TRAIN TRIPS IN SRI LANKA

Train trips in Sri Lanka, especially the train ride from Kandy to Ella, are popular among travellers, especially among foreign travellers. You might be wondering, why the Sri Lankan train trips are so popular among travellers. It is mainly due to the scenic views that travellers encounter on their Sri Lanka train trips. Sri Lankan hill country rail trip is the most popular among the travellers, which ranks as the 4th most beautiful train journey in the world. A large number of travellers inquire about Sri Lanka train trips as we work on Sri Lanka tour packages. Due to the ever-increasing demand for Sri Lanka train journeys, We have carefully compiled this travel blog’s most popular train trips in Sri Lanka.

Table of Contents

• Nature of train trips in Sri Lanka
• What are the 5 most popular train trips in Sri Lanka?
• The train ride from Kandy to Ella
• Why are the train rides from Kandy to Ella so popular?
• How to book a train ride from Kandy to Ella?
• The train ride from Kandy to Ella on Ella Odyssey train
• New train service between Colombo and Badulla on the hill country rail track
• Can I do the entire Sri Lanka tour by train?
• The train ride from Kandy to Ella: is it the best part of hill country train trips in Sri Lanka?
• The train ride from Kandy to Ella for the best breathtaking scenery
• Train trips in Sri Lanka on the coast to see the serene ocean view
• Sri Lanka rail tours: reliability and cleanliness
• Why foreigners love Sri Lanka rail trips
• Choose the best class for the best train journey
• Sri Lanka rail tours: an opportunity to get to know the local people
• Sri Lanka rail tours: online booking
• Origin of Sri Lanka rail
• Choosing the destinations for Sri Lanka rail tours
• What are the 5 most popular Sri Lanka rail tracks?
• Choosing the proper train for your Sri Lanka rail tours
• Sri Lanka express train Vs regular train
• First-class train for a luxurious Sri Lanka trail journey
• Sri Lanka rail tours: Waitlist
• Always bring your own toilet paper on Sri Lanka rail tours
• Sri Lanka rail tours from Colombo to Badulla
  • Train Travel Sri Lanka-useful link – Sri Lanka railway train schedule
• Beautiful scenery on Sri Lanka rail journeys
• Sri Lanka rail tours: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
• Take a glimpse into the breathtaking train ride in hill country
• Sri Lanka rail tours from Colombo to Galle
• Sri Lanka rail tours from Colombo to North Sri Lanka

Nature of train trips in Sri Lanka

With a wide network of railway lines, the Sri Lanka train trips offer some of the world’s best scenery…from the busy urban metropolis of Colombo to the misty/ rainy Sri Lanka’s hill country, to the endless tea gardens with green-capped mountains in the backdrop. The train is one of the most popular transport modes in t Sri Lanka, especially among middle and lower-middle-class people. Especially the hill country train as it attracts a large number of foreign travellers apart from a large number of local commuters. Despite a large concentration of commuters, travel by train is very affordable and it is convenient too. The travellers should be aware it could be difficult to get a seat on the train due to the large crowd. During rush hours the trains are very crowded and there is only less than a 1 cm of distance between 2 people in the compartment.

Train trips in Sri Lanka are popular among travellers, especially among foreign travellers. You might be wondering, why the Sri Lankan train trips are so popular among travellers. It is mainly due to the scenic views that travellers encounter on their Sri Lanka train trips. Sri Lankan hill country rail trip is the most popular among the travellers, which ranks as the 4th most beautiful train journey in the world. A large number of travellers inquire about Sri Lanka train trips as we work on Sri Lanka tour packages. Due to the ever-increasing demand for Sri Lanka train journeys, We have carefully compiled this travel blog’s most popular train trips in Sri Lanka.

What are the 5 most popular train trips in Sri Lanka?

