In a nutshell
- No matter how long you’re spending in Sri Lanka, the famous Kandy to Ella train ride is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world — and an absolute must-do.
- If you’re visiting both cities anyway, the train is the perfect way to connect them. Just plan for 6–10 hours depending on the connection — the journey itself is the whole point.
- The route winds through tea plantations, waterfalls, and authentic highland villages — it’s not just transport, it’s one of the highlights of any Sri Lanka trip.
- Book your tickets as early as possible — especially 2nd class, which sells out fast. We recommend buying online via 12go.asia.
Lies auch:
Hard Facts About the Train Ride from Kandy to Ella
- Distance Kandy – Ella: 150 km
- Travel time: 6–10 hours
- Speed: average 22 km/h
- Trips per day: 3
Is the Train Ride from Kandy to Ella Worth It?
Absolutely. It ranks among the most beautiful train routes in the world, making it one of the top highlights in Sri Lanka and, for us personally, one of the most unforgettable experiences on the planet.
You chug through stunning landscapes — past tea plantations, waterfalls, and small, authentic villages. And the locals never seem to tire of waving at the train as it passes. That’s what makes this ride so special.
Just keep in mind that depending on the connection, the Kandy to Ella train takes a full 6–10 hours to cover those 150 kilometers.
If you’re short on time during your vacation in Sri Lanka, it might be worth doing just a partial leg of the journey instead.
Impressions of Our Train Ride from Kandy to Ella in Pictures
Important Info About the Train Ride from Kandy to Ella
The railway line through the highlands is a relic from the British colonial era. Back then, the trains were used to bring tea to the coast so it could be shipped to other countries.
Today, the trains in Sri Lanka get locals and tourists from A to B, making it one of the easiest and most scenic ways to travel through the country.
Here’s everything you need to know before you board:
What Route Does the Train from Kandy to Ella Take?
The train departs from Kandy and winds its way through the highlands to the Ella Railway Station.
Almost exactly halfway along the route lies the small town of Nuwara Eliya — a great stopover if you don’t want to ride all the way through. The station you need is called Nanu Oya.
We skipped the stopover ourselves because it was raining heavily there at the time.
Our tip: If you also want to cross the famous Nine Arches Bridge, you’ll need to go one more stop past Ella to Badulla.
How Long Does the Train Ride from Kandy to Ella Take?
There are three daily train connections from Kandy with no transfers. The express option takes about six to seven hours, while the panorama train takes ten hours.
The panorama train is a special tourist service with an Observation Class — a large panoramic window in the last car. Honestly, though, we think the regular trains that locals also use are more authentic and way more fun.
Yes, you’re on the road for a long time relative to the distance. That’s because the train has to gain serious elevation through the mountainous highlands, and that usually happens at a snail’s pace.
The upside: at that speed, you can comfortably stand at the open doors and soak in every bit of the scenery.
When Does the Train from Kandy to Ella Depart, and Vice Versa?
The schedule can change from time to time, so it’s best to check ahead on the platform 12go.asia. Here’s the current status as of May 2024:
Departure times for the train from Kandy to Ella:
Departure: 3:30 AM – Arrival: 1:24 PM (panorama train)
Departure: 8:46 AM – Arrival: 3:17 PM
Departure: 11:03 AM – Arrival: 4:56 PM
Departure times for the train from Ella to Kandy:
Departure: 6:37 AM – Arrival: 1:03 PM
Departure: 9:23 AM – Arrival: 3:53 PM
Departure: 12:04 PM – Arrival: 10:45 PM (panorama train)
Departure: 9:19 PM – Arrival: 3:25 AM
Tickets for the Train Ride from Kandy to Ella
Here’s exactly how to book the Kandy to Ella train and what ticket classes are available.
Where Can You Buy Train Tickets?
Important: Buy your tickets as early as possible. This route is seriously popular, and last-minute tickets can be hard to come by.
You can buy tickets for the Sri Lanka train from Kandy to Ella at any ticket counter at any train station in Sri Lanka, or simply online.
For online booking, we recommend the platform 12go.asia — it’s what we used ourselves and it worked great.
Buy tickets for the Kandy to Ella train online
What Ticket Classes Are Available for the Train Ride from Kandy to Ella?
Since we hadn’t planned our trip very far in advance, we only made it to the ticket counter the day before our departure from Kandy — and had to take whatever was left. We were honestly just thrilled to get tickets at all.
For the first part of the journey we had 3rd class + seat reservation, and from Nanu Oya to Ella only 1st class with seat reservation was still available.
If you’re quicker off the mark than we were, you’ll have your pick of four different ticket classes:
1st Class
In terms of comfort, 1st class is comparable to a high-speed train — this car is specially attached to the front for tourists. Since it’s air-conditioned, the windows stay closed.
