Pinnawela sits 90 km east of Colombo and around 40 km west of Kandy on the main A1 highway between the two cities — it is by far the easiest day trip from either, and most visitors stop here on the way through rather than staying overnight. By road from Colombo allow about two and a half hours, less from Kandy.
Trains stop at Rambukkana station, about 4 km from the orphanage, on the main Colombo–Kandy line; tuk-tuks meet incoming trains for the short ride up the hill. Buses on the Colombo–Kandy route can drop you at Karaoya Junction on the highway, from where it is a 3 km walk or a quick tuk-tuk to the orphanage gate.