• Sri Lanka hill country train trip
• A train trip on Sri Lanka’s west coast
• Sri Lanka train trips along the northwest coast
• Train trips in Sri Lanka to the east coast via the north-central province
• Train trips in Sri Lanka to the northern coast of Sri Lanka

The train ride from Kandy to Ella

From the traveller’s point of view, Sri Lanka’s train trip essentially means the train ride from Kandy to Ella. You will feel the flowing of cool wind through your hair and the cool breeze brush your cheeks as you travel in a window seat of this hill country train. You will feel the chilly wind more strenuously as you near occasional mist-shrouded gloomy tunnels; as you make it higher and higher in mountains, with a slow-moving blue train.

Why are the train rides from Kandy to Ella so popular?

The breathtaking scenery is abundant on the train ride from Kandy to Ella and travellers take by surprise by its beauty. Towering mountains, tea plantations, cascading waterfalls, perennial waterways, vegetable plots, and patches of lush green forests offer a spell-binding scenery that you never be able to see anywhere else. The train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of the most popular train trips in Sri Lanka, which goes through Sri Lanka’s hill country. The train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of the biggest tourist attractions on the island and it is ranked as the 4th most beautiful train trip in the world.

How to book a train ride from Kandy to Ella?

Sri Lanka train ride from Kandy to Ella can be booked through local tour operators. The travellers can also book it on their own while presenting themselves at a railway station. The Sri Lanka hill country rail trip is usually a part of Sri Lanka tour packages such as the Sri Lanka 7 days tour and Sri Lanka 5 days tour. However, there are Sri Lanka trips that are offered solely for the purpose of experiencing the Sri Lanka hill country rail journey, e.g. Sri Lanka hill country 3 days tour. This 3-day tour not only includes a rail journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya but also the most important tourist places in the Sri Lanka hill country such as the tooth relic temple, and royal botanical garden.

The train ride from Kandy to Ella on Ella Odyssey train

Ella odyssey is a train from Colombo to Badulla. This is a special train launched targeting foreign travellers. There is a big demand for Sri Lanka hill country train journeys and a large number of them are foreign travellers. The Sri Lanka railway department was planning to launch a special train targeting foreign travellers for the train ride from Kandy to Ella. The new train service started in 2022, however, it was stopped for a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The odyssey train is back on track since August 2022. This is a luxury train and stops only in selected places, that are popular tourist attractions on the hills country rail track.

New train service between Colombo and Badulla on the hill country rail track

While marking 100 years since the beginning of the train service between Colombo and Badulla, the Railways Department is to launch a special train, ‘Dunhinda Odyssey’, tomorrow.

The train is scheduled to leave from Colombo Fort at 6.30 a.m.

After the inauguration of the train, the Dunhinda Odyssey will be reserved for passenger transport, and the fare for a ticket will be Rs. 8,000. The train consists of four cabins with 44 seats each; it also includes three second-class cabins and a third-class cabin with a canteen.

In addition to the above trains, the Railways Department has arranged for another special train to travel to Badulla on that day for the respective celebrations.

That is the train with special viewing facilities called “Calypso” without round covers. This train service too is scheduled to be inaugurated by Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

This calypso train is designed to enjoy the natural beauty and has entertainment features including food and music.

Can I do the entire Sri Lanka tour by train?

It would be a daunting task to do the entire trip to Sri Lanka by train. Because the train connects only the major cities in Sri Lanka. On the other hand travel by train can be very time consuming and you may need to spend a lot of time travelling between cities. If you have a Sri Lanka multi-day trip planned across Sri Lanka you will find it very hard to visit tourist attractions as the train brings you only to the main city. Travellers need to organize a shuttle transport from the railway station to the tourist attractions and which can increase your travel budget considerably.

Therefore, we recommend you to travel by train only a short distance between two cities. The most popular route for train trips in Sri Lanka is the hill country track from Kandy to Ella and the west coast rail track from Galle to Colombo. Usually, travellers combine these short-distance rail trips parallel to their car tours or bus tours. On the day of the train trip, the guide brings them to the starting railway station and picks them up when they reach the railway station as it is planned.

