Sri Lanka · TRAIN EXPERIENCES

The 15 Best Train Journeys in Sri Lanka

34 tours  ·  from $14

The hill line is the famous one, but the coast run south from Colombo is nearly as good and half the effort. These 15 are compared on class, booking window and what the transfer at either end costs.

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets - Reserved Seats - Starting at Peradeniya instead of central Kandy
Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Kandy to Ella Train Rides in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

1.Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 523 reviews · from $26Our pick

Ride Sri Lanka’s famous blue train from Peradeniya near Kandy toward Nanu Oya or Ella. Your 2nd or 3rd-class reserved seat is arranged in advance, with hotel delivery often available and WhatsApp support from the ticket coordinator. Expect tea country, waterfalls, long hours, and a steep markup over railway fares.

“Wow! I’m so pleased with this experience. I booked within a few days (for a Wednesday) because I wasn’t able to get any online and wasn’t sure what to expect but the coordination was very smooth. Ticket coordinator was friendly and tickets were delivered the evening before. As a solo traveler they even gave me an extra seat and I was super grateful for that! I got reserved second class seats and they were the best!! Train was not very full either so was able to move around to both sides. Although I think my side had the best views :)”

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Ella: Tea Factory, Train, and Nine Arch Day Tour with Pickup - The road to Ella sets the pace
Ceylon Tea Plantation Tours, Ceylon Tea Plantation Tours in Colombo, Colombo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Ella: Tea Factory, Train, and Nine Arch Day Tour with Pickup

2.Tea Factory, Train, and Nine Arch Day Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 98 reviews · 16 hours · from $140

Spend a very full day exploring Ella with an English-speaking guide such as Krish, Ranga, or Dinesh. You’ll ride a short scenic train, visit Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Waterfall, hike Little Adam’s Peak, stop at a tea factory, and have time for the Ravana Pool Club. Expect long road transfers.

“Fantastic trip if you’re trying to see a lot of Sri Lanka in one day. The car journey was long both to and from Ella from Colombo but water provided and enough stops for food. Really friendly driver and guide and very accommodating. Would book again with the same company to explore more of the country!”

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Colombo/Negombo: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella 3-Day Trip with Train - Day one: Sigiriya’s rock, Dambulla’s caves, and Kandy
1-Day Tours, 3-Day Experiences, Dambulla Tours, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours in Dambulla, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Colombo/Negombo: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella 3-Day Trip with Train

3.Colombo/Negombo: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella 3-Day Trip with Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 93 reviews · 3 days · from $250

Travel from Colombo or Negombo to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Udawalawe. You get hotels, meals, transport, a driver-guide, and the Nanu Oya to Ella train when weather allows. Guides such as Ranga, Chathu, and Rukshan are known for flexible timing and helpful local advice.

“CJ was such an excellent guide! Very professional and friendly”

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From Ella: Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour - Nine Arch Bridge, seen from two angles
Ella Tours, Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

From Ella: Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour

4.Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 7 hours · from $37Top rated

Travel by tuk-tuk and train with an English-speaking guide such as Shifar, Rishad, or Jegan. See Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, and Pallawela Waterfall, with time for a Sri Lankan lunch. The day mixes famous sights, short hikes, photography, and a scenic railway ride.

“We enjoyed the tour very much and would do it again :) Our tour guide was really friendly and showed us lovely spots.”

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Ella Private Day Trip with Train Ride & Tea Factory-All Inclusive - Little Adam’s Peak and the first big view
1-Day Tours, Bentota Tours, Ceylon Tea Plantation Tours, Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Private, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Ella Private Day Trip with Train Ride & Tea Factory-All Inclusive

5.Ella Private Day Trip with Train Ride & Tea Factory-All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $190

Start from select south coast towns and spend a long day in Sri Lanka’s hill country with a private driver-guide. Visit Ravana Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara Loop, and Kelliebedde Tea Factory, with lunch, train tickets, entry fees, and hotel transfers included.

