3 Days to Experience the Best Train Ride in Sri Lanka

Talking about the most beautiful train journey in the world, you could not miss the train route from Kandy to Badulla in Sri Lanka. While the highlight of this route is in fact the part from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, which passes the mountain area with an attitude over 2000 meters. There are five trains available every day. You are advised to take the train 1005 from Nanu Oya station at 12:45, for this train is faster with fewer stops. It arrives at Ella at about 15:14 with the train fare of LKR60 per person for the third class. In Sri Lanka, there are first class, second class and third class train tickets. The first class is the most comfortable with air-condition and the reserved seats. The second class also has the reserved seats, but only with fans overhead. While the third class is free-for-all tickets. You could buy the tickets at the station on the day taking the train but will need to fight for space on the train. Local people prefer to take the third class trains.

During the scenic train ride, you could see a large area of curling tea gardens, lush stands of tropical forest, some spectacular waterfalls and rivers. To get more close to the nature, you could go to the last end of the train and sit in the open train doorways, even with your feet dangling above the track. In Sri Lanka, the doors of the trains and public buses are always opened even when moving.

Upon arrival in Ella, walk to your guesthouse, for Ella is a small town and all places are in walking distance. Have a shower and prepare for the hiking on the next day.

Today, you will have a hiking tour to Small Adam's Peak. If you are energetic and weather permits, you could get up early to enjoy the sunrise on the peak. During your hiking, you could see some vendors selling the small handcrafts made of the local plants. Although the handcrafts are delicate, they are at a high price and the vendors do not accept bargain. You may also meet some tea-plucking girls. Some of them might offer taking photos for tips. If you do not want to tip them, then please ask them whether they are willing to take photos for free in advance. There is a green-tea factory on the mountain, which is very rare in Sri Lanka. It charges LKR300 per person to visit inside but you are not allowed to take photos. The next stop is the brick and stone Nine Arch Bridge. You could ask the staff at the tea factory for directions, they will show you a close way to go. The Nine Arch Bridge is very beautiful mottled with age. Afterwards, walk forward along the railway, you will go back to Ella train station.

Your best train journey will end today. You will depart from Ella for your next destination. If you will continue your trip, you could head to Galle, a coastal city, with many European style architectures. The long distant bus takes about 7-8 hours. Or you could go back to Colombo by train or by bus. The bus takes about 5.5 hours with a fee of LKR1000 per person. It takes about 9 -10 hours by train and the ticket is LKR310 per person for the third class.