The train between Kandy and Ella (or the reverse) is one of the most photographed rail journeys in the world, and for good reason — roughly seven hours of tea estates, cloud forest and the Nine Arch Bridge, all from a carriage window. It's also often booked out weeks ahead, which catches a lot of travellers off guard.
Which side to sit on
Heading from Kandy to Ella, the best views are generally on the right-hand side of the train. Going the other direction, from Ella to Kandy, it flips to the left. Neither side is bad — the whole route is scenic — but this is the difference between casual views and the postcard shots.
Booking seats ahead of time
- First and second class seats can sell out one to two months ahead in high season (December–March, July–August).
- Third class (unreserved) is bought on the day and is how most backpackers experience the route — expect to stand for parts of it.
- We book reserved seats for guests in advance as part of the hill country itinerary, so you're not gambling on availability.
Stops worth getting off for
Nanu Oya is the stop for Nuwara Eliya and its tea estates. Ella itself is worth two nights on its own for the waterfalls and Little Adam's Peak. If you only have time for one scenic halt, Nine Arch Bridge just outside Ella is walkable from town and worth an early morning visit before the train crowds arrive.
What to bring
Hill country mornings are cool — bring a light jacket even though the coast will have you in shorts. A window seat means direct sun for parts of the day, so sunglasses help, and snacks are worth packing since the onboard vendors sell out fast on popular departures.
This train ride is the centrepiece of our Tea Country & the Blue Train package, where we handle the seat reservations and build a few relaxed days around it.