“Where do we start! First off Bentota Travels (Sam) is just a legend. This tour was incredible, Sam’s communication and confirmation of our Driver, times and everything else was fantastic. Danuskha our driver was just the best. So happy, infoRead more”

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Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella - Key points to know before booking
Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Kandy to Ella Train Rides in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella

6.Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 57 reviews · from $20

Reserve a seat on Sri Lanka’s famous Kandy to Ella railway, with tickets sent by email and WhatsApp or collected at the station. The roughly seven-hour ride passes tea plantations, hill towns, and the Nine Arches Bridge. Book at least 32 days ahead for the best chance of getting your preferred train and class.

“Hold your nerve, tickets didn't come through until 4.00am on the day of travel. We had ordered 3rd class reserved seats and got two seats together in a block of 6(no window seat) HOWEVER.... No one else had seats in the block. We had so much room both with a window view.”

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From Ella- All inclusive Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Train - Kithalella gives you a quick scenic pause
1-Day Tours, Ella Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

From Ella- All inclusive Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Train

7.All inclusive Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 54 reviews · 1 day · from $28

Spend one full day exploring Ella with an English-speaking guide and driver. Nuwan, Ruwan, Chatura, or another local guide may take you to Ella Rock, Ravana Falls, Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, and more. Add the $5 Calypso train or the roughly $33 zipline if you want extra thrills.

“The tour was well worth the price. Our guide was very nice and helpful. He took lots of photos for us. It was a very enjoyable day.”

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Day trip to ELLA & LIPTON's SEAT with Train Ride [ALL INCLUSIVE] - Little Adam’s Peak adds a manageable walk
1-Day Tours, Galle Tours, Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Day trip to ELLA & LIPTON’s SEAT with Train Ride [ALL INCLUSIVE]

8.Day trip to ELLA & LIPTON’s SEAT with Train Ride [ALL INCLUSIVE]

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $135

Travel from Galle to Ella and Haputale on a private 14 to 16-hour tour with hotel pickup, Ravana Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge, a one-hour train ride, and a tuk tuk safari to Lipton’s Seat. Guides such as Mathews add local insight, but expect a very early start and a long road day.

“Amazing Experience ever. with in Day we cover all these things with this Nuts. Rawana Wter Falls and Little Adams Peak hiking then Nine Arches Bridges and back to Liptons Tea and had amazing Train Ride and had a Wonderfull Tuk Tuk ride. No need to stay in Ella with in Day they covered All those things and comfortable journey with safe hands.”

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Train Tickets from Nanuoya (NuwaraEliya) to Ella - The middle section, where the ride earns its reputation
Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Nuwara Eliya Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Train Tickets from Nanuoya (NuwaraEliya) to Ella

9.Train Tickets from Nanuoya (NuwaraEliya) to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 37 reviews · from $20

Reserve a seat on Sri Lanka’s famous Nanuoya to Ella railway route. You receive an e-ticket and booking reference by email and WhatsApp, then board at Nanuoya Railway Station for a 3 to 4-hour ride through tea country, waterfalls, and mountain views. You may continue to Badulla.

“This experience was really bad , I bought a ticket for 14:30 pm but when I arrive they told us that the train should had left at 16:30 pm so we were forced to buy a new ticket and we wasted the 17.50€ of our ticket booked on this app while the ticket we bought at the train station was only 3€ ! Please do not book with viator!!”

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Colombo to Kandy Train Tickets (Reserved Seats) - The 2nd-class reserved carriage
Colombo Tours, Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Colombo to Kandy Train Tickets (Reserved Seats)

10.Colombo to Kandy Train Tickets (Reserved Seats)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $18Best value

Take a reserved 2nd-class intercity train from Colombo Fort to Kandy at 7:00 am or 3:30 pm. Your e-ticket arrives by WhatsApp or email, and the non-stop ride offers jungle, villages, tea estates, and countryside views without station-ticket stress.

“A very stress free experience. Received the E-ticket well in advance. First class! Great snacks an cool drinks available and the best coffee ever.”

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Ella Odyssey Train Reserved Seats Kandy to Ella - The scenic stops: what you can expect
Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Kandy to Ella Train Rides in Kandy, Kandy Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Ella Odyssey Train Reserved Seats Kandy to Ella

11.Ella Odyssey Train Reserved Seats Kandy to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $34

Take the Ella Odyssey from Kandy to Ella at 9:40 am in a reserved second or third-class seat. The special train pauses at viewpoints, waterfalls, mountain ranges, and forest areas for photographs. Your paper ticket is delivered before 7:00 am, with help available through Mahaweli Tours.

