• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Divert Living

Explore More

  • About Us
    • Business Relationships
  • Resources
    • Blog
      • Asia
        • Malaysia
        • Philippines
        • Singapore
        • South Korea
        • Sri Lanka
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
        • Taiwan
        • Indonesia
        • India
        • China
        • Hong Kong
      • North America
        • New York
      • Central America
        • Mexico
      • South America
        • Colombia
        • Peru
        • Argentina
      • How To Travel
      • The Lifestyle
    • Accommodations
    • Travel Essentials
    • Our Gear
  • Shop
    • Cart
  • Support Us
  • Contact
  • My account
    • Privacy Notice
    • Disclaimer
    • Return and Refund Policy

Ella to Udawalawe – The Best Way To Get There

June 16, 2019 By Jimmy Huss 5 Comments

After climbing Little Adams Peak and drinking tea till we dropped we were ready to move on to the next place. Our main goal was to head from Ella to Udawalawe to see the amazing elephants and experience the Udawalawe Safari we have heard so much about. With us trying to stay on a budget we really only had a couple of options.

Udawalawe Safari

Table of Contents

  • 1 Ella To Udawalawe
  • 2 Price Point
  • 3 Sri Lanka Taxi
  • 4 Sri Lanka Van
  • 5 Sri Lanka Bus
    • 5.1 You Might Also Like

Ella To Udawalawe

When traveling Sri Lanka a short journey can sometimes take a very long time. This is for a good reason. With the winding narrow roads, it’s best to take it slow for safety. The journey in total is 100 KM. In the USA that trip would only take us around 1 hour. To travel the same distance in Sri Lanka it took us 2 hours. This seems to be the fastest route we could find.

You have three options for traveling from Ella to Udawalawe. We went with the van it wasn’t the cheapest but it also wasn’t the most expensive. Below are the three modes of transportation and how to use them.

Price Point

Bus: Cheapest

Van: Medium

Taxi: Most expensive

Sri Lanka Taxi

This was the most expensive option to do with and the most comfortable of all. Even though we didn’t choose to travel this way that doesn’t mean you can’t. We were quoted 6000 LKR ( $33.87 USD). This still is a very reasonable price and I am sure you can negotiate him down a little. Traveling by Taxi offers you the comfort of Airconditioning and the space to yourself. You don’t have to worry about sharing or someone taking up to much room. For most people taking a vacation, this may be the best bet for you.

Sri Lanka Van

This is the option we went with. It was priced in the middle and the best option for us at the time. We had spoken with a van driver in town and was quoted a price of 2000 LKR ($11.29 USD). Sounds like a pretty good deal right? Wait it gets better! After traveling Asia for over two years we knew that this was only the starting point. You have to bargain. After walking away he basically started to negotiate with himself. We instantly walked back and offered him a lower price of 1100 LKR ($6.21 USD) per person. He was more than happy with that and accepted it right away. For us, this was a very fair price. The van holds 7 people so we knew we weren’t going to be the only ones taking this trip. I have read the average rate most people get is around 1400-1700 LKR. So if you fall within that range you are getting a fair deal.  The ride only took 2 hours and was really comfortable. There was a total of 4 people with us so we had plenty of room. The van was Airconditioned and really new. He even had decent music to listen to.

Tourist Van Ella to Udawalawe




Sri Lanka Bus

You do have a third option when traveling from Ella to Udawalawe and that is the local bus. When we were visiting Sri Lanka it very hot out. With traveling by local bus that means no Airconditioning and can also mean a not so comfortable ride. Let’s just say there was a bus broke down in front of our hotel in Ella it had lost its breaks. This was the main reason we didn’t travel by bus. Ella is 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above sea level. I would not want to be on a bus when the breaks gave out. Yes, it is the cheapest but I was too worried to risk it on that hill.

If you do want to take the local bus you can find the Sri Lanka bus time table at the Tourist information center by the train station or the tourist and police booth when you first enter Ella. This trip should take you 3 hours or more. This really depends on how many people get on and off the bus along the way. The total trip should only cost you 235LKR ( $1.33 USD ).

**If you’re not into safari’s don’t worry Sri Lanka has tons to offer and some amazing beaches like Secret beach and the most popular Mirissa beach.**

Local Bus Ella to Udawalawe

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country full of so many amazing things to do. We spent 30 days here and that still wasn’t enough. If you only have a short time don’t miss our top recommendations for what to do in three weeks.

 

Pin It For Later!

You Might Also Like

  • Mini Adams Peak
    Mini Adams Peak - Best Of Ella Sri Lanka

Filed Under: Asia, DL Blog, Sri Lanka

About Jimmy Huss

I left my career in the military to become a full-time traveler, documenting my memories along the way. Kicked off traveling in September 2017 with $4000 in my savings account and first started publishing my journey. Traveling and being able to work wherever I love ( as long as there are Wi-Fi and coffee)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. carol ives says

    September 20, 2019 at 10:04 am

    Hi! Great information,thankyou!
    I am travelling in January for three weeks and am planning to go Columbo/Galle/Marissa/Tangalle/Uda Walawe/Ella/Nuwara eliya,Kandy
    I cannot find your write up on having two weeks in Sri lanka?
    I would appreciate any advice.
    I land 5.15am inthe morning and am wondering to stay in Columbo or make my way straight down to Galle,any advice would be appreciated.