The train ride from Kandy to Ella: is it the best part of hill country train trips in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has a well-developed rail network allowing the Sri Lankans to reach all major cities on the island without any difficulty by train. The train route from Colombo to Badulla is one of the longest routes 219 km. This railway line was laid by British colonial rulers to transport goods from Colombo to the hills country.

The train ride from Kandy to Ella has become a hot tourist attraction due to the stunning scenery. However, the rest of the rail journey is not that appealing. If you intend to catch the hill country scenery it is recommended to take the train from Kandy and travel to Nuwara Eliya and Ella or vice-versa.   

Sri Lanka rail tours are not only a great way to save money during your Sri Lanka trip but also a very practical way to learn the life of Sri Lankan life. Some people say the dining table is the best place for discussion, and so is the train in Sri Lanka. You will encounter schoolchildren making their way to school, men and women commuting to the office and many other people in different age groups…

The train ride from Kandy to Ella for the best breathtaking scenery

Most travellers are thrilled by venturing on a Sri Lanka hill country rail journey, which is one of the most popular rail trips on the island. Unlike most other rail journeys around the world, the upcountry lasts only around 5 hours through Sri Lanka’s breathtaking hill country. The views of the hill country rail trip are stunning and the tiny train stations you encounter along the way are lovely little examples of the English Mission style of architecture.

Train trips in Sri Lanka on the coast to see the serene ocean view

For serene ocean views, nothing beat Sri Lanka’s coast; a Sri Lanka rail trip along the southern and western beaches, which lasts 5 hours is another popular itinerary to see the beauty of Sri Lanka’s coastal belt. Recently the railway line was further extended on this route from Matara to Hambantota. The southern coast rail route is popular among travellers as it allows them to reach the most popular beach resorts on the island with convenience, most importantly it saves a lot of time apart from allowing them to experience the stunning scenery. Train journey on the coastal line is very popular among the local travellers too, mainly due to the time-saving factor and affordability. Travelling by train on the coastal line from Galle to Colombo saves about 3 hours against the journey by bus. There are many dozens of trains plying on this route from Colombo to the southern coast and vice-a-versa, however, the most number of trains can be seen in the morning and evening to cater to the office crowd and school children.

Sri Lanka rail tours: reliability and cleanliness

Most train passengers of Sri Lanka do not praise the reliability and cleanliness, however, the beautiful scenery makes up what is the lack of reliability and cleanliness. Therefore, knowing the shortcoming of the rail trip, travellers are not reluctant to take their share of the beautiful train trip. Sri Lanka rail trip will have a mixed experience, chaotic and wonderful.

Why foreigners love Sri Lanka rail trips

There is a large number of travellers, especially foreign travellers that love train travel in Sri Lanka because the train journey is one of the best ways of discovering the natural beauty of Sri Lanka. Most foreign travellers praise the beautiful scenery on Sri Lankan rail journeys. Especially those on the upcountry railway line. The rail journey along the beach can be monotonous sometimes, due to the never-ending coastal scenery, but the hill country train journey offers a range of picture-perfect scenery in every second of the trip.

Choose the best class for the best train journey

Train travel in Sri Lanka is always adventurous, and if you have the correct class, it is a comfortable train journey as well as an unforgettable experience, as it allows you to see the breathtaking scenery across the tea gardens, vegetable gardens, patches of forest, rivers, Ocean, cascading waterfalls and green-capped mountains.

Sri Lanka rail tours: an opportunity to get to know the local people

After all, travelling by train in Sri Lanka is a perfect opportunity to mingle with the general public and have a nice, friendly chat with the local people. If you are the kind of person, who enjoys travelling in trains during a Sri Lanka trip, then you must try train travel in Sri Lanka.

Train travel to Sri Lanka is not only a great way to save money during your Sri Lanka trip but also a very practical way to learn about the life of Sri Lankans. Some people say the dining table is the best place for discussion, and so is the train in Sri Lanka. You will encounter schoolchildren making their way to school, men and women commuting to the office and many other people in different age groups. This is a great way to learn about the life of average Sri Lankans and train travel in Sri Lanka opens your holiday to a whole range of new experiences.

