I’m landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after 10.00 PM and need to travel to Ella the same night. Since trains and most buses won’t be running, what are my best options? Are there late-night taxis, private transfers, or overnight bus services? Any recommendations from fellow travellers who’ve done this route before would be super helpful.
3 Answers
Hi! I faced the same problem earlier this year. What I did was grab a taxi from BIA to Colombo, then took a night bus heading towards Badulla/Haputale. Buses usually leave from Colombo late, but it’s not super comfy and you’ll need to ask locals at the bus station. Once you’re in Badulla or Haputale (early morning), you can easily get a tuk-tuk or small taxi to Ella (about 1 hour). It’s more adventurous but a bit tiring if you’re not used to night buses in Sri Lanka.
Hey there, fellow traveller! I tried doing BIA → Ella in one go after a night flight and regretted it. 😅 What worked better for me was taking a taxi to Colombo (around 45 minutes to 1 hour from BIA), staying overnight near Fort Station, and then catching the morning train to Ella. The train ride is super scenic and way cheaper than a private cab. Plus, you’ll be more awake to enjoy it. If you don’t mind losing half a day, this is the chillest option.
Hey! I landed around the same time last year. Honestly, after 10 PM the public transport scene gets super quiet. Your best bet is to pre-book a taxi or arrange a private transfer from the airport straight to Ella. It’s a long ride (around 5.5–6.5 hours depending on traffic) but if you’re tired after the flight, it’s actually nice to just crash in the car and wake up in the mountains. Expect to pay around 25,000–30,000 LKR (roughly USD 80–100). Apps like PickMe sometimes work, but I’d recommend arranging with a trusted local driver beforehand.