Introduction
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Nuwara Eliya travel guide

Nuwara Eliya Tourism | Nuwara Eliya Guide

You're Going to Love Nuwara Eliya

With a population of 25 775, Nuwara Eliya is a must-see destination in Central, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 12 days in order to fully appreciate everything Nuwara Eliya has to offer.

When to visit Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya in December
Estimated hotel price
$153
1 night at 3-star hotel
Nuwara Eliya in December
Estimated hotel price
$153
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Nuwara Eliya

Plane

Although Nuwara Eliya doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Hambantota Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l (HRI), which is located 81 km from Nuwara Eliya.

Car

Another option to get to Nuwara Eliya is to pick up a car hire from Colombo, which is about 104 km from Nuwara Eliya. You’ll find branches of AbbyCar Car Rentals and Ace, among others, in Colombo.

Plane

Although Nuwara Eliya doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Hambantota Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l (HRI), which is located 81 km from Nuwara Eliya.

Car

Another option to get to Nuwara Eliya is to pick up a car hire from Colombo, which is about 104 km from Nuwara Eliya. You’ll find branches of AbbyCar Car Rentals and Ace, among others, in Colombo.

Airports near Nuwara Eliya

CMBColombo Bandaranaike Intl
DWOColombo Diyawanna Oya Seaplane Base
HRIHambantota Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l

Airlines serving Nuwara Eliya

KLM
Good (1,443 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,749 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,704 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,209 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,863 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,099 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,731 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,528 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,488 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,666 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,672 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,376 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,356 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,145 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,439 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,799 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (191 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (290 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (952 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,889 reviews)
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Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya

From 5-star hotels such as the Bluechip Leisure Summerhill Bungalow to great affordable options like the Hill Pride City Hotel, Nuwara Eliya offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $86 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $248 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Nuwara Eliya

Hiring a car in Nuwara Eliya

Expect to pay $1.84 per litre in Nuwara Eliya (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $22.03 and $29.37.

Expect to pay $1.84 per litre in Nuwara Eliya (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $22.03 and $29.37.