- Seat reservation available
- Very comfortable
- With a bit of luck, you can still snag a last-minute ticket
- More expensive than the other classes
- Photos only through windows that are usually pretty dirty
Cost: from €12 / person
2nd Class
Cushioned seats with armrests, no air conditioning, but open windows and ceiling fans.
- Seat reservation available
- Genuinely comfortable for the long journey
- Most popular with tourists, so it sells out early
Cost: from €9 / person
3rd Class
This is where you ride with the locals, who will curiously look you over and quiz you about your life. No air conditioning, windows open, ceiling fans.
- Seat reservation available
- You meet incredibly interesting people — you won’t be bored for a second
- Seats are fairly close together with no armrests
Cost: from €6 / person
Personal Tips for the Train Ride in Sri Lanka
To make sure everything goes smoothly on your journey through Sri Lanka’s highlands, here are a few practical pointers from our own experience.
Pack Tissues or Toilet Paper
It’s not always available on board — but honestly, that applies to most public restrooms in Sri Lanka. A small bottle of hand sanitizer is also a smart idea.
Wear Long Pants
If you’re traveling in 3rd class, long pants are a good call. The seats there are vinyl, and sitting on vinyl with bare legs gets really uncomfortable after a while.
1st and 2nd class have fabric seats, so you’re fine either way.
Pack a Scarf
If you’re sensitive to drafts, bring a light scarf or something similar to cover your neck and ears — those open windows and doors create a constant breeze.
Take the Morning Train
We strongly recommend one of the morning trains. Clouds often roll in over the highlands in the afternoon and visibility drops fast. Early morning gives you a much better shot at clear skies and stunning views.
Ride the Route in Reverse
We rode from Kandy to Ella — but you can absolutely do it the other way around, from Ella to Kandy.
Most tourists go Kandy to Ella simply because the typical travel route takes visitors from Colombo straight to Kandy first. Many travelers want to explore the interior before wrapping up with a few days at the beach at the end of their Sri Lanka road trip.
If beach time in Sri Lanka isn’t a priority, or you don’t mind whether the beach days fall at the beginning or end, feel free to flip the route (e.g., south coast – Ella – Kandy). That way you’ll avoid the biggest tourist crowds.
Our tip: For this direction, we found a top-rated 2nd class ticket with seat reservation on GetYourGuide. It’s the most convenient way to book.
Book a reserved 2nd class ticket from Ella to Kandy
Photography Tips for the Train Ride in Sri Lanka
In our experience, it doesn’t really matter which side you sit on. The views alternate constantly — sometimes the left side is more beautiful, sometimes the right.
In 2nd and 3rd class you can open the windows completely and lean out to take photos. The doors are also open the whole time, and since the train rarely goes faster than walking pace, you can stand in the doorway, hold on firmly, and shoot with your other hand.
If you have a lens with a large zoom range, bring it. Every now and then a great subject is far in the distance and you’ll want that reach.
Sometimes the most beautiful things are right up close and you need a wide angle. There’s no time for a lens change, which is why we were super happy with our Tamron travel zoom with a focal range of 16–300 mm on this trip.
Even though the train moves slowly, getting blur-free shots isn’t always easy. We also had fairly overcast weather, so we had to shoot at a relatively high ISO to keep images sharp.
Must-See Places Along the Train Route
The ella to kandy train ride itself is a highlight — but so are several places along the route. Here are the ones we’d recommend most.
Kandy
Kandy is part of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle and was once one of the country’s three royal cities. It’s something of the cultural capital of the island and feels noticeably more modern than other parts of the country.
The standout attraction here is the famous Temple of the Tooth — named so because it’s said to house a canine tooth of the Buddha himself, making it the holiest site in all of Sri Lanka.
Book a tuk-tuk tour of Kandy including the Temple of the Tooth
Nuwara Eliya and the Surrounding Area
Halfway between Kandy and Ella lies Nanu Oya station — your stop for the town of Nuwara Eliya, just a short ride away.
Founded in the 19th century for British colonial officials and surrounded by endless tea plantations, many of the original buildings have been preserved, earning it the nickname “Little England.”
Nuwara Eliya is also a great base for day trips to some of Sri Lanka’s most important sights, which we’ll walk you through now.
Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains is one of the most beautiful national parks in Sri Lanka. A roughly four-hour hike takes you through the park to World’s End, a dramatic cliff that drops 1,650 meters. The views over the surrounding landscape are seriously breathtaking.
Another highlight along the way is the waterfall Baker Falls.
Book a guided tour through Horton Plains National Park
Adam’s Peak
The mountain Sri Pada — Adam’s Peak in English — is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha left his footprint at the summit. Ask the Hindus and it was the god Shiva. Islamic tradition says it was Adam. And the footprint of the Apostle Thomas gets a mention too.