Sri Lanka rail tours: online booking

You may find it a daunting task to book a fully-confirmed train ticket as a newcomer. But, thanks to the new automated Sri Lanka railway online booking system, it has become considerably easier during the last several years.

Unlike in most other countries, it is not difficult to find the correct route to your destination. And it is easy to make a sense of the Scheduling of trains and availability of seats through the Sri Lanka railway online booking system. You all need a valid passport and credit card to make the payment.

Origin of Sri Lanka rail

The origin of Sri Lanka rail is going back to the first half of the 1800s. It was initiated by the British colonial rulers as a convenient method of transporting goods between Colombo and the mountains. Today, the Sri Lanka railway is considerably developed and serves the country as a leading method of transporting goods and passengers.

It has become one of the best transport modes with luxury, value for money and time-saving. The modern trains are designed to provide more comfort for the commuters. Especially the trains, which are on the long distant journeys, provide the best comfort and services. Train travel in Sri Lanka would definitely create some beautiful memories of your Sri Lanka tour.

Sri Lanka’s railway system may not be as popular as most other transport modes on the island but it is very affordable, enjoyable and convenient if you use it in the right manner.

Originating during the British rule in Sri Lanka (early 18’s), Sri Lanka’s railway network grew to be around 1560km covering a large part of the country. Around 4 million people are benefited from the railway system of Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka trains are most popular among the office workers and daily a large number of trains are scheduled to transport office workers and schoolchildren. More than 396 trains are in operation providing the service approximately to about 4 million passengers. Trains are available on 67 long-distance journeys. The entire railway track of Sri Lanka is around 1560 km long and is managed by the Sri Lanka Railway department.

Choosing the destinations for Sri Lanka rail tours

Being an island Sri Lankan rail network is not as large and complex as most countries in the world. There are four major train routes on the island and all of them start in Colombo. Railway lines that go to southern Sri Lanka and Northern Sri Lanka along the coastal belt are the busiest train routes in Sri Lanka.

Trains are very frequent on those routes and are mostly used by the local office crowd. Railway track that goes to the central mountain range and North-East direction are the two other major railway tracks but train with less frequency.

For most travellers, train travel in Sri Lanka is most enjoyable, when it goes in the direction of the central mountain range. Train travel in Sri Lanka along the beaches can also be interesting but a variation of beautiful scenery is very limited along the coastal belt.

What are the 5 most popular Sri Lanka rail tracks?

• Colombo to Ella and Nuwara Eliya
• Colombo to Anuradhapura
• Colombo to Jaffna
• Colombo to Trincomalee
• Colombo to Galle/Matara

Choosing the proper train for your Sri Lanka rail tours

The commuters often tell that the trains of Sri Lanka’s predilection for delays, in some cases late for hours!- all testify to its efficiency and wonder. Choosing the correct trains for your train travel in Sri Lanka is critical to having enjoyable train trips in Sri Lanka.

The trains of Sri Lanka can be categorized into several categories. Express trains, known as intercity trains or mail trains, are available to long-haul destinations and connect most major cities. It has cars for all 3 classes of seats (1st class, 2nd class and 3rd class).

These express trains provide a compartment with air-conditioning and an observation compartment too. Normal trains or slow trains take you to most places with frequent stops along the way. They have 3rd class cars while few of them have 2nds class cars as well.

Whatever the train you choose, you can have an interesting exchange with local travellers and you have the opportunity to try the local food on the railway platforms during your train trip to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka express train Vs regular train

On the express trains, the vendors are marching from carriage to carriage with short eats and drinks during the journey. If you go to a faraway destination take an express train, which definitely saves you a lot of time. On the Sri Lankan train, there are three classes, first-class, second class and third class.

