Sri Lanka Scenic Train ride

The train ride from Ella to Nuware Eliya (via Nanu Oya) to Kandy is often called one of the most scenic train journeys in the world and one of Sri Lanka‘s most iconic travel experiences. Winding through lush tea plantations, mist-covered hills, and jungle landscapes, this railway route offers dramatic views you won’t forget. This Ella to Nuwara Eliya train guide will help you plan your trip, from how to book tickets, where to sit for the best views, the best segments of the route, and practical advice. This guide will make this unforgettable train journey a highlight of your Sri Lanka itinerary!

When you take the train in Ella to Kandy, you’ll pass Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya). This little town is worth a visit, and we decided to only do the train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya. This is the place to visit some tea plantations and to visit Horton Plains. But first things first: important information! How do you buy tickets, which seats to take, and several tips!

Buying a ticket: where?

Train tickets are almost always sold out in the high season. You can buy them online in advance, but the price is higher than the price you’ll pay at the station. Another solution is buying a reserved seat (1st, 2nd, and 3rd class). These seats can be bought 30 days in advance. The normal unreserved seats (2nd and 3rd class) can only be bought on the day of departure at the station.

Price: €8 on site in 2019

Warning: Save your ticket! When leaving the train, you’ll have to show it to the guard.

Buying a ticket: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class?

When taking the train, you can decide to take a seat in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class. Choose wisely!

1st class

The 1st class consists of reserved seats and is the only class that will have airconditioning. This brings a small disadvantage: doors and windows will not open.

2nd & 3rd class 

The 2nd and 3rd classes have no air conditioning, but the doors and windows can be opened. Both classes have unreserved and reserved compartments. The unreserved cars are busier, and chances are that you won’t have a seat. Most compartments have a storage room above your head for your bags. We chose the 3rd class reserved tickets. )

Train Fact: The weekends and the holidays are busier than normal, so try to avoid this!

Train hours

The train in Ella leaves at 6.40 AM, 9.24 AM (I took this one), or 12.06 PM. If you’re going to Kandy, the train from 12.06 PM arrives in the evening in Kandy. The train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya takes about 2.5 hours.

Train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya

So we arrived at the station early (1 hour in advance) just to be sure. We sat on a bench, and we immediately saw that there were almost no people. Our driver told us that it is due to the offseason and the recent attacks. After a while, the train showed up, and with the few tourists, we went to our reserved seats in the 3rd class. We shared the car with 2 other tourists and at the end of the train ride, 6 locals. Note: a car has 24 seats, ours was filled by 11 people. Definitely offseason.

Train Fact: The best view on the train from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is on the right side! The best view from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy is on the left side! We were lucky and had seats on the right side for the first half!

The view

The first 30 minutes contain a view of local farmers and small tea plantations. After those 30 minutes, the view changes to an enormous view where you can see miles of tea plantations, mountains, rice fields, and forests. The train is moving very slowly, which allows locals to stop working and to start waving at us. During the train ride, I can’t stop taking photos because the views are just breathtaking! At one point, we passed the highest point of Sri Lanka, where the clouds were just sliding down the mountain, and where we drove through. What an experience!

The best shot

The train also stops to pick up travelers or to drop them off. This gave us the best opportunity to take a photo of us, hanging out the window. Lots of people take photos hanging out the doors of the train when it’s moving, but I didn’t want to do that. I’ve read stories of people doing it, and taking a hit from a sign, a tunnel, a pole,… I don’t want to risk my life just for some likes on social media. It’s the experience that counts, not the number of likes on your social media accounts.

The end

At one point, a local guy came to sell us some salted peanuts (with paprika), and boy, those were so yummy! After that, I decided to put down my camera and to enjoy the view. After 2.5 hours, we arrived in Nuwara Eliya (I already guessed it because it became colder in our car and I had to put on my sweater). We met our driver again, and we started our exploration of Nuwara Eliya.

What should I pack for Sri Lanka?

Light, breathable clothing is best due to the tropical climate. When visiting temples, shoulders and knees should be covered. Make sure to bring these top 5 items on your trip to Sri Lanka:

• Snorkel set: for seeing all the fish and coral in the sea
• Camera: to take amazing photos of your trip!
• Sunscreen: don’t get sunburned when visiting Egyptian temples!
• Microfiber towel: compact towel to take everywhere with you & that dries quickly!
• Sturdy Hiking shoes: to make amazing hikes

Use my ultimate packing list to have everything in your luggage for your trip