FULL GUIDE TO ELLA – KANDY TRAIN RIDE [SRI LANKA]
HOW LONG IS THE TRAIN RIDE FROM ELLA TO KANDY? IS BOOKING IN ADVANCE REQUIRED? IS IT REALLY WORTH THE HYPE?
The journey from Ella to Kandy by train (or Kandy to Ella) is a must when traveling to Sri Lanka. This is one of our best memories in Sri Lanka. During the train ride, you will see stunning landscapes in the mountainous region of Sri Lanka.
You will cross tea plantations for hours, you will stunning waterfalls, and people working in the rice fields, you will pass immense forests, and you will discover the bubbling local life in and outside the train.
This is by far the most epic train ride we’ve ever embarked on! We are excited to share all you need to know to prepare for this journey during your trip to Sri Lanka: the train schedule, the ticket fare, how to book your ticket, which class to travel to, and practical tips to make your ride more comfortable.
In a Nutshell:
– Scenic Beauty: The route is famed for its stunning vistas, especially the sections that pass through the tea country and alongside dramatic mountain views.
– Duration and Distance: The journey covers approximately 150 kilometers and can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours.
– Train Services: There are several trains daily, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class carriages.
– Best Segments: While the entire journey is picturesque, the segment between Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) and Ella is one of the most spectacular part of the trip.
– Advance Booking: For the best experience, it’s advisable to book tickets in advance.
Here is a teaser of what to expect during the ride between Kandy and Ella:
1. HISTORY OF THE ELLA-KANDY TRAIN
Taking the train in Sri Lanka is like stepping back in time. The entire infrastructure, from the rails to the wagons, including the train stations, everything seems to be fifty-sixty years old, perhaps a hundred years old…
The line from Ella to Kandy was created at the end of the 19th century by British settlers, with the aim of transporting their tea production from the mountains to the port of Colombo. The precious commodity was then loaded aboard ships that set sail west.
They took the brand new Suez Canal, crossed the Mediterranean, and up the Portuguese and French coasts to the teapot of Queen Victoria’s subjects.
Sir Lipton, played an important role in developing tea plantations in Sri Lanka. You can learn more about it during a trip to Lipton’s Seat near Ella, in Haputale to be precise.
Today, the train line is mostly used by locals to get from Ella to Kandy and is a popular tourist attraction for travelers in Sri Lanka.
2. WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE ELLA-KANDY TRAIN RIDE?
Thundering waterfalls, beautiful green hills, vast tea plantations. The six-hour train ride from Kandy to Ella (or Ella to Kandy) is known as one of the most beautiful and magical train rides in the world.
As the journey progresses from Ella, the train climbs higher and higher and the views become more and more spectacular. The slow convoy meanders for hours between the misty mountains and the superb tea plantations.
We spent the entire time seating by the open door, just watching the scenery for the entire journey. We loved it!
During the train ride, it’s also a great time to interact with locals and have some memorable exchanges.
Windows and doors are fully open on the train.
Of course, many people have fun sticking their heads outside or completely hanging out by the door just holding the handles. There are hardly any rules or supervisors. However, be very very careful. It is obviously very dangerous and there are reported accidents from time to time…
3. PRICES AND CLASSES OF THE ELLA-KANDY TRAIN RIDE
Whether you travel the Ella – Kandy or Kandy -Ella direction, it doesn’t matter, the fare remains the same.
There are three classes to make this trip, with various prices and levels of comfort obviously.
- 3RD CLASS: Free seating (no guaranteed seat), no ventilation, approximately €2
- 2ND CLASS: Reserved seating, ventilation, approximately €3
- 1ST CLASS: Reserved seat, air conditioning, approximately €6
- 1ST CLASS WITH PANORAMIC WAGON: Reserved seating, air conditioning, large window, approximately €12
The most recommended class is the 2nd class with a reserved seat. Here windows and doors are open, and it is ventilated. You have also more chances to mingle with locals as compared to the first class.
That being said, our train was full for the 2nd class, so the only option we got was the 1st class with Panoramic Wagon. We were a bit disappointed as we thought we won’t be able to take nice photos along the way with closed windows. But for some reason, our train was able to open windows and the doors were completely open the entire time.
Besides, we were less than 10 in the entire wagon. It was PERFECT! We could take plenty of photos and spent the entire journey by the door looking out at the incredible scenery.
4. HOW TO BUY YOUR TICKET FOR THE ELLA-KANDY TRAIN RIDE?
There are different possibilities.
Either you go to the train station 2-3 days before taking the train and buy your ticket at that time at the counter. However, be aware that trains tend to be quite full in Sri Lanka. Hence, you may not have the option you want. This is what happened to us…
Another way is to book your ticket ahead of time online at 12go website here. The price will be slightly higher, but you can secure your desired ticket!