First-class train for a luxurious Sri Lanka trail journey

First-class is the most comfortable with Ac, Wi-Fi and comfortable seats and is available on long distant tracks. Due to the high demand for first-class tickets, it is advisable to book those tickets several weeks before the journey.

If you want to buy tickets on the day of the Sri Lanka train trip, it will be subject to availability, especially the availability of seats. Usually, you need to have a prior reservation for second-class and first-class carriages. Third-class tickets are the cheapest and can be obtained without a prior reservation.

Usually, express trains on long-range trips, have 2nd class and 3rd class compartments. The 2nd class compartment is less crowded than the 3rd class compartment. 2nd class compartments are more comfortable than the 3rd class compartment with luxurious and spacious seats.

The reclining seats are more spacious than the seats of the 3rd class compartments. As far as rates are concerned 2nd class tickets are 2 times the rate of the 3rd class tickets. Some of the trains even have the 1st class compartment with air-conditioning. Prior reservation of seats is required for the 1st and 2nd class tickets.

Sri Lanka rail tours: Waitlist

When you make a booking in Sri Lanka for a train trip, there is no waitlist similar to India. If the seats are not available your request is declined or offered some other options. The booking can be done via the online system or through mobile phones. If you can drop into major railway stations like Colombo, and Kandy, you are able to reserve the seats through the ticket counter.

Always bring your own toilet paper on Sri Lanka rail tours

Common toilets on trains are usually in the European style but they do not have toilet paper. often they dirty due to the lack of attention from the cleaners, so bring hand sanitiser. if you travel by air-conditioned compartment, the cleanliness is very high and the toilets are also in very good shape.

Sri Lanka rail tours from Colombo to Badulla

The train journey between Colombo and Badulla can be described as the most scenic Sri Lanka train journey available for travellers. Travellers are able to have an awe-inspiring train journey with “Udarata Menike” Express train on this route. The train goes through the valleys, mountain slopes and along with jagged rock faces.

Usually, most foreign travellers take part in this rain journey. The railway track from Kandy to Ella is considered the most scenic part of the trip. The trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella and Vice-a-versa takes around 3 hours. This 2 hours train journey is a part of most Sri Lanka road trips.

The train trip also can be booked as a one-day trip from Colombo or 2 days Sri Lank tour from Colombo with Kandy city tours and other important tourist places.

The train crosses the Mahaweli Ganga and many other leading rivers, and you will trace the beautiful waterfalls that arise due to the windswept plateaus of the mountains. Be prepared to experience the lowest temperature in the country in the highest elevated region of Sri Lanka.

Thanks to the engineers in the past, this Sri Lanka train journey goes across the most difficult terrain in the country, it winds through the mountains, and sometimes the train is penetrating the mountain through tunnels.

If you travel in the direction of Badulla, the latter half of the journey is full of mountains and the train is straight up on the steep mountains.  This is the most picturesque part of the journey and the steepest railway line.

You can have a glimpse of the misty hills and unique landscape dominated by mountains and escapement. They are covered with tea plantations, vegetable gardens and patches of forests; looks like the mountains are concealed by a green blanket.

You will see the Horton plains national park when the train rolls through the Pattipola Railway station. Pattipola is the highest elevated station in the country, which is more than 1800 meters above sea level. Take time and enjoy the healing climate of the health resorts of Bandarawela and Nuwara Eliya. If you love to have some adventurous holidays, Ella is the destination for you. The railway track ends in Badulla, which is another popular holiday destination among the local people of Sri Lanka.

Train schedule Sri Lanka to Badulla from Colombo. Badulla is the last railway station on the upcountry railway track. all these trains are stopping at Kandy, Ella, Nanuoya and most other railway stations along the way.

Train Travel Sri Lanka-useful link – Sri Lanka railway train schedule

Beautiful scenery on Sri Lanka rail journeys

Sri Lanka’s upcountry also known as Sri Lanka’s tea country is home to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring scenery, and the upcountry train offers travellers the opportunity to experience the vast landscape with pure luxury. Cutting a path directly through Sri Lanka’s tea country – the upcountry train trip covers the distance of 76 km from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. With its mountain scenery and sprawling tea country, Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations for its train-side scenery.

