Kandy might not be the flashiest destination on a map—but once you’ve stood under the misty hills, watched monks circle the Temple of the Tooth, and heard the echo of drums during a Perahera, you’ll get it. It’s spiritual, lush, and has an old-soul energy you don’t find just anywhere. And here’s the good news: if you visit Kandy during the right time of year, you can get the full experience without crowds, chaos, or overspending.
Cheapest Months to Travel to Kandy
If you're wondering when that magical window is, you're not alone. This guide breaks down the cheapest time to visit Kandy, the best weather, and what to expect during shoulder season and off-peak months—all with practical tips to help you plan smart in 2025.
Best Month to Visit Kandy for Affordability and Weather
Let’s start with the truth: Sri Lanka’s weather is confusing. You’ve got two different monsoons affecting different sides of the island at different times. But Kandy—nestled in the central highlands—is kind of a wild card. While the southwest monsoon hits Colombo hard in May and June, Kandy is often spared the worst, thanks to its elevation and inland position.
That’s why some of the best months to visit Kandy also happen to be some of the cheapest:
Top affordable months to visit Kandy:
- June: It’s right in the shoulder season, with lush landscapes, fewer tourists, and mild, misty weather.
- September: Another off-peak season gem—cool, green, and calm before December’s visitor surge.
- March–April: Warmer, slightly busier due to school holidays and New Year festivals, but still affordable if you book early.
Of these, June stands out. The air is fresh, the temples are quiet, and guesthouses and boutique hotels often run seasonal deals. While you might get a bit of afternoon drizzle, you’ll also enjoy lower humidity and beautifully green hills all around.
Cheapest Flights to Kandy & Nearby Airports
Kandy doesn’t have an international airport of its own, but it’s easy to reach from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). From there, you’ve got two main options:
How to get from Colombo to Kandy:
- By train: Scenic, cheap, and beloved by travellers. It takes around 3.5 hours from Colombo Fort to Kandy.
- By car or private transfer: Faster and more flexible, taking 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic.
While you can’t fly directly to Kandy, you can still find cheap flights to Sri Lanka—especially during shoulder months like June and September.
| Origin City | Avg Return Fare (Shoulder Season) |
|---|---|
| London | £500–£650 |
| Dubai | $280–$350 |
| Singapore | $160–$220 |
| Frankfurt | €550–€700 |
Book your flights about 6–8 weeks in advance, fly midweek, and be open to a stopover—routes through Doha or Abu Dhabi are usually among the cheapest.
Once you arrive, factor in about $2 for a second-class train ticket to Kandy, or $45–$70 for a private car if you want more comfort.
Kandy Weather in March, June, September, October
Unlike the beach towns, Kandy stays cooler year-round—thanks to its location in the hills. This makes it one of the most comfortable cities to explore on foot, even when it’s raining elsewhere on the island.
Let’s look at the monthly breakdown:
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 30°C | 21°C | 110 mm | Warm but bearable, popular for early-year travel |
| June | 28°C | 20°C | 120 mm | Lush and misty—classic hill country weather |
| September | 28°C | 20°C | 110 mm | Cooler, fewer tourists, beautiful skies |
| October | 28°C | 20°C | 180 mm | Rains pick up—off-peak but wetter |
Why visit Kandy in June?
- The temperature is mild and comfortable—great for walking around the lake or climbing to Bahirawakanda Buddha.
- Humidity is lower than in Colombo or Galle.
- You’ll see the best weather in the early mornings and evenings, with most rain falling as short, scattered showers.
- Even when it rains, it adds to the city’s charm: mist rolls over the hills, and the air smells like wet tea leaves and temple incense. Bring a light jacket and shoes with grip, and you’ll be totally fine.
Crowd Levels: When to Visit Kandy Without the Bus Tours
Kandy’s visitor flow is tied closely to its festivals. That means crowd levels can shift dramatically depending on when you go.
