One of the most amazing train journeys in the world

Train journeys, there are always so many amazing train journeys to make. The one I made in Austria were always wonderful. I talked to you guys before about the one I made before in India. However I am pretty sure that all of those journeys can’t beat the journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella in Sri Lanka.

Officially you will take the train from Nanu Oya station, which is 8km away from Nuwara Eliya. You can also take a train from Kandy, but your train journey will be at least 5 hours longer and the best part of the train journey is between Nanu Oya and Ella. Besides that we also had to stand from Kandy to Nanu Oya.

The train powers up to the southern hill country, through the tea plantations, into the clouds, weaves through many tunnels as it descends to reach Ella.

Sri Lankan Railway Network

Most of the locals aren’t making that much use of the railway system. The railway has been introduced in colonial times by the British in 1864. The main reason was to transport tea (and coffee) from the country side back to the capital.

Since the advent of road travel the train network in Sri Lanka got heavily in decline after the 1970’s. Even today most of the journeys will be faster by bus. However the government introduced a 10 year rail development plan. And if you have some time you definitely have to do this journey.

We also enjoyed our journey from Galle to Colombo which will take you next to sea. While a bus goes more frequent and could be faster. The train gives you freedom to walk around, hang out of the window for some fresh air and gives you more time to enjoy the scenery.

The journey

We arrived an hour before departure to get our unreserved 2^nd class tickets. You are able to get 1^st class if you want and if you are lucky. But really the best choice would be 2^nd class. Here you have the option to walk around freely, open the window and lean out of the doorpost out of the train. 3^rd Class will give you a similar experience, but there are more seats smashed into a wagon, which will lower the change you will have a window seat.

The advice we had was to take a seat on the left-hand side of the train. My girlfriend had the honor to jump into the train and find those seats as fast as possible, while I dragged in the luggage into the train.

In the beginning it seemed we sat down at the wrong side of the train. Most of the scenery from Nanu Oya station was on the right-hand side of the train. However, at the moment the train starts to crawl itself through the many small mountain tunnels, the scenery will change. The result was one of the best and amazing views I have ever seen from any train journey I have made.

The low hanging clouds that we had during the day because of the rain. Really made it feel as a mysterious place. You will see people working in the tea plantations and the livelihood that is going on when you pass through a village. Don’t forget to check out my vlog that I made about this train journey to give you a better idea.

Costs of the train journey

We paid 120 rupees per person for a 2^nd class ticket. A 1^st class ticket is a 1000 rupees, which is not worth it. You will have A/C but you can’t open the window and sit in the door post. Also no need to make a reservation. Reservation will increase the price to 700 rupees per person for 2^nd class. However most of the people get off at Nanu Oya, so the chance you will get a seat is quiet high. And otherwise find yourself a place in the doorpost.

This is by hands down one of our best experiences in Sri Lanka for not only £0.80 or €1.-. While the distance is 60 km from Nuware Eliya to Ella, the train journey in itself will take 3 till 4 hours. And if you are unlucky as us during rain season, the train can be easily be delayed for an hour. So you will get a lot of bang for your bucks to enjoy the scenery for not even £1.-.