Train Travel in Sri Lanka – Kandy to Ella and Other Scenic Routes – By Malsha – eLanka
Sri Lanka is famed for golden beaches, wildlife-rich jungles, and a colourful history – but ask any traveller what experience feels most magical, and many will point to one thing: a train journey through the island’s hill country. From clattering over century-old bridges to winding past tea plantations and cloud-touched peaks, Sri Lanka’s rail lines offer adventures as breathtaking as the destinations themselves.
Of these, the Kandy to Ella route is the undisputed crown jewel – a dreamy seven-hour journey that has earned global fame for good reason. Yet it is only one segment among several scenic railway lines that thread across the island. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a Sri Lankan rediscovering home, the country’s rail network invites you to settle in, slow down, and see the island from a completely different perspective.
Kandy to Ella – A Journey Through the Heart of the Hills
Often ranked among the most beautiful train journeys in the world, the Kandy to Ella ride is a moving postcard. Leaving the historic capital of Kandy, the train slowly climbs into misty mountains where the climate cools, the landscape greens, and the rhythms of city life fade behind you.
Almost immediately, the scenery begins to transform. Forests give way to rolling slopes of emerald tea plantations — a legacy of British-era planters who carved estates across the hills in the 19th century. Women in bright saris still pick tea leaves by hand in the fields, creating flashes of colour against the greens and blues.
The train passes Nawalapitiya, Hatton, and Thalawakele, towns known for waterfalls and tea factories, before reaching Haputale and eventually Ella. These stretches are slow and winding, allowing travellers to hang by open doors, feel the crisp air, and be enveloped by mist drifting across the tracks.
The highlight for many comes near Haputale, where the train rolls along narrow ridges, the world dropping into deep valleys on either side. When the weather clears, the views stretch for miles – mountains layered like watercolour paint. A final burst through forests delivers you to Ella, a lively backpacker hub surrounded by hikes, waterfalls, and charming cafés.
It is a journey where every kilometre feels like a reveal, and every bend offers a new landscape to fall in love with.
Tips for Riding the Hills:
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Book seats early, especially in peak season (December–March and July–August).
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Second class is ideal – open windows and doors mean better views and photos.
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Ride daytime trains; you won’t want to miss a moment of scenery.
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Bring snacks and water; stations sell local favourites, but supplies vary.
Colombo to Kandy – The Gateway to the Highlands
Before adventuring to Ella, many start with the Colombo to Kandy line. This route traces the island’s lowlands and gradually ascends into the foothills. The journey begins at Fort Railway Station, a busy colonial-era building in the heart of Colombo, where trains fan out across the island.
The first half of the route passes through paddy fields, village homes, and coconut groves. As the train reaches Rambukkana, the scenery begins to shift dramatically. The climb toward Kadugannawa takes passengers along the very edge of mountain walls, offering glimpses of the lush valley far below.
Railway enthusiasts love this section – it showcases early engineering brilliance, including tunnels cut through granite rock and the remnants of “temporary” wooden supports still visible today.
By the time the train coasts into Kandy, travellers have fully shifted from coastal humidity into highland cool. For many, Kandy is a destination in itself – home to the Temple of the Tooth, botanical gardens, and a serene lake lined with colonial architecture.
Ella to Badulla – The Final Mountain Stretch
Though most riders disembark in Ella, those who continue southeast toward Badulla are rewarded with one of the route’s most spectacular landmarks: the Nine Arches Bridge in Demodara.
Built entirely of stone and brick during British rule, the viaduct curves gracefully across a lush forest valley. Watching the blue train ease its way over the arches — from a hilltop, a tea field, or the jungle path below — has become one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic travel moments.
A few kilometres beyond lies the Demodara Loop, where the track spirals around on itself and under the station — a marvel of engineering built to manage steep elevation changes.
Badulla itself is a quiet town surrounded by scenic hikes, temples, and waterfalls — a restful place to finish the hill-country adventure.
Coastal Connections – Colombo to Galle and Matara
The highlands may get the most attention, but Sri Lanka’s coastal lines have charms of their own. The Colombo to Galle and Matara route tracks the island’s southwestern shoreline so closely that it sometimes feels like the train is skimming the surface of the sea.
Passengers watch beaches slide by — fishermen hauling nets, children playing in waves, and stilt fishermen perched above turquoise shallows. The line also passes bustling mountain townships, mangrove lagoons, and colonial gems like Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With sunsets over the water and windows wide open to salty air, the trip south is relaxed, breezy, and wonderfully scenic.
Northern and Eastern Lines – Routes Less Travelled
Recent upgrades have reopened railways to Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern Provinces, offering new ways to explore:
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Colombo to Jaffna: Crosses farmland and vast open plains before reaching the culturally rich Tamil heartland.
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Colombo to Batticaloa/Trincomalee: Offers glimpses of paddy fields, marshlands, and elephant country.
These journeys lack the dramatic altitude changes of the hill country, but they offer cultural richness, authenticity, and a slower look at rural communities still untouched by mass tourism.
Why Train Travel Belongs on Every Sri Lanka Itinerary
Sri Lanka’s railway network is more than transportation — it’s a living connection to history, nature, and everyday life. The Hill Country trains in particular encourage travellers to pause, to breathe, and to absorb landscapes rather than rush past them.
In an age when travel often feels fast and curated, a Sri Lankan rail journey brings back the joy of discovery — tea fields unfolding like quilts, mist dancing over slopes, and mountain stations where time seems to stand still.
Whether you choose the world-famous Kandy to Ella route, trace the shores to Galle, or wander north to Jaffna, Sri Lanka’s trains promise not just a journey from one place to another — but an unforgettable experience in between.