Quick guide to the crowd calendar:
- December–February: Peak tourist season, driven by northern hemisphere visitors escaping winter. Prices rise and hotel availability shrinks.
- July–August: Massive spike during the Esala Perahera, a dazzling 10-night festival with elephants, dancers, and packed streets.
- March–April: School holidays and Sinhala/Tamil New Year. Not as bad as August, but busier than usual.
- June & September: Shoulder season, fewer tour groups, no major festivals, and more peace and quiet.
If you're hoping to visit Kandy when you can actually hear the temple drums echo through the hills—not just the sounds of traffic and tour groups—then June is your moment.
You’ll have more breathing room at the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and you won’t need to book restaurants or hotels weeks in advance.
Special Events During Affordable Months
While most of Kandy’s famous festivals land in July–August (like Esala Perahera), there are still cultural moments to experience during the shoulder season.
Events you might catch in June:
- Poson Poya Day: Celebrated across Sri Lanka in June, marking the arrival of Buddhism to the island. While Anuradhapura is the heart of it, temples in Kandy still hold peaceful vigils and almsgiving ceremonies.
- Weekly Poya Days: Every full moon brings a quiet reverence to the city. Shops may close, but temples fill with flowers and quiet worshippers.
Even without headline festivals, Kandy feels spiritual year-round. There’s something poetic about watching locals leave lotus flowers at the temple during early morning rituals—especially when you're not jostling with 30 other photographers for the same shot.
Insider Tips & Local Advice
Want to stretch your rupees, dodge the crowds, and truly experience off-peak Kandy like a pro? Try these:
Tips for visiting Kandy in the shoulder season:
- Book a guesthouse with a balcony: In June, the hills come alive. Watching the mist move across the valley is worth the trip alone.
- Visit the botanical gardens early: You’ll have acres of orchids, bamboo forests, and palm avenues almost to yourself before 10am.
- Skip the tuk-tuks uphill: Walk to viewpoints like Bahirawakanda Temple or the Ceylon Tea Museum for bonus views and exercise.
- Use PickMe or Uber: It’s cheaper than negotiating every tuk-tuk ride.
- Take the train to Ella or Nuwara Eliya: June trains are less crowded—this is the world-famous scenic route with open windows and dangling feet.
- Stay near the lake: It’s the perfect centre point for walking to temples, cafés, and attractions.
Cost Snapshot: Shoulder Season vs Peak
You can save a surprising amount by visiting Kandy during shoulder season. Here’s how it compares to high season:
| Category | Peak Season (Dec–Feb) | Shoulder Season (June/Sept) |
|---|---|---|
| Boutique hotel (night) | $80–$120 | $45–$70 |
| Budget guesthouse | $30–$50 | $15–$30 |
| Temple entry (avg) | $1–$5 | Same year-round |
| Meal for two (mid-range) | $20–$30 | $10–$18 |
Throw in the fact that you’ll have easier transport and better access to train tickets and you’ll be glad you didn’t go during peak season.
FAQs About Visiting Kandy in Shoulder Season
- When is Kandy cheapest? Kandy is most affordable during June, September, and October, when accommodation prices drop and crowds are low—but weather conditions remain mild.
- Is June a good time to visit Kandy? Absolutely. June falls within Kandy’s shoulder season. You’ll get fresh mountain air, fewer tourists, green surroundings, and lower hotel rates.
- What’s the weather like in Kandy in June? June in Kandy is comfortably warm, with daytime highs of around 28°C (82°F) and occasional showers. Evenings can cool to 20°C, especially in the hills.
- Is June considered peak season in Kandy? No—June is part of the off-peak season. It’s a quiet month between New Year crowds and the huge Perahera festival in July/August.
- Are there festivals in Kandy during June? Yes, Poson Poya usually falls in June, bringing a peaceful, spiritual mood to the temples, though it’s not as crowded as major festivals like Esala Perahera.