5. WHAT IS THE TRAIN SCHEDULE?
There are many trains leaving Kandy or Ella, however, we recommend leaving in the morning, so you can reach your destination in the afternoon. Obviously don’t take the train at night! This would defeat the entire purpose of taking the train as you won’t be able to see anything outside.
- Train leaving Kandy in the morning: 7:50am, 8:46am, 11:03am, 12:25pm
- Train leaving Ella in the morning: 6:39am, 8:30am, 9:23am, 10:15am, 11:11am
6. HOW LONG IS THE TRAIN RIDE FROM ELLA TO KANDY?
The train ride varies between 6 hours and 8 hours. However, expect delays in any case. There are many stops along the way, and the train is generally quite slow.
When you book your train make sure you choose the 6h train ride, as some trains are making more stops and take 10+ hours! Which would be way too long and unpleasant…
7. IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUY FOOD ON THE TRAIN?
There aren’t any restaurants or snacks counter inside the train. However, at multiple stops street vendors will come onboard to sell some freshly cooked food, tea, fruits, and other kind of snacks.
We bought a bunch of local food on the train including delicious strawberries. It was actually delicious and obviously very cheap. We were a bit worried about food poisoning, but we were fine.
8. IS IT POSSIBLE TO BRING A LARGE PIECE OF LUGGAGE ON THE TRAIN?
As we were traveling for a year through different seasons, we brought a lot of clothes with us. We had 1 very large luggage and 2 small ones. We were worried that there wouldn’t be any space to store our luggage on the train, especially if it was crowded. But it turned out ok.
As we were in a fairly empty wagon, we could store our luggage on the seats behind us. It is also possible to store smaller pieces of luggage or big backpacks in the overhead compartment. So no worries, you will always find a place for your luggage…
9. WHICH WAY IS BETTER? KANDY-ELLA OR ELLA-KANDY?
The majority of travelers circumnavigate Sri Lanka clockwise. That is to say that they go north to end up on the southern beaches. We made the opposite choice, so it seems that the Ella – Kandy train is less crowded than in the opposite direction. That being said, we stayed in the first class, so perhaps the reason why we were only 10 in the wagon…
However, the train uses the same route, so the view is the same both ways. In conclusion, it doesn’t really matter. You will enjoy your ride either way!
10. STOP IN HAPUTALE TO VISIT LIPTON’S SEAT ON THE WAY
If you come from Kandy, then you have the option to stop in Haputale for a night first. You can actually spend a night in a stunning hotel in Haputale, the Dream Cliff Mountain Resort.
From there, take the day to visit the most beautiful tea plantations in Sri Lanka: Lipton’s Seat.
Lipton’s Seat is the name given to a huge area covered in tea plantations in Haputal, near Ella. Lipton’s Seat is actually a viewpoint on top of a mountain dominating the tea plantations with 360° panorama. This was Sir Lipton’s favorite view, the very one who developed the culture of tea in the region as well as the democratization of tea throughout the world.
As you may know, Sri Lanka adopted the culture of tea with British colonization and the country still produces some of the best teas in the world, Ceylon tea.
If you don’t want to spend a night in Haputale, you can also visit Lipton’s Seat on a day trip. It takes about 1.5 hours by tuk-tuk to get there from Ella.
For us visiting Lipton’s Seat was one of the best things we did in Sri Lanka.
READ: FULL GUIDE FOR VISITING LIPTON’S SEAT IN SRI LANKA
11. WHERE TO STAY IN ELLA?
98 Acres Resort and Spa – $$$$
This is without a doubt, THE best hotel in Ella. Often fully booked, this is the most exclusive resort in the area, with a breathtaking view of the mountains in Ella.
When hiking to Little Adam’s Peak, you can see the hotel perched on the edge of a mountain, nestled in the middle of nature.
HIDE-ELLA Hotel & Resort – $$$
HIDE-ELLA is one of the newest hotels in Ella, located right in the center of town! This very modern hotel offers amazing comfort, spacious and modern room, and an awesome restaurant. If you are not on a budget, then this is our top recommendation in Ella. Check it out here.
12. WHERE TO STAY IN KANDY?
The Radh Hotel – $$$$
Located in the center of Kandy, this hotel is the perfect place to start your exploration of the city. Many attractions such as the Temple of the Tooth Relic, or Kandy Market are accessible on foot! The rooms are modern and clean. The breakfast is also delicious with a great variety of food.
The Grand Kandyan – $$$$$
The Grand Kandyan, is a 5-star hotel, tucked away in Kandy just a few minutes drive to the Temple of Tooth Relic. The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool, a fitness center and a spa. If you want to get pampered while visiting Kandy, then this is the best hotel in the area.
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