“Nice trip by train with gorgeous views of the countryside.”

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Ella: First Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Nanuoya - Leaving Ella or starting near Nanuoya
Ella Tours, Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Workshops

Ella: First Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Nanuoya

12.First Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Nanuoya

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 19 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Take a one-way first-class train ride between Ella and Nanuoya, usually lasting about five hours. You get a reserved seat, English-speaking assistance, and a small-group booking for up to four people. Due to track damage, some departures currently begin at Ambewela with a complimentary shuttle.

“the customer service was excellent I had a small hiccup and all the team was on line to help and resolve which was resolved amicably”

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From Kandy: Nuwara Eliya by Train - Nanuoya station and the climb to Nuwara Eliya
Kandy Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

From Kandy: Nuwara Eliya by Train

13.Nuwara Eliya by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 11 hours · from $80

Travel from Kandy into Sri Lanka’s tea country by train, then explore Nuwara Eliya with a private chauffeur-guide. You’ll see misty hills, waterfalls, Lake Gregory, and Blue Field Tea Factory. Guides such as Indika and Menuka are praised for careful driving, station help, local stories, and photos.

“We had a really nice time getting to see the Nuwara Eliya with Menuka, who was a very obliging and fabulous tour guide! The train tracks have been damaged by the cyclone so we took a sedan car up instead, and Menuka was thankfully very skilled at driving so the winding roads did not make us queasy! He made the tour very personal and shared lots of interesting stories and facts on the way, while never forgetting to take lots of pictures for us! We would definitely recommend him as a guide. The tour itself is on the pricey side, however, and as a whole we were less impressed with…”

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Sri Lanka Private 2-day Tour:Train Trip, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya - The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
2-Day Experiences, Colombo Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Sri Lanka Private 2-day Tour:Train Trip, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

14.Sri Lanka Private 2-day Tour:Train Trip, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $275

Spend two busy days traveling from Colombo through Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. You’ll ride the hill-country blue train, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Peradeniya Gardens, tour a tea factory, and watch Kandyan drummers, dancers, and fire walkers. Guide Sunny is one named guide associated with the tour.

“The train ride was a dream. I can highly recommend it. On day one, after a very short lunch break of just 30 minutes, we were dragged to a jeweler -> then had to watch a video about how the jewelers are made and, at best, buy something. It wasn't on the program and we didn't want to do that anyway. When we arrived at the hotel, everyone looked at us strangely and showed no welcoming hospitality. Day 2: The train ride was great, but then the guide wanted to go back to Colombo. We asked about Grake Esplanade, the tea plantation and the spice market. Esplanade was too far…”

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Ella Private Day Tour with Train Ride and Visit to Nine Arch - Little Adam’s Peak: one hour of walking for wide views
Bentota Tours, Kandy to Ella Train Rides, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Ella Private Day Tour with Train Ride and Visit to Nine Arch

15.Ella Private Day Tour with Train Ride and Visit to Nine Arch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $145

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Bentota to Ella with an English-speaking guide, then see Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, a tea garden, Rawana Falls, and the Demodara to Bandarawela train route. Sindu Tours provides tickets, snacks, and sightseeing fees.

“I booked a private tour with Sindu based on the reviews. Unfortunately the night before I was informed there would be another passenger. When I queried this I was offered another guide. After my day I would have to say that Armuna is not Read more”

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New in Train Experiences

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★ 4.0Kandy to Nanu Oya train ride on (Train No: 1005 “Podi Menike”)From $405 reviews
★ 3.0Train from Colombo to KandyFrom $145 reviews
★ 5.0Ella Sir Lanka Most Beautiful Train Ride In the World by JasonFrom $4804 reviews
★ 3.9Unforgettable Day Trip of 8 Sights & TrainFrom $348 reviews
★ 3.9All Inclusive Day Trip to Experience Ella & TrainFrom $694 reviews
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Ceylon Tea Plantation Tours33Kandy to Ella Train Rides25Nuwara Eliya Tours37Hiking & Trekking38Tuk-Tuks139
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