The 15 Best Scenic Train Rides in Sri Lanka

1.Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 523 reviews · from $26Our pick

Ride Sri Lanka’s scenic blue train from Kandy to Ella with reserved second or third-class seats, tea-country views, and practical booking advice.

“So much mark up. Yes we got first class reserved tickets but the cost was 5000 rupees and we paid the equivalent of 27,000 rupees. Talk about mark up Viator, bet the local provider was only paid a fraction of the total as mark up and the rest went to viator. Won't be using this site for any other tickets ever again. Had to chase the local provider for tickets right up until the night before after booking a month in advance. Buy in person at the station instead.”

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2.Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 7 hours · from $37Top rated

Review of Ella’s 7-hour tuk-tuk tour with Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara train ride, waterfalls, lunch stop, and Little Adam’s Peak.

“This trip was the really the best we had until now. Mana thanks to our extraordinary guide, Shifar. He was incredibly attentive and did everything possible to fulfill our wishes. As a creative photographer, he captured countless beautiful images and provided us with fascinating information. Traveling in his comfortable tuk-tuk, he showed us all the highlights of the area, ensuring we were completely satisfied throughout the journey. We can really recommend Shifar as best guide EVER 🍀”

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3.Ella Private Day Trip with Train Ride & Tea Factory-All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $190

Review of Ella’s private day trip from Bentota, with Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, tea factory, train ride, lunch, and hotel pickup.

“This is a great way to see a lot of Ella in a short time. The trip was seamless, Dinesh our driver was great and we got to see a lot. The lunch which was included in the trip was excellent!”

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4.Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 57 reviews · from $20Best value

Review of the Kandy to Ella train, with tea-country views, seat classes, ticket risks, timing advice, and practical booking tips.

“Hold your nerve, tickets didn't come through until 4.00am on the day of travel. We had ordered 3rd class reserved seats and got two seats together in a block of 6(no window seat) HOWEVER.... No one else had seats in the block. We had so much room both with a window view.”

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5.Day trip to ELLA & LIPTON’s SEAT with Train Ride [ALL INCLUSIVE]

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $135

Review of the Ella and Lipton’s Seat day trip from Galle, with waterfalls, tea country, tuk-tuk safari, train ride, and mountain views.

“Nice trip to Ella and othe places. Amazing views from the little Adam's peak. The trip from Welligama takes the whole day, but it's worth to see all this places.”

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6.Ella Odyssey Train Reserved Seats Kandy to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $34

Ride Sri Lanka’s scenic Kandy to Ella railway in a reserved seat, with extra stops for waterfalls, viewpoints, mountains, and forest views.

“Nice trip by train with gorgeous views of the countryside.”

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7.First Class Scenic Train Ticket To/From Nanuoya

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 19 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Review of Sri Lanka’s first-class Ella train ride, with tea country views, waterfalls, booking advice, route changes, and value tips.

“Me gusto mucho, sobretodo la comunicación proactiva por parte de Ceylon pass. Nos avisaron con tiempo quien nos recogería, cuando, la matrícula y donde estaban aparcados. Además nuestro conductor Fahad era muy amable y nos dio unas bebidas para el camino”

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8.Ella Private Day Tour with Train Ride and Visit to Nine Arch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $145

Review of a private Ella day tour from Bentota with Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, tea, Rawana Falls, and a scenic train ride.

“I booked a private tour with Sindu based on the reviews. Unfortunately the night before I was informed there would be another passenger. When I queried this I was offered another guide. After my day I would have to say that Armuna is not Read more”

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9.First Class Scenic Train Ticket From Kandy To Ella

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · from $95

Review the Kandy to Ella first-class train ride, with reserved seats, a shuttle to Ambewela, tea hills, waterfalls, and practical booking advice.

“A relaxing and scenic way to travel from Kandy to Ella. All well organised with no problems! Met interesting fellow travellers too.”

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10.All Inclusive Ella From/To Kandy Scenic Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $125

Review of the Kandy to Ella first-class train journey with hotel transfers, snacks, drinks, reserved seats, and practical booking advice.

“Esperienza molto bella con tratte spettacolari e paesaggi mozzafiato. il prezzo pagato è follia in relazione al costo reale del biglietto di 1° classe. La comunicazione con il fornitore del servizio potrebbe essere migliore, abbiamo avuto conferma della prenotazione solo la sera prima. Ha comunque garantito il servizio promesso.”

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11.Kandy to Ella train ride on (Train No: 1005 “Podi Menike”)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $45

Review of Sri Lanka’s Kandy to Ella Podi Menike train, with scenic tea-country views, ticket advice, timing, class choices, and value tips.

“We had booked and were apparently guaranteed a Kandy to Ella ticket. However, we were told a day before that the tickets were not available, and the best we can get is a ticket from Nanu Oya to Ella, beginning our journey halfway betweRead more”

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12.From Kandy to ELLA Private day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $100

A private Kandy to Ella day tour with tea estates, waterfalls, Nuwara Eliya, Seetha Amman Temple, and Nine Arches Bridge.

“This was what we needed absolutely crazy tour and really loved to see ambuluwawa tower that was amazing structure with beautiful view. The driver was very friendly and we felt safe with him and he is very knowledgeable person.Thanks for the worlds end tour.”

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13.Kandy to Nanu Oya train ride on (Train No: 1005 “Podi Menike”)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $40

Review of the Kandy to Nanu Oya Podi Menike train, with scenic views, class choices, timing, value, booking advice, and practical tips.

“We booked this trip for 2 pax in reserved seating in second class prior to our trip to Sri Lanka. Despite the booking being paid for and confirmed, a number of weeks later they asked for additional information to purchase the tickets. When this Read more”

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14.Private Transfer – Kandy to ella drop off and pick up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $68

Review of the private Kandy to Ella transfer, with hotel pickup, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, bottled water, flexible stops, and practical booking advice.

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15.2 Day Tour of Yala & Ella with Hill Country Scenic Train Ride – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $340

Review of a 2-day Yala safari and Ella train tour from Negombo, with waterfalls, Nine Arch Bridge, tea country, meals, hotel, and transport.

“This was one of the best tours I’ve ever been on! Our driver Ishan was an expert and super friendly and helpful. They even got me a cake for my birthday! Every experience from the safari to the train ride was excellent. The communication and coordination of the tour agency was perfect. I can’t wait to come back to Sri Lanka, thank you so much!”

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