Category Scenic Train Rides

Sri Lanka · SCENIC TRAIN RIDES

The 15 Best Sri Lanka Train Journeys

32 reviewed

The Kandy to Ella line climbs through tea terraces, tunnels and the Nine Arch Bridge in roughly seven hours, and reserved seats go weeks ahead in season. Below are the best train bookings and rail day tours with the class you get, whether a seat is guaranteed, and which include the transfer at either end.

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets - Reserved Seats - Getting There in Kandy: Meeting Point and Departure Times

1.Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

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

Reserve seats on the scenic Kandy to Ella train in 2nd or 3rd class, with ticket delivery and reserved compartments, for a practical hill-country day.

“So much mark up. Yes we got first class reserved tickets but the cost was 5000 rupees and we paid the equivalent of 27,000 rupees. Talk about mark up Viator, bet the local provider was only paid a fraction of the total as mark up and the rest went to viator. Won't be using this site for any other tickets ever again. Had to chase the local provider for tickets right up until the night before after booking a month in advance. Buy in person at the station instead.”

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

Ella: Tea Factory, Train, and Nine Arch Day Tour with Pickup - The Train Into Ella: Where the Views Do the Talking

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

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

Full-day Ella tour with hotel pickup, tea factory, train ride, Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Waterfall, Little Adam’s Peak hike, pool club, zipline.

“A great trip. I highly recommend this agency. Great communication, helpful, and always smiling. The driver and guide were the best I've ever met—there was no problem at all throughout the day. My guide, Ranga, is a very professional man. He always tried to make sure everything was as perfect as possible. Ranga, thank you so much for a wonderful day. I truly recommend him.”

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

Colombo/Negombo: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella 3-Day Trip with Train - Day 1: Sigiriya Museum, Dambulla Caves, and the Sacred Tooth in Kandy

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

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

3-day guided Sri Lanka loop from Colombo or Negombo, climbing Sigiriya, Temple of the Tooth, tea hills by train to Ella, plus Udawalawe safari.

“It was a great way to discover Sri Lanka. I can't wait to go back! Our guide Chatu took lots care to make sure we had a great experience and took time to explain some of the history and anecdotes as we went along.”

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From Ella: Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour

From Ella: Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour - Where the day starts: pickup and your tuk-tuk ride rhythm

4.From Ella: Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour

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

Ella day tour with tuk-tuks and a Demodera train ride, Nine Arch Bridge views, waterfall swim stops, and a hike to Little Adam’s Peak.

“Highly recommend it. Our guide Shifar was very good and very knowledgeable. He was also very good with a camera. He took us to some great places that I don't think we would have seen on our own. Then finished off with taking us to a Sri Lankan restaurant which was delicious. Thank you Shifar for a great day.”

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

Ella Private Day Trip with Train Ride & Tea Factory-All Inclusive - Bentota to Ella in a private car: expect a long, early day

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

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

Ella private day trip from Bentota with train ride, Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, Rawana Falls, and a tea factory visit.

“This is the perfect way to visit a few key sites if you're short on time. In one day we got to visit a waterfall, the nine arches bridge, Ella and little Adam's Peak. It was perfect! Prot Tip: bring a change of clothes.”

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Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella

Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella - Key Things That Matter Most on This Train Ride

6.Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 57 reviews · from $20

Reserve seats for the iconic Kandy to Ella train, 6 to 7 hours through tea country, with big views of the Nine Arches Bridge.

“We didn't managed to take the train, due to the unfortunate floods in Sri Lanka. This review is for the travel agency that helped with the booking, Nefelibata Travels. Worst travel agency, they assume no resposability for our situation. We bookRead more”

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

From Ella- All inclusive Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Train - Pickup, timing, and how the day stays moving

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

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

Private Ella day trip hitting Ravana Falls, two viewpoints, Nine Arch Bridge, train ride, and optional zipline, with pickup and drops.

“Ruwan our driver was amazing. We saw some incredible sights and he was so patient waiting for us to take photos and wander around. A great day, one of the best tours we have done and so much fun. Thank you for all the memories.”

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

Day trip to ELLA & LIPTON's SEAT with Train Ride [ALL INCLUSIVE] - Rawana Ella Falls, then hiking Little Adam’s Peak the smart way

Train Tickets from Nanuoya (NuwaraEliya) to Ella

Train Tickets from Nanuoya (NuwaraEliya) to Ella - From Nanuoya Station to Boarding with E-Tickets: Your Checklist

9.Train Tickets from Nanuoya (NuwaraEliya) to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 37 reviews · from $20

Reserved train seats Nanuoya to Ella with e-tickets, tea-field views, and easy boarding. 3 to 4 hours, from $20.

“You don't get your confirmed ticket from the agent until midnight or LATER the morning that you are planning to use the train, so not very professional, but the actual train journey is lovely.”

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Colombo to Kandy Train Tickets (Reserved Seats)

Colombo to Kandy Train Tickets (Reserved Seats) - What the 2nd-class carriage feels like in real life

Ella: First Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Nanuoya

Ella: First Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Nanuoya - Boarding: Nanuoya vs Ella, and the Ambewela workaround

From Kandy: Nuwara Eliya by Train

From Kandy: Nuwara Eliya by Train - Pickup, station timing, and avoiding the common Nanuoya mix-up

13.From Kandy: Nuwara Eliya by Train

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

Scenic train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, tea-factory visit for Ceylon Tea, Lake Gregory, Ramboda Falls, and a private AC day.

“driver was on time to pick up us from the hotel. he was very helpful, it was very good day. amazing views of the tea plantations from train.”

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

Sri Lanka Private 2-day Tour:Train Trip, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya - Price and What You’re Really Buying for $275

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

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

Hill Country Blue Train to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in two days, with temples, Peradeniya gardens, and tea factory tasting.

“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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Nuwara Eliya from Kandy by Train

Nuwara Eliya from Kandy by Train - Blue Field Tea Factory and tea weighing, from leaves to cup

15.Nuwara Eliya from Kandy by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · from $76

Classic rail ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, British hill town sights, Lake Gregory, tea factory, and Ramboda Falls, with a private guide.

“This is probably the worse tour I have booked via viator. The train ride which was the main highlight of the tour did not happen as there were a strike going on with the Sri Lankan train companies. Our disappointment continues when our suRead more”

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