Imagine leaning out the open door of a rattling train, wind whipping through your hair as endless tea plantations unfold before you. That is completely possible with a scenic Kandy to Ella train ride.
Travelling to Sri Lanka is always a highlight of many people’s trips in South Asia. There’s just something special about spending a few hours mixing with locals and hanging out the train door. Follow the coast south to Galle and be mesmerised by the passing tea plantations and picturesque hilltop railway stations.
Learn everything you need to know about taking this tripto the top places in Sri Lanka. Find out everything from Kandy to Ella train ticket prices, popular routes, and schedules.
PRO TIP: If you’re planning to travel in Sri Lanka, whether on a budget or on a luxury tour, it cannot be emphasised enough how important it is to have decent travel insurance. This is especially important since visits to the doctor or hospital can be surprisingly expensive.
Kandy to Ella Popular Routes: Scenic and Epic Views
Sri Lanka’s hill country and misty mountains offer the most breathtaking views on this journey. Each time the train stops, expect local bread, roti, and samosa sellers to board and try to sell their wares. More people will push on, and miraculously, the train never seems to be “officially” full despite it being full from stop one!
Lush Valleys
Hills, tea plantations, forests, and rural villages whizzed by, and you’ll be mesmerised by the scenery before you. Every time the train turns a bend, many people gasp in awe at the stunning scenery before them.
Kandy and Ella Stations
The railway stations are also unbelievably picturesque. If you’re hoping for a great experience near the train stations, take a short trip to the Kandy Lake Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Near Ella station, take time to explore Ravana Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, and Nine Arch Bridge, only a short distance from town.
Tea Plantations
The landscape grows progressively more breathtaking as the journey continues, culminating in the one-hour approach to the city of Nuwara Eliya. It is well known for its beautiful, famous tea fields.
Kandy to Ella Train Tickets Cost
Before you book your train journey, here are a few things to consider in your itinerary planning. The entire trip from Kandy to Ella takes just under 6 hours.
Kandy to Ella Train Schedule
Once the train arrives, the madness begins. People push and shove their way onto the train, and whether you had a second-class ticket or third class ticket didn’t matter. You just need to find a few inches of space inside, and any carriage would do!
If you plan to go back opposite direction, take some time to explore Ella too.
Get an updated Sri Lanka railway schedule here.
The Booking Process of Taking a Train from Kandy to Ella
Whether you want a first- or second-class ticket, you can call to book, visit the station in person the day before, or book through a travel agent. Most people book a second- or third-class ticket either in advance or on the day of travel.
Even if you call and they say the train is full, you can show up early that morning, buy tickets, and board like everyone else…it’s guaranteed to be a bit hectic though!
Train Classes
If you’re planning to ride the Kandy to Ella train on your trip to Sri Lanka (and you should, as it’s definitely a highlight), you should first think about what class you want to travel in.
Unreserved Seating Tickets
If you want to save a considerable amount of money, book an unreserved seat in a third-class carriage. These wooden benches are also the most popular among locals, so be prepared to stand instead.
Typically, these trips are jovial with families crowding together and locals singing and playing drums. You’ll also probably see a few vendors pass by offering deep-fried treats to snack on.
Second and Third-class Reserved Tickets
Reserved third and second-class tickets typically cost between 400–650 LKR (2–4 USD).
The best thing about riding second or third class is that you get to mix with the locals, the photography opportunities are better, and you can hang out the doors and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
The bad part is that you could well be standing for the 6-hour journey, like we were today, because the train was totally packed and there was barely room to move a single step to your left or right for the first hour or two! Sardines in a can!
First-Class Tickets
If you would like a guaranteed seat for the 6-hour journey, you’ll need to book a first-class ticket in advance. Keep in mind that these train rides can become much longer if you board in Colombo and plan to ride the train the whole way.
These tickets typically cost approximately LKR 3,000 (9,52 USD).
Kandy to Ella Train Rides Wrapped Up
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland will always be hard to beat, but this train ride could be one of the most beautiful in Asia. Boarding the train in Kandy is mayhem.
Most people get on here because it’s a cultural hub in Sri Lanka, and there is so much to do. You could almost feel the tension and anticipation as everyone waits on the platform for the train to arrive.
But despite your legs possibly cramping from standing in the same position for almost two hours, this is a journey to remember!
Last updated on April 12th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
