Jul 9

Jul 9 Sri Lanka’s Scenic Train Ride from Ella to Kandy

I never felt so alive in an old, run down train. Hanging in between the train doors with my feet dangling in the air and head out with my hair in my face - it’s pure freedom. Sri Lanka’s train ride from Ella to Kandy feels like a journey back in time. And truly one of the best train ride’s of my lifetime.

How to Book Train Tickets in Sri Lanka

Tickets are extremely cheap so splurging on a first class train ticket in Sri Lanka means more or less $20. Our hospitable AirBnB host in Ella helped us book our train tickets in advance - so if you can, have your host or hotel do the same. For time tables and connections this link was helpful when planning our trip.

Ride First Class or Second Class on the Sri Lanka Train?

1st Class: Air Conditioned, 24/7 Security
2nd Class: Better Views, Ability to Open Windows by Seats

To be honest, there’s no need for first class on the Sri Lankan trains. But the cars are air-conditioned and the first class section is highly monitored which is great if you have lots of luggage and valuables. The downside of first class - you can't open the windows and feel the crisp mountain breeze like you can in second class (that’s the best part of the train ride). But you can still experience an authentic Sri Lankan train journey while riding first class by walking in between train cars and waiting your turn to sit by the open air train doors.

We spent most of our time sitting in between the train cars and left our luggage at our assigned seats. It was perfectly safe since security is always present at the first class section. If we’d do it again, we’d book second class tickets instead of first class just so we can open the windows by our seats.

Train Route From Ella to Kandy

No matter where you travel in Sri Lanka, the train rides are incredibly scenic. But the route from Ella to Kandy is quite special. There’s nothing like riding through the verdant tea plantations and mountains 7,000 feet in the air while jumping from one train car to the other. You are literally in the middle of the tea plantations while on the train and can see the plantation workers a few feet away hand picking tea leaf by tea leaf.

How Long is the Train Ride From Ella to Kandy?

Ella to Kandy: 7 Hours
Ella to Nuwara Eliya: 4 Hours

Our last stop was initially Kandy but locals recommended for us to stop at Nuwara Eliya to visit a tea plantation. The train ride from Ella to Kandy is approximately 7 hours, but stopping at Nuwara Eliya breaks up the travel time to 4 hours on the train. Glad we took the local advice to stop at Nuwara Eliya. We visited the Damro tea plantation, took a tour of the facility, and had a lovely tea time. After tea time we had a driver bring us to Kandy for a very cheap price - well worth it to stop by Nuwara Eliya!

This epic train ride from Ella to Kandy should be on the top of your Sri Lanka bucket list. It will easily be one of the best train rides of your life - believe the hype. If you’re still not convinced, watch this video clip!

Have you been on the Sri Lankan train from Ella to Kandy? If so, how was your experience? For my avid train riders, what are some of your best train journeys around the world?

For more on Sri Lanka travel check out my blog on 6 Things You Must Do in Sri Lanka!