Major city · Sri Lanka
Bandarawela
Use Bandarawela as a quiet base for the Uva highlands: one night is enough to see the town, two if you want day walks to Haputale or Ella.
Bandarawela is a mid-altitude town in the Uva Province, 50 km east of Nuwara Eliya. It has a cooler climate than the coast, a few colonial-era buildings and easy bus or train connections to Haputale, Ella and Badulla. Most travellers use it as a stopover on the hill-country loop rather than a destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Jan–Apr, Aug–Sep
- avoid May–Jul (southwest monsoon, heavy rain)
- Airport
- CMB
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bandarawela119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bandarawela, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?LKR in small notes for tuk-tuks, buses, tea and entry tickets.Sri Lanka-wide
- SIM or eSIMDialog, Mobitel (SLT-Mobitel) and Hutch sell tourist SIMs at the airport; passport required.Sri Lanka-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Sri Lanka-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Nothing extra if 10% service is on the bill; otherwise 10%.Sri Lanka-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sri Lanka-wide
- SafetyBandarawela is safe; petty crime is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants, with a hose; squat toilets in bus stations.Sri Lanka-wide
- Emergency numbers119 police · 1990 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPoya (full moon) days close bars and liquor shops and stop meat sales; many sites close on the day of a Perahera procession…Sri Lanka-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMB Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) (About 6 h by bus or 8–9 h by train).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk within townRs 200–400
- Metro or bus rideShort train ride (Bandarawela–Ella, 3rd class)Rs 40–80
- Budget bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomLKR 3,000
- Mid-range bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomLKR 6,000
- High-end bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomLKR 10,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 4,000 · Mid LKR 8,000 · High LKR 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) (About 6 h by bus or 8–9 h by train)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Jan–Apr, Aug–Sep. Avoid: May–Jul. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Oct (17 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bandarawela: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
16 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
15 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
17 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
16 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre. For Haputale or Ella, take the bus or train; tuk-tuks are available for short trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train (about 1 h) or bus (about 45 min)
Ella has walks, the Nine Arch Bridge and tea factories.
Haputale
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or train (about 30 min)
Lipton's Seat viewpoint and tea plantations.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Train (1.5 h) or bus (about 1 h)
End of the hill-country line; Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus via Welimada (about 2 h)
Tea country, Horton Plains and colonial architecture.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Near the bus stand and railway station; most hotels and guest houses.
Diyatalawa
About 5 km (3.1 mi) west; quieter, with a few guest houses.About 3.1 mi (5 km) west; quieter, with a few guest houses.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rs 3,000–6,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 6,000–12,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guest house double room1 × 1 night × LKR 6,000 | LKR 6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LKR 8,000 | LKR 16,000 |
| Train from Colombo to Bandarawela, 2nd class2 × LKR 480 · check | LKR 960 |
| Bus from Bandarawela to Ella2 × LKR 100 · check | LKR 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 2,320 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 12,740 per person per day, bed included | LKR 25,480 |
2026 estimate in Sri Lankan rupees; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Rice and curry meal | Rs 300–600 |
| Short train ride (Bandarawela–Ella, 3rd class) | Rs 40–80 |
| Tuk-tuk within town | Rs 200–400 |
| Cup of tea | Rs 50–100 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train schedules change: check at the station the day before.
- The hill-country road from Nuwara Eliya via Welimada can be slow in rain.
- Some guest houses have no online booking; call ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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BandarawelaBandarawela
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
මෙම ලිපිනයට කරුණාකරTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance1990
- Fire110
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Bandarawela → Ella, 3rd class: about Rs 40–80, about 1 h (check)
- Bus Bandarawela → Haputale: about Rs 50–100, about 30 min (check)
Say or show
- ආයුබෝවන් — Hello (ayubowan)
- ස්තුතියි — Thank you (sthuthiyi)
- කීයද? — How much? (kiyada)
- බස් නැවතුම කොහෙද? — Where is the bus stop? (bas navathuma koheda)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bandarawela. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Apr, Aug–Sep · avoid May–Jul (southwest monsoon, heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bandarawela
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