Taking the train from Kandy to Ella.

Taking the train from Kandy to Ella.

The train from Kandy to Ella only cost a few cents. But it has some of the most spectacular views you will ever see from a train window.

The railway between Kandy and Ella was build in 1864. Back then it was for a cargo train, transporting tea down from the Sri Lankan highlands. These days there are trucks transporting the tea. That has given tourist from around the world and chance to take the train from Kandy to Ella instead. You can of course take it in the other direction too.

Enjoying the view from the train window.

Enjoying the view from the train window.

I boarded the train in Kandy at around noon. I was there with 3 Malaysian friends. We almost didn’t get tickets though. The price for the 6 hour train ride is less than a Dollar. Which is really great. But it’s so great that tickets are bought up weeks in advance. Getting one last minute, you will often have to cough up extra money to an agency. But I have my contacts, because I work in travel & tourism. So we ended up getting super cheap tickets for the journey.

Going through tea plantations and jungle.

Going through tea plantations and jungle.

The train has 3 classes. We could only get third class, but that was ok. Just make sure that you get the reserved car, which is not packed with people. First and Second class are also very cheap. So if you can get these tickets, then go for them.

Third class on the train was ok.

Third class on the train was ok.

The journey goes through a lot of small villages in the beginning. But as the train climbs higher, you get more and more tea fields. and also quite a lot of forest. You will see dozens of people working in the tea fields, making sure that people around the world can fill their tea pots in the coming weeks.

Tea plantation workers.

Tea plantation workers.

The windows in the train can be rolled down. Many people also sit and stand in the doorway for a better view. Just be careful that you do not lose your balance and fall off the train.

It's easy to take photos from the train.

It’s easy to take photos from the train.

The train is old and quite simple. But I think it’s ok. Especially when you think about the tiny amount of money you pay for it.  But be ware that the toilets are old fashioned train toilets, from the time when your grandma was a teen. There are no food and drinks being sold on the train. So bring a little yourself. There are vendors getting on the train as it moves along though. so you can also buy a few snacks from them.

The train from Kandy to Ella.

The train from Kandy to Ella.

So if you are traveling from Kandy to Ella, or from Ella to Kandy. Then do not drive by car. Do yourself a favour and take the old epic tea from between Kandy and Ella.

Railway bridge near Ella.

Railway bridge near Ella.

8 Comments

  1. This sounds like a great train trip.

  2. cheap and scenic sounds like my kind of travel. Love it.

  3. I really like the look and and sound of this journey – I love train journeys generally and this looks very special. How long does the journey take?

  4. Hi Claus
    I am reading your Sri Lankan journey with interest. I will be arriving there January 2nd 2019 and will be spending 5 weeks cycle touring. This is my first long tour. May I ask how did you keep your bike safe? I cannot insure my bike so I guess I just keep it in sight all the time. Also is it possible to take it on trains? I may visit my son in Singapore for a few days towards the end of the trip. Do you know if theres a safe lock up in the airport to leave my bike please?
    It looks such a lovely country. I am very much looking forward to it.
    Thanks
    Jill

    • Hi’ Jill. I have always been able to lock up my bike somehow when cycling around Sri Lanka. Either inside my hotel room, or at another room, belonging to the hotel. I never felt that my bike was unsafely guarded at night. Do not expect to be able to take your bike on Sri Lankan trains. They have quite limited luggage space. If you want to leave your bike for a few days in Sri Lanka, then I would suggest that you leave it at the hotel/guest house, where you stay the night before you fly out. And then make a pre booking to stay there again, when you return to Sri Lanka. That should either cost you very little or nothing to do this. And it should be a safe option as well.

  5. Wonderful impression of your train trip from Kandy to Ella Claus! Brings back some fine memories for me 🙂

  6. I’ve done this journey and it is indeed spectacular. You know how much I love SL!

  7. Pingback: Taking the train from Copenhagen to Stockholm. - Travelling Claus

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