check whether the temple is busy on holidays and plan around it.
- Day 3: tea and trains: A day trip to a tea factory, or a rail journey into the hill country towards Nuwara Eliya and Ella. Short on time, take a morning train out and return the same day, confirming times with Sri Lanka Railways.
Add two or three days for Nuwara Eliya, Ella or a slow train south. Colombo and the coast are a half-day away by road.
Best time to visit Kandy
January to April is the recommended window, with drier weather and cooler evenings in the hills. Rain can fall at any time of year in the highlands, so carry a light layer and a compact umbrella. The Esala Perahera, Kandy's big procession, falls in July or August. Check the current year's dates with the temple authorities before planning around it, and check the forecast with the Department of Meteorology.
Getting around Kandy
- Walking: The lake path, the temple and the market are close enough to cover on foot, though pavements are uneven.
- Three-wheelers: Auto-rickshaws, called tuk-tuks locally, cover short hops. Agree the fare before setting off and keep small notes ready.
- Train: Sri Lanka Railways serves Peradeniya and the hill country from Kandy station. Check timetables on the day and arrive early.
Kandy vs Kolkata: what feels different
Kandy is small and hill-ringed where Kolkata is flat and vast. Traffic is lighter, the air cooler, and evenings go quiet early. Food shifts from Bengali fish and rice to rice and curry, hoppers and strong tea, with plenty of vegetarian options. Sinhala and Tamil replace Bengali, though English is widely spoken. Kandy feels unhurried, but religious sites ask for modest dress.
Before you go
- Entry: Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation or visa for Sri Lanka. Rules have changed several times, so check the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration before travel.
- Money: The Sri Lankan rupee is the currency. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets, temples and three-wheelers.
- Dress: Temples require covered shoulders and knees, and shoes off before shrines. A light scarf and socks help on hot stone.
- Water and health: Drink bottled or filtered water and take the usual precautions in the hills. Check any vaccination advice with a doctor before travel.
Hotels in Kandy
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Kandy’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★Fox Kandy by Fox Resorts Luxury in the Mist
≈ 2 km from City centre, Kandy · 5-starGuest score 4.7/5 · 825 reviewsSee live price
5★Earl's Regency Hotel
≈ 3 km from Kandy Lake, Kandy · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 7590 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★
5★
4★Amaya Hills Kandy
≈ 3 km from Peradeniya, Kandy · 4-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 6518 reviewsSee live price
4★Earl's Regent Kandy
≈ 2 km from Peradeniya, Kandy · 4-starGuest score 4.4/5 · 2788 reviewsSee live price
4★Le leopard d 'argent
≈ 3 km from Peradeniya, Kandy · 4-starGuest score 4.2/5 · 142 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
How do you get from Kolkata to Kandy?
Fly from Kolkata (CCU) to Bandaranaike International Airport, then travel roughly three hours by road or train up to Kandy. There is normally no non-stop flight, so expect a change at a hub. Check routes and times with the airline before booking.
Is there a direct flight from Kolkata to Sri Lanka?
Normally no. Services route through a hub in the Gulf, South East Asia or elsewhere in India, so total journey time varies with the connection. Confirm the routing with the airline and check the airport's own site before booking. Allow most of a day for the journey.
When is the best time to visit Kandy from Kolkata?
January to April suits most travellers, with drier weather and cooler hill evenings. Rain is possible in any month. The Esala Perahera falls in July or August, so check the current year's dates with the temple authorities before planning around it.
Where should you stay in Kandy?
Three areas work well. Kandy Lake suits quiet evenings and walks, the city centre suits the market, station and early starts, and Peradeniya suits the botanic gardens and a calmer base. Choose by how much you plan to cover on foot.
How many days do you need in Kandy?
Three or four nights covers the temple, the lake, the botanic gardens and a tea factory without rushing. Add two or three days for Nuwara Eliya, Ella or the hill-country train. Confirm train times with Sri Lanka Railways on the day.
What should you wear at the Temple of the Tooth?
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats before shrines, and keep voices low. The temple is an active place of worship, not only a sight. A light scarf and socks are useful, and photography rules vary by area, so follow staff instructions.
Can you reach Kandy by train from Colombo?
Yes. Trains from Colombo Fort climb through plantations to Kandy, with the last stretch slow and scenic. Reserved seats sell out, so book ahead and check Sri Lanka Railways for current timetables before planning the day around a departure.
Is Kandy worth visiting from Kolkata?
Yes, if you want hills, temples and tea country within a short trip. The lake, the Temple of the Tooth and the Peradeniya gardens fill three days comfortably, and the town pairs well with Colombo, Nuwara Eliya or the coast. Check entry rules before booking.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.