The Best Train Journeys in Sri Lanka (Beyond Kandy to Ella)

Sri Lanka's railway, built mostly in the British colonial era, is slow, cheap and wonderfully scenic. Trains are an experience in themselves: vendors selling snacks through the carriages, doors left open to the breeze and views you'd never see from the road. For the most famous ride, see our Kandy to Ella train guide. Here are the other great journeys.

1. The Main Line: Colombo to Kandy and Badulla

The full Main Line climbs from Colombo through rice paddies to Kandy, then through the tea country past Hatton, Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya), Pattipola — the highest station on the network — Haputale and Ella to Badulla.

• Most scenic section: Nanu Oya to Ella, including the Nine Arches Bridge area and the Demodara loop, where the line spirals beneath itself.
• Colombo to Kandy: about 2.5–3 hours, a pleasant climb through the Kadugannawa pass.
• Tip: the section Ella–Badulla is quieter and still beautiful, passing Demodara and through many tunnels.

2. The Coastal Line: Colombo to Galle and Matara

The Coastal Line runs right beside the sea for much of its length — sometimes only metres from the waves. It passes Mount Lavinia, Kalutara, Bentota, Hikkaduwa and Galle to Matara, with an extension inland to Beliatta.

• Colombo to Galle: about 2.5–3 hours by express train.
• Best views: sit on the right-hand side (the sea side) when travelling south.
• Tip: it's a great alternative to the expressway for reaching the south coast, and trains stop near many beach towns.

3. The Northern Line: Colombo to Jaffna

This long route crosses the dry zone via Kurunegala and Anuradhapura, then runs north through Vavuniya and across Elephant Pass to Jaffna, continuing to Kankesanthurai. The line was rebuilt after the civil war and reopened all the way to Jaffna in 2014.

• Colombo to Jaffna: around 6–8 hours, depending on the service.
• Comfort: air-conditioned intercity services such as the Yal Devi have reserved seats — book ahead.
• Highlights: the flat palmyra landscape of the north and the crossing of Elephant Pass. See our Jaffna itinerary.

4. The lines to Trincomalee and Batticaloa

Lines branch off to the east coast:

• To Trincomalee — through dry forest and past reservoirs, ideal for reaching Trincomalee and Nilaveli from May to September.
• To Batticaloa — via Polonnaruwa, convenient for Pasikudah and Batticaloa.

Overnight trains are available on some eastern routes. Watch for elephants near the tracks at dawn and dusk.

Classes and tickets

• First class: reserved seats; on some trains this is an air-conditioned carriage or an observation saloon with a rear-facing window.
• Second class: reserved or unreserved. Reserved second class is often the best value, with fans and opening windows.
• Third class: unreserved, crowded and very cheap.

Reserved seats can be booked online through the official Sri Lanka Railways booking system or at station counters, usually up to about a month in advance. Popular hill-country trains sell out quickly in high season. Unreserved tickets are sold at the station on the day.

Tips for train travel

• Trains are often late. Build flexibility into your plans.
• Sit on the sea side (the right when heading south) on the Coastal Line. On the hill-country line, the best views switch sides as the train winds through the valleys, so a seat near an open door gives you both.
• Hanging out of the doors is popular but dangerous; hold on firmly and watch for poles and tunnels.
• Bring snacks and water, although vendors sell vadai, samosas and tea on board.
• Hand your big luggage to your driver if you have one; racks are small.