It takes passengers from the lush, tropical botanical garden of Peradeniya via the Ramboda pass and onto the fertile plains of Nuwara Eliya. A trip on this route also features off-train excursions, including a leisurely boat tour of Gregory Lake and a trip to the Horton plains national park.

Sri Lanka rail tours: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Travelling from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella is on the bucket list of most travellers because it is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Usually, we include this Sri Lanka upcountry rail trip to most Sri Lanka multi-day tour packages.

However, the demand for this rail journey is very high and therefore it is very difficult to get seats, especially it is very difficult to get a seat in the 2nd and 1st class compartments. It is recommended to pre-book your seats 3 months ahead of the trip in order to secure your seats. Travelling on a blue train that moves up the mountain from Kandy to Ella and Nuwara Eliya, through the misty mountain is an experience to behold.

Take a glimpse into the breathtaking train ride in hill country

Breathtaking scenery is abundant on the hill country route, especially for the train ride from Kandy to Ella, as the training perch many thousand meters above the surrounding area on the mountain’s slopes. A large number of tourists stand by the door and feel the chilly wind in their hair, and respond to the waving kids as they cross the sleepy villages while witnessing the briskly moving colourfully clad tea puckers in the tea gardens.

The train winds along rolling hills hidden in the lush green vegetation, interspersed with small streams, cascading waterfalls, mountain tunnels, tea plantations and vast green valleys- one of the most scenic rail trips in the world.

There are many train rides on daily basis from Kandy to Ella, however, the first train is scheduled to start at 08.45 am from Kandy, which is the most popular among foreign travellers. This early hour is considered to be the best for the train ride from Kandy to Ella. It is the best time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery as the mist evaporates in the mountains due to the rising sun.

The clouds invade the entire region again towards the late evening as the sun reduces its heat means the train ride from Kandy to Ella can be less attractive if you get on the evening train. The upwards train ride from Kandy to Ella can take between 4 to 6 hours.

Sri Lanka rail tours from Colombo to Galle

This is certainly a beautiful scenic route west coast and the southern coast of Sri Lanka: the train, “Ruhunu Kumari “rolls along the borders of the Indian Ocean giving you flashes of coastline.

Take a look at the beautiful geographical formations along the coastal best such as coves, bays, sand dunes, and rock formations. enjoy the gentle breeze coming from the ocean. 

You also have the opportunity to see the calm, serene countryside of the west and southern coasts. Enjoy the low country vegetation. The isolated mountains that are formed by the geographical upheaval of the earth also make beautiful scenery along the way.

The train is the best way to travel between Colombo and Galle, which is hassle-free, convenient, saves time and cheap. There are a large number of trains plying between two cities daily and provide service for thousands of commuters.

Most trains are available in the early hours and in the afternoon owing to the high demand. Most trains have 2 categories of compartments, they are 3rd class compartments and 2nd class compartments. First-class compartments are available only on a selected few trains such as hill country train. The journey lasts around 3 hours between Colombo and Galle with an express train. But the journey with a normal train might take as many as 5 hours.

Sri Lanka rail tours from Colombo to North Sri Lanka

This is the most controversial railway track for a Sri Lanka rail journey. A great portion of the track was abandoned during the last 30 years, due to the civil war. Today this scenic Sri Lanka train journey is a very safe way to travel to the north of Sri Lanka and people are using the trains more often than other forms of transport such as land and air transportation.

The train track goes through the picturesque countryside, which is dominated by coconut plantations and paddy fields. Isolated forest patches make beautiful scenery along the way. The train starts in Colombo and rolls into the interior of the country.  The train, which is popularly known as the “Yal Devi Express” takes you in the northern direction. Enjoy the fascinating wildlife of Habarana forest. You will be greeted by a large number of wild elephants as you travel through the reserve.