Riding the Ella Train: Sri Lanka's Most Scenic Rail Journey
Apr 14, 2025 • 7 min read
The train from Kandy to Ella winds through the heart of Sri Lanka's Hill Country — a six-hour journey through cloud forests, cascading waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful tea plantations on earth. It's not just a way to get from A to B; it's an experience in itself.
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How to book your tickets
There are three classes on the Kandy–Ella train. First class (Observation Saloon) has large panoramic windows and reserved seats — book these well in advance through the Sri Lanka Railways website or at Kandy station. Second class has fans and reserved seats; third class is unreserved and standing-room only during peak season.
Tickets sell out weeks ahead during the high season (December to March and July to August). If you can't get a reserved seat, don't worry — many travellers prefer to stand in the open doorways for unobstructed views and fresh mountain air.
Which seats to choose
For the best views, sit on the right-hand side of the train when travelling from Kandy to Ella (left side if going the other direction). The most dramatic scenery — including the famous Demodara Loop where the train passes over itself — is on this side.
The open doorways between carriages are popular with photographers and adventurous travellers. You can stand here safely as long as you hold the handrails, and the views are completely unobstructed. Just be prepared for the wind and occasional tunnel darkness.
The Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge near Ella is the most photographed railway structure in Sri Lanka. Built entirely from stone and brick during the British colonial era (without a single piece of steel), it spans a deep jungle gorge and is a masterpiece of early 20th-century engineering.
To photograph the bridge with a train on it, position yourself on the hillside path about 15 minutes before the scheduled train time. The 8:47 AM train from Kandy and the 3:15 PM train from Ella are the most popular for photography. Check the current timetable as schedules change seasonally.
Key stops along the way
Nanu Oya is the station for Nuwara Eliya — Sri Lanka's 'Little England' at 1,868 metres above sea level. It's worth breaking your journey here for a night to visit the tea factories and colonial-era hotels.
Haputale is a quieter alternative to Ella with equally stunning views and far fewer tourists. The town sits on a ridge with the Hill Country on one side and the southern plains stretching to the coast on the other — on a clear day you can see all the way to the Indian Ocean.
What to bring on board
The journey takes around 6 hours from Kandy to Ella. Bring snacks and water — vendors board the train at stations selling short eats, fruit, and tea, but supplies can be limited. A light jacket is essential; the Hill Country gets cold, especially in the early morning.
Keep your camera or phone easily accessible — the scenery changes constantly and the best shots appear without warning. A portable power bank is useful for the long journey, and noise-cancelling headphones are a luxury worth having for the tunnel sections.
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