The 11 Best Train Journeys in Sri Lanka

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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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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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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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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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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6.Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 57 reviews · from $20Best value

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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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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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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9.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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10.First Class Scenic Train Ticket From Kandy To Ella

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · from $95

Take a prebooked first-class train from Kandy toward Ella, with a complimentary shuttle to Ambewela under the current schedule. Expect 6 to 10 hours of tea country, misty hills, waterfalls, villages, and large-window views. Seats are reserved, but train time and seat preferences are not guaranteed.

“Would recommend if you want a hassle free travel experience on the famous train .Communication was excellent .Arrived on time took us to the station ,told us the platform and even gave us snack bags Had the best seats We had loaRead more”

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11.All Inclusive Ella From/To Kandy Scenic Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $125

You travel from Kandy toward Ella by reserved first-class train, with hotel pickup, station assistance, snacks, fruit, sandwiches, and one drink. A driver collects you at the far station. Check dates carefully: the train may start at Ambewela while repairs continue, and first-class seating is not guaranteed for late bookings.

“Communication before the trip was excellent. On the day we were told the driver would be there to collect us at 7. After chasing a tuk tuk turned up (we had a driver we could have used). Also connected to a senior manager to help smooth the process at the station. On arrival said manager was nowhere to be seen. We were handed tickets and a plastic bag with a few beers and a sandwich in and pointed towards the station entrance. After this we were left to figure out the train was delayed, which train was ours and to find our seats all of which the experience we paid…”

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