    Reply
    • Jimmy Huss says

      September 22, 2019 at 12:24 am

      Hey! Thank you so much for reading. We have a 3 week in Sri Lanka itinerary right here. https://divertliving.com/sri-lanka-itinerary-3-weeks/. You would have to take the train first thing in the am so I guess it would account for if you want to rest after the flight or not.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About Us

I left my career in the military to become a full-time traveler, documenting my memories along the way. Kicked off traveling in September 2017 with $4000 in my savings account and first started publishing my journey. Traveling and being able to work wherever I love ( as long as there are Wi-Fi and coffee)

Recent Posts

  • Where to Go in Colombia – 14 Must Visit Spots

    Where to Go in Colombia – 14 Must Visit Spots

    August 3, 2020
  • How Many Days in Chiang Mai – Creating The Best Trip

    How Many Days in Chiang Mai – Creating The Best Trip

    July 22, 2020
  • Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days – Creating the BEST Trip

    Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days – Creating the BEST Trip

    July 20, 2020
  • Why Visit Chiang Mai – The 20 Best Reasons

    Why Visit Chiang Mai – The 20 Best Reasons

    July 18, 2020
  • What to Buy in Bali – 17 Things You Can’t Leave Without

    What to Buy in Bali – 17 Things You Can’t Leave Without

    July 13, 2020

Like Us On Facebook

Like Us On Facebook

Follow More

  • Bloglovin
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Think Tank

Travel Insurance We Use

Categories

  • Argentina (2)
  • Asia (121)
  • Bali (21)
  • Buenos Aires (2)
  • Central America (5)
  • Chennai, India (1)
  • China (1)
  • Colombia (6)
  • Delhi, India (6)
  • Divertliving Camera gear (1)
  • DL Blog (110)
  • Hong Kong (1)
  • How To Travel (31)
  • India (8)
  • Indonesia (21)
  • Jaipur, India (2)
  • Malaysia (8)
  • Mexico (5)
  • New York (3)
  • North America (3)
  • Peru (6)
  • Philippines (22)
  • Singapore (3)
  • South America (13)
  • South Korea (15)
  • Sri Lanka (8)
  • Taiwan (11)
  • Thailand (12)
  • The Lifestyle (2)
  • travel (5)
  • Travel Essentials (2)
  • Uncategorized (1)
  • Vietnam (10)

Before Footer

A trip to Europe is even more beautiful with some A trip to Europe is even more beautiful with some fresh snow!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Do you travel for warmth? Most of the time I avoid traveling to cold places but honestly, this was exactly what I needed!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I didn’t expect to see snow this trip, with the weather forecasted for rain i was going to make the most out of it and see as much as I could. I really was super lucky catching the first snowfall of the year in #belgradeserbia⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Well, Serbia was full of surprises, from the food, people, and places It was a country I really need to see more of. Check out the newest video on Serbian food in Belgrade now live on the tube (link in Bio)⁣
⁣
📸 @whichchris_⁣
Holidays in Europe are something special⁣ ⁣ Ne Holidays in Europe are something special⁣
⁣
Never did I think I could experience Christmas twice in one year. Christmas is always the most special time of the year for me. I love the festivities and family spending time together. It’s just so magical to see the laughter and love that comes from it. ⁣
⁣
Merry Christmas!⁣
⁣
Did you know Christmas is January 7th for Orthodox?⁣
⁣
📸 @whichchris_
Happy New Year!⁣ ⁣ Like most places in the wor Happy New Year!⁣
⁣
Like most places in the world, Serbia is doing the best they can to help control Covid 19 so although New Years is normally spent staying up till 12 and ringing in the New Year with good drinks, friends, and loved ones. The cities shut down at 6 pm. ⁣
⁣
How did you spend your New Years Eve and Day?⁣
⁣
📸 @whichchris_
New Year New place, Welcome to Serbia⁣ ⁣ What New Year New place, Welcome to Serbia⁣
⁣
What is your biggest dream? One of my biggest dreams was to go to visit Europe and that day has finally come! I'm so excited to share my experience here with you and the new video that comes out this week.⁣
⁣
Have you ever heard of Serbia? Do you have any suggestions about what we should do or where we should go?⁣
⁣
📸 @whichchris_
Merry Christmas everybody 🎄🎅 ⁣ ⁣ This ye Merry Christmas everybody 🎄🎅 ⁣
⁣
This year was one for the books. We may not all be able to see everyone we want but it was nice to spend the holidays at home. Most of my holidays have been spending on the road or overseas with the military. ⁣
⁣
Let’s just say, I feel blessed to be where I am today. ⁣
⁣
⁣
Thank you to everyone that has been here, supporting me and exploring with me. ⁣
⁣
Super excited, in just two days ill, be heading overseas! I can’t wait to get this new series out to you!⁣
⁣
📸 @lukelaportaphotography
Are you hoping for a white Christmas like me?! The Are you hoping for a white Christmas like me?! The Weather says snow on Christmas eve and on Christmas day, I am super excited!⁣
⁣
Although the videos are still rolling from Florida I am back home with friends and loved ones for the holidays. ⁣
⁣
The Florida series is a short one with only three two more videos but I am happy to say that the next big series starts very soon! ⁣
⁣
Of course, we are all worried about Covid and trying our best to stop the spread with all the PPE and testing but do you think this should stop you from travel? I’ll be in Eastern Europe, where should we go? @whichchris_ and I are trying to plan everything now, well I am! We all know how good he is at planning 😳⁣
⁣
⁣
📸 @Lukelaportaphotography Thanks for the shot! What a perfect day to explore some of the local trails in Rochester!

Footer

Connect With Us

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 • Divert Living • Site by Juicebox Branding

Free Shipping on all orders over $29.99 Dismiss