The train journeys in Sri Lanka offer some of the most beautiful views in the world. From the gorgeous landscapes and tea plantations of the hill country, to the famous Nine Arch Bridge and the coastal routes, the Sri Lankan trains offer not only spectacular views but also a fantastic cultural experience.
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Which train route is the most famous?
The most famous and scenic train journey is the Kandy-Ella route. This eastern train route takes you from Kandy to Ella, passing through Nana Oya and then continuing on to Badulla. We started the journey from Kandy however you can also take the train from Colombo to Kandy and then change lines from here.
How long does it take?
The train from Kandy-Ella takes approximately 6-7 hours. If you have time and want to explore other locations, you can stop on the way at Hatton to climb Adam’s Peak or/and (Nana Oya) to visit Nuwara Eliya for a couple of days. Both places are definitely worth checking out!
Read more about Adam’s Peak on my blog post.
Are there different types of trains?
There are two types of trains- the slow train and the modern blue train.
How often do the trains run?
There are many trains every day and they are very easy to book. You can go to the train station and choose which class you want to book or if you would like to take the more modern train- ‘The expo rail cart’ you can book tickets in advance online using this link http://www.exporail.lk/ExpoRail.php .
For up to date train timetables look at http://www.railway.gov.lk/web/index.php The train departs from Kandy everyday at 08.47, 11.10 and 17.00pm.
Ticket information
You can choose between purchasing reserved or unreserved tickets.
Reserved tickets
Reserved tickets must be booked in advance and these can be booked online at https://12go.asia/en/train/kandy/ella .
You are able to book up to 30 days in advance. Reserved tickets often sell out very quickly so if you can, you should book these as soon as you arrive in Sri Lanka or ask your accommodation to help you. Tickets are more expensive than booking at the station, however if you like to be organised and you want to guarantee a seat, this is the best option.
Unreserved tickets
Sri Lankan railways 2nd and 3rd class unreserved carriage tickets cannot be booked in advance. They must be booked on the day of travel from the ticket office. Turn up, purchase a ticket and jump on- it is super easy and convenient and great news- these tickets cannot sell out. If you are told that a train is full, it will mean that the reserved seats are sold out; you can always buy unreserved tickets you just will not be guaranteed a seat.
Which ticket to choose?
If you want the most authentic train experience, choose the 2nd or 3rd class carriages. On these carriages the windows and doors are open, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery, feel the wind in your face and capture those famous train shots. The 3rd class is a lot busier with local families and commuters and the seating is non-allocated wooden benches.
The 2nd class carriages offer softer seating and tend to be the most popular carriages with many travellers choosing this option. We choose to take the 2nd class carriage on all of our train rides and ended up getting a seat every time. Sometimes you just have to wait for people to get off at the next stop or, you could also choose to sit in the open doorway with your legs hanging out. When we travelled on this route there was a group of us so we just rotated the doorway spot!
If you want to travel in comfort with privacy, a guaranteed seat and air conditioning, take the 1st class carriage, however it is important to note that these carriages have no open windows or doors to hang out of and take those amazing shots!
Prices
The prices are extremely cheap and affordable. I was amazed at how inexpensive transport was in this country! Prices vary depending if you book tickets at the station or online using one of the tour operators. We stopped at Hatton for one night and then continued the journey to Nuwara Eliya and then onto Kandy so we ended up purchasing 3 train tickets in total to get to Ella. Each time we travelled in the 2nd class carriages and ended up paying less than £2 for each leg of our journey to Ella- crazy cheap right?!
Which part of the journey offers the best views?
The Nanu Ouya to Ella leg of the train journey is by far the most scenic offering fantastic views of the mountains and forest landscape for as far as the eye can see.
Where is the best place to sit on the train for the best views?
Sit on the right-hand side from Kandy to Ella- the views are far more beautiful than the left side.
If you choose to go back from Ella to Kandy sit on the left side.
As I mentioned earlier, we travelled all of our train journeys in the second-class carriage. We were very lucky and managed to find seats on the right-hand side. We rotated these seats between a group of us so we could all enjoy sitting in the doorway. This also meant that we could take great pictures of each other from the window/door.
Useful information
- If you want to travel over the Nine Arch Bridge continue on the train heading towards Badulla and get off at Demodara (It is only 3km past Ella). Otherwise you can get off at Ella and visit the bridge by foot from there.
- There are toilets on board. They are squat toilets so make sure you have good balance!
- Bring snacks and drinks. Vendors are always on the train selling Sri Lankan street food too for a very affordable price.
- Be careful taking photographs. The trains do move pretty slow so you can hang out safely but be aware of trees and tunnels. We found we could capture great shots if one person sat on the carriage seat and took the pictures out of the window whilst the others were hanging out of the door.
- Keep hold of your ticket until you exit the station as they ask for it on the way out.