The train journey between Kandy and Ella in Sri Lanka is considered one of the most breathtaking in the world. Even on grey, rainy days like the day we travelled, the views are still magical!
🚂 The scenic train journey will give you a unique opportunity to experience the stunning scenery of Sri Lana’s hill country, passing over misty mountains, tea plantations, local villages and the famous Nine Arch Bridge. Hanging out of the train gives you the best views and is an awesome feeling but be careful.
The Kandy to Ella Train is just one of many bucket list activities to add to your Sri Lanka trip.
Options and Prices: There are four daily trains between Kandy and Ella, and the journey takes between 6 and 7 hours - assuming there are no delays or breakdowns on the route. The most scenic part of the journey is between Hatton and Haputale stations. So if you don’t want to spend that much hours on the train, I would recommend to take the train at Nuwara Eliya. This part only takes around 4-hours to Ella. A ticket costs around 400 LKR depending on the class and destination.
Booking the tickets: If you’re in Kandy or Ella, you can buy tickets directly at the station, this is the best option if possible. You can also book tickets online at 12GO Asia. The prices are slightly higher than if you buy them at the station but it can be worth it to have tickets secured if you have set travel dates and can’t afford to miss the train if it is fully booked.