Train Journeys in Sri Lanka: 12 Rides Worth Booking

2.Tea Factory, Train, and Nine Arch Day Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 98 reviews · 16 hours · from $140

Travel from Sri Lanka’s west coast to Ella with an English-speaking guide and private air-conditioned transport. Visit Ravana Waterfall, ride the train for about 25 minutes, walk to Nine Arch Bridge, climb Little Adam’s Peak, sample tea at Halpewaththa Tea Factory, and choose the Flying Ravana zipline. Guides including Krish, Ranga, Dinesh, and Rukshan are praised for thoughtful, flexible service.

“Krish was a fantastic tour guide! He has a bubbly, friendly attitude and his attention to detail to personalise the itinerary to make the most of the day was second to none. I had a great day and saw everything I wanted to. Even when I was nervous to go down the zipline, his encouragement got me through! Overall, this day is going to be a highlight of my trip! Highly recommend”

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3.Colombo/Negombo: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella 3-Day Trip with Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 93 reviews · 3 days · from $250

Travel from Colombo or Negombo with an English, Tamil, or Sinhala-speaking driver-guide. Climb Sigiriya, visit Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth, ride from Nanu Oya to Ella when weather allows, hike Little Adam’s Peak, and finish with an optional jeep safari at Udawalawe. Guides such as Ranga, Chathu, and Rukshan are noted for flexible planning and careful driving.

“Everything was great and this is an amazing way to get a taste of this beautiful country! Aaron, our driver was knowledgable, accomodating, friendly and a great driver. Higy recommend him and this tour!”

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4.Ella Unfogettable Day tour & Train Ride Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 7 hours · from $37

Spend seven hours exploring Ella with a local guide such as Shifar, Rishad, or Jagan. Ride the Demodara to Ella train, visit Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Falls, hike Little Adam’s Peak, and swim at Pallawela Waterfall. The day suits active visitors who want major sights, photo stops, and a flexible tuk-tuk tour in one outing.

“We had an exceptional tour and can highly recommend it. Our guide spoke clear, easy-to-understand English, communicated very well before the trip, and was punctual and reliable. He was also incredibly helpful and supportive, especially during the hike, and made sure we were comfortable even though we were traveling with our two-year-old son. The trip itself was fun and well organized. The waterfalls were truly impressive, and the hike down and back up was challenging but absolutely rewarding. The view from Little Adam’s Peak was stunning and a real highlight of the day. Overall, a fantastic experience from start to finish!”

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5.All inclusive Day Trip of 8 Iconic Sights & Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 54 reviews · 1 day · from $28

This private Ella day trip packs eight major sights into one full day, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide-driver, hikes to Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak, a Demodara to Ella train ride, and optional zipline and Calypso music upgrades. Guides such as Nuwan and Ruwan also help with photos and route changes.

“The tour was well worth the price. Our guide was very nice and helpful. He took lots of photos for us. It was a very enjoyable day.”

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6.Ella Odyssey Train Reserved Seats Kandy to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $34

Take the Ella Odyssey from Kandy to Ella at 9:40 am in a reserved second or third-class seat. The special train pauses at scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, mountain ranges, and forest areas for photographs. Mahaweli Tours and Holidays delivers your paper ticket before 7:00 am, with pickup available in Kandy.

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7.Sri Lanka Private 2-day Tour:Train Trip, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $275

Spend two days in Sri Lanka’s hill country with a private or small group tour covering Kandy, Peradeniya Garden, Nuwara Eliya, and a three-hour blue train ride. You’ll visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a tea factory, spice garden, and Kandyan cultural show, with hotel, meals, and train tickets depending on the package you choose.

“I got a completely different experience than almost every other review here. My guide wasn’t really a guide at all but more like a private driver. He didn’t really say a word the entire 2 days to me as he didn’t speak english well. But he was a great driver, always on time, and dropped me off and picked me up everywhere like clockwork. I accepted that I basically paid for a private chauffeur for two days which is fine. Still had a good time seeing all the sights, and as promised, they took care of all train tickets, hotel, etc.”

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8.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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9.Kandy to Ella train ride on (Train No: 1005 “Podi Menike”)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $45

Ride Train 1005, Podi Menike, from Kandy or Peradeniya to Ella in about six to seven hours. You’ll pass tea estates, villages, ravines, and mountain country, with the finest scenery between Hatton and Haputale. Reserved first or second-class seats are available, but hotel transfers, food, and drinks are not included.

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10.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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11.Kandy to Nanu Oya train ride on (Train No: 1005 “Podi Menike”)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $40

Take Train 1005, the blue Podi Menike, from Kandy to Nanu Oya, the rail stop for Nuwara Eliya. The 3 to 4 hour ride passes plantations and waterfalls, with the finest scenery on the Hatton to Haputale section. Choose air-conditioned first class or second class, then collect your ticket at the station.

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12.2 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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