So it’s not just Buddhists making the climb — Hindus, Muslims, and Christians all make the pilgrimage up Sri Pada. The pilgrimage season runs from December to May, with the path most crowded in January and February.
The best time to start the ascent is around two in the morning, so you catch the sunrise at the summit. The most popular starting points are the towns of Dalhousie or Hatton.
Admission to Adam’s Peak is free.
Our tip: Thomas from pixelschmitt hiked up Adam’s Peak and shares his advice for the ascent here: More about the hike up Adam’s Peak.
One more recommendation: Sabrina and Francis (whom we got to meet in Chiang Mai) also wrote about their ascent of Sri Pada on their blog my-road: Tips for climbing Adam’s Peak.
Lipton’s Seat & Dambatenne Tea Factory
You’ll find both of these spots near the town of Haputale, about 1.5 bus hours from Nuwara Eliya — a wonderful day trip.
Plan the climb to the Lipton’s Seat viewpoint very early in the morning, because as with almost everywhere in the highlands, cloud cover tends to roll in from around 10–11 AM. From the top (1,970 meters) you get a great panorama over the many tea plantations below, including the Dambatenne tea plantation.
Dambatenne is one of the oldest tea plantations in Sri Lanka, formerly part of the vast empire of Sir Thomas Lipton. You can visit the tea factory and learn all about the tea-making process on a guided tour.
Tuk-tuk tour to the tea factory from Ella with a walk through the tea plantation
Ella
Ella is a small town in the mountainous highlands, sitting picturesquely amid tea plantations. The surrounding area is packed with some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful natural highlights.
Little Adam’s Peak
In about an hour you can hike to Little Adam’s Peak, passing through tea plantations the whole way. From the main road in Ella it takes about 30 minutes to reach the signposted trail, and another 30 minutes from there to the summit.
The route is really easy to follow:
Ella essentially consists of just one street, off which a cross street branches — the Passara Road. Follow it until you find the signposted path to Little Adam’s Peak, then follow the trail up.
For anyone who’s reasonably fit, the short 3 km hike is no problem at all. Only the last ten minutes are a bit strenuous — 450 steps — but it’s totally worth it for the incredible view over Sri Lanka’s highlands.
You can also combine the hike to Little Adam’s Peak with the Nine Arches Bridge and have a knowledgeable local guide fill you in on the fascinating background:
Book the half-day tour to Little Adam’s Peak + Nine Arches Bridge
Ella Rock
We didn’t climb Ella Rock ourselves, but by all accounts it’s really worth it. The 9 km route is a bit more challenging than the Little Adam’s Peak hike, but shouldn’t be a problem if you’re reasonably fit.
Plan for a total of four hours for the round trip. Most travel guides recommend going with a local guide, as it’s easy to get lost on your own.
Guided sunrise hike to Ella Rock
Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory
Just a short distance from Ella, the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory is well worth a visit. Guided tours give you a great look into the whole tea-making process.
Tour with tasting at the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kandy to Ella Train Ride
Which class is best on the Kandy to Ella train?
That depends on what matters most to you. You’ll be most comfortable in 1st class, but the windows stay closed — so no leaning out for photos.
3rd class is a bit cheaper than 2nd but also a little less comfortable, with more cramped seating and no armrests.
For our next trip, we’d go with 2nd class with a seat reservation — the best balance of comfort, price, and open windows.
Is it worth doing only part of the train route?
Totally! If you’re short on time in Sri Lanka, doing just the leg from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya or from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is still a fantastic experience.
Honestly, we can’t say which section we liked better — we found both parts genuinely beautiful and would struggle to choose.
We’d simply go with whichever leg fits better into the rest of your itinerary.
Can you combine a tuk-tuk trip with the train route?
You want to rent your own tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, but you also want to ride the famous train from Kandy to Ella? With the provider Tuktuk Rental, you can do both!
While you’re on the train, staff from the rental company will drive your tuk-tuk to the destination station, where you can pick it up and continue your journey. Simple as that.
You’ll find all the details in our dedicated article on renting a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka.
Can you buy food and drinks on the train?
Yes! Vendors walk through the cars regularly selling snacks and drinks, and at station stops food is sold right through the open windows and doors.
So you really don’t need to worry about going hungry or thirsty — even if you forgot to bring provisions.
Is the Kandy to Ella train ride suitable for children?
We wouldn’t do the full route with young kids — it’s a really long journey. In that case, we’d recommend doing just one section, for example up to Nuwara Eliya.
And with a child, we’d definitely only book a ticket with a seat reservation. Standing for that long can be exhausting for little ones.
