The Kandy to Ella train
Seven hours of track through the tea plantations, often called the most beautiful rail journey in the world.
Duration
6 hrs – 7 hrs
Best time
Morning departure
Open
Every day
Entry price
To confirm
The hill line was built by the British from 1864 to bring tea down from the highlands to Colombo. It climbs to one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight metres at Pattipola, the country's highest station.
The run from Kandy to Ella takes six to seven hours through plantations, tunnels and colonial-era bridges. The most spectacular section is Nuwara Eliya to Ella, three hours, which many people do on its own. Reserved second class is the best compromise: seats are guaranteed and the windows open.
Getting there
Departures from Kandy station. Reserved-class tickets go on sale thirty days ahead, online or at the counter.
What the price covers
a paid train ticket, very cheap; reserved classes cost more
What to bring
- Headlamp
Rules on site
Reserved seats go the day sales open, thirty days ahead: without a booking you are left standing in third class. Leaning out of the train or sitting in the doorway has killed people — the photographs you have seen were taken in defiance of that risk.
