Skip to content
Elephant BananaTour · Sri Lanka
A traveller looking out from a train door over the hills

Planning

A Guide to Sri Lanka's Scenic Train Journeys

By Elephant Banana Tour team2 min read

How the hill-country railway works, which classes exist, and why you should look for tickets early.

The most beautiful stretch

The mountain line between Kandy and Ella winds through tea estates, tunnels and bridges. Many travellers choose the stretch from the Nuwara Eliya area (Nanu Oya station) to Ella, considered one of the most scenic.

Classes and tickets

Trains usually have first, second and third class. Reserved seats often sell out early, so if the train matters to you, let us know as early as possible.

We always list the train as "subject to availability" and offer a road alternative.

Tips for the ride

Bring water and snacks, keep your belongings close and take care at open carriage doors. The best views alternate between sides—don't be shy about swapping seats.

Trips

Blog

Related articles

A train on the Nine Arch Bridge in the jungle

Guides2 min read

Best Things to Do in Ella

Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ravana Falls and tea hills—how to spend a perfect day or two in Ella.

Kandy Lake and white colonial buildings

Culture2 min read

A First-Time Visitor's Guide to Kandy

Temple of the Tooth, the lake, the botanical gardens and a cultural show—the essentials of the island's cultural capital.

Inspiration in your inbox

Our newsletter is launching soon. Until then, ask us for ideas on WhatsApp.