Rail · SCENIC RAILWAYS IN SRI LANKA

Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka: the 8 Rides Worth Booking

8 tours  ·  from $18 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 8 scenic railways in Sri Lanka worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Ella Train Journeys, Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Journeys

Ella to Kandy scenic train journey with reserved seats ticket

1.Ella to Kandy scenic train journey with reserved seats ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · from $17Our pick

Book a reserved-seat train journey from Ella to Kandy through We Lanka Tours. The roughly six-hour ride passes tea plantations, waterfalls, mountain views, villages, and misty hills. Your seat may be in first, second, or third class, depending on availability. You receive an e-ticket by WhatsApp before midnight on the day before departure, with passport details required.

“I recommend to book your tickets with this provider! Easy, no fuss or stress. I purchase my tickets around 3 months in advance and they even got me seats in the left side from Ella to Kandy, which is the side with best views. I got my ticketRead more”

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All Inclusive Ella From/To Kandy Scenic Train Journey - Ambewela changes the usual plan
Ella Train Journeys, Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Train Journeys

All Inclusive Ella From/To Kandy Scenic Train Journey

2.All Inclusive Ella From/To Kandy Scenic Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $125

You’ll be collected near Kandy, assisted at the station, and sent by reserved first-class train toward Ella, with sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and one drink included. A driver meets you at the far station and takes you to your hotel. Allow about 10 hours, and keep one day of flexibility because train times, class, and the current Ambewela departure may change.

“ceylon havde en fantastisk servise men togturen var længere end forventet måtte vente 3 timer i toget på en station”

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From Ella - Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Scenic Train Ride - Ravana Falls and the first taste of Ella
1-Day Tours, Ella Train Journeys, Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Train Journeys

From Ella – Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Scenic Train Ride

3.Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Scenic Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5 reviews · from $49

Travel from Ella or Bandarawela with an English-speaking guide and driver to Ravana Falls, Ella Rock, Kithalella, Demodara Loop, Nine Arch Bridge, Flying Ravana Zipline, and Little Adam’s Peak. Lunch, drinks, entrance fees for Ella Rock, and a normal train ride are included. Add the Calypso train for about $5 or zipline for about $33.

“Saw so much, had a delicious lunch and the driver was excellent”

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2 Day Tour of Yala & Ella with Hill Country Scenic Train Ride - All Inclusive - Yala National Park before breakfast
2-Day Experiences, Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Journeys

2 Day Tour of Yala & Ella with Hill Country Scenic Train Ride – All Inclusive

4.2 Day Tour of Yala & Ella with Hill Country Scenic Train Ride – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $340

Start with a 4:00am pickup, a private Yala safari, and a drive into Ella’s hill country. You’ll see Rawana Falls, Nine Arch Bridge, and Little Adam’s Peak, sleep in a 3-star hotel, then ride the hill train for 60 to 70 minutes before visiting Kelliebedde Tea Factory. Driver-guide Ishan is available on some departures.

“This was one of the best tours I’ve ever been on! Our driver Ishan was an expert and super friendly and helpful. They even got me a cake for my birthday! Every experience from the safari to the train ride was excellent. The communication and coordination of the tour agency was perfect. I can’t wait to come back to Sri Lanka, thank you so much!”

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Ella Day Tour with Scenic Train Ride & Tea Plantation Visit - Nine Arch Bridge and the railway story
Ella Train Journeys, Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Journeys

Ella Day Tour with Scenic Train Ride & Tea Plantation Visit

5.Ella Day Tour with Scenic Train Ride & Tea Plantation Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $226

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from 13 Sri Lankan pickup points to Ella’s Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara viewpoint, Little Adam’s Peak, Ravana Falls, a tea plantation, and Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. Your guide handles the day, with Sachitha named in guest feedback. Confirm the scenic train portion before booking, since the stated route lists viewpoints and road travel.

“That was an amazing trip, everything was well organised! Special thanks to our guide Sachitha!”

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Horton Plains National Park Tour With Scenic Train Ride - Starting from your hotel and reaching the train
National Parks, Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Journeys

Horton Plains National Park Tour With Scenic Train Ride

6.Horton Plains National Park Tour With Scenic Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · from $79

Travel from your Colombo-area hotel by train to Ohiya, then continue by private vehicle to Horton Plains National Park. A guide leads the roughly four-hour hike through grassland, forest, rocky ground, waterfalls, and misty lakes to World’s End and Baker Falls. Train fare, water, vehicle, and taxes are included, but park entry and lunch cost extra.

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Ella Day Tour with Scenic Train Ride From Hikkaduwa - Little Adam’s Peak, A Short Climb With Big Views
Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Journeys

Ella Day Tour with Scenic Train Ride From Hikkaduwa

7.Ella Day Tour with Scenic Train Ride From Hikkaduwa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $180

Leave Hikkaduwa at 4:30 am for a private day in Ella with driver-guide Chaminda or a member of the Travelhikka team. Visit Nine Arches Bridge, hike Little Adam’s Peak, tour Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, see Ravana Falls, and ride the Demodara to Ella train. Transport, lunch, tickets, and entry fees are included.

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2 Day Tour of Udawalawe & Ella with Up Country Scenic Train Ride - All Inclusive - Elephant Transit Home: a short conservation stop
2-Day Experiences, Scenic Railways, Scenic Railways in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Journeys

2 Day Tour of Udawalawe & Ella with Up Country Scenic Train Ride – All Inclusive

8.2 Day Tour of Udawalawe & Ella with Up Country Scenic Train Ride – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $340

Start before dawn with a private drive to Udawalawe for a three-hour safari, then continue to Ella for Rawana Falls, Nine Arch Bridge, and Little Adam’s Peak. Your package includes a three-star hotel, meals, entry fees, a safari jeep, and a 60 to 70-minute hill-country train ride, with an English-speaking driver-guide throughout.

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