Sri lanka train journey. By train in Sri Lanka - a journey of unforgettable beauty! Train to the east coast of Sri Lanka: Maho - Polonnaruwa - Batticaloa and Trincomalee
Sri Lanka - amazing island, where you can feed turtles on Hikkaduwa beach, walk through Ceylon plantations, conquer the peaks of Little Adam and Ella Rock peaks, catch waves at Mirissa spots and enjoy train rides.
Railways are the most convenient, inexpensive and very scenic option for traveling around the island. There are no traffic jams (there can be terrible traffic jams from Kandy to Colombo), you can get to almost any city, but, most importantly, the views that open up during the trip. From the open window of the train you will see the nature of the island with its hills, forests, plantations, beaches and villages where you can observe the life of the locals.
In this article, we'll show you how to build a 14-day train itinerary to see the most Beautiful places countries.
There are three classes of service on the trains. We recommend the 2nd one: in cars of this class, the windows open, there is a fan and you can sit down. Ticket prices range from $1.5 to $8. In the 1st class, soft seats and air conditioning, but the windows do not open, and therefore you will not be able to get the maximum pleasure from the trip. It’s better not to hit the 3rd, you will ride standing up, and they can even rob you.
The train schedule can be found on the website of the national carrier.
Kandy
You are arriving in Colombo. We would not recommend spending a lot of time in the capital: the city does not reflect the charm of the island. Go straight to the station and buy a ticket to Kandy. Drive about three hours.
This city, which was once the home of kings, is located in the very center of the island and is its cultural and religious heart.
Things to do
- Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is a complex of museums and temples. The divine tooth is kept in a golden box. If you plan a trip for August, you can get to Esala Perahera - the festival of the holy Tooth. Music is playing, everyone is dancing, and dozens of decorated elephants are walking along the streets. The tooth itself is exposed to the public. The Sri Lankans believe that such a ceremony will contribute to the affairs of the country.
- Climb up the hill to the huge statue of Buddha Bahiravokanda Vihara and admire the panorama of the city.
- Walk around Kandy Lake. This artificial lake, about a kilometer long, appeared on the orders of the last king of Kandy, Sri Vikram Rajasinghe, at the beginning of the 19th century. The ruler's harem was located on a small island in the middle of the lake. You will also see the monastery and the royal baths. Geese, pelicans and herons can be found around the pond.
- Walk through the Udawattakele Reserve to get acquainted with Sri Lankan flora and fauna: 300-year-old vine, mini rattan palms, orchids, creepers, Ceylon macaques, porcupines, mongooses, emerald parrot and dove.
The cost of a train ticket from Colombo to Kandy in the second class is $2. In order to have time to explore the city, we recommend staying for one night.
Nuwara Eliya
From Kandy, take the train to Badulla and get off at the Nanu Oya stop. Drive about 4 hours. From here take a bus to Nuwara Eliya. "Little England" in the forest thicket in the center of the island. Lovely Victorian houses in the midst of plantations and mountain ranges.
Things to do
- Take a boat ride on Lake Gregory. This lake was designed by the British governor of Nuwara Eliya to supply the city with electricity, but quickly turned into a holiday destination. Now locals and tourists have picnics here, ride boats in the form of swans, kayaks and bicycles, walk along the picturesque paths.
- Take photos around one of the most high waterfalls St. Clair Island, which received the name "Little Niagara" due to the cascades of different heights.
- Walk through the highest botanical garden in the world - Hakgala.
- Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, so it's worth visiting local plantations like Pedro Estate to find out how it's made.
The cost of a train ticket from Kandy to Nanu Oy in the second class is $1.5. If you arrive early in the morning, you can leave in the evening, but it is better to spend the night so that one day you can calmly look at the garden, lake and waterfall, and devote the other to plantations.
Hotels: a night in a hostel for one person will cost from , in a 3 * hotel - from .
Ella
Photo: @florianreichelt / @backpackdiariez / Instagram.com
Back to the station. Today you will see one of the most beautiful roads in your life.
Take a ticket to Badulla (terminal station), but get off at Ella. It takes about 3 hours to drive, but it's worth it, the views will be amazing. You can sit down with your legs dangling in the doorway. It is better to plan a trip on a weekday, as locals will join the tourists on weekends and it will not be easy to find a comfortable place.
Ella is a small town in the mountains, which is full of life. During the day, everyone goes to the mountains to admire the panoramas, and in the evening they gather in local cafes and share their impressions.
Things to do
- Ella is a city for hiking. There are several routes here. The shortest is to the Ravana cave, sung in the ancient Indian epic Ramayana. According to legend, the king of India had a beautiful wife, Sita, the king of Sri Lanka, Ravana, kidnapped her and hid her in this cave. From the top you have great views of the mountains.
- Slowly walk to Little Adam's Peak. It will take 45 minutes and another 15-20 minutes to climb.
- If the Small Peak is a childish prank for you and you prefer hiking for longer distances, then Ella Rock will be a more serious mountain. First, the distance is greater. Secondly, the trail is quieter and more untouched than the well-organized trail to Little Adam's Peak. The ascent and descent will take 4 hours, you can take a guide.
- Walk to one of the main attractions of the island - the Nine Arch Bridge, the longest in Sri Lanka. In addition, it was built without the use of steel, only due to brick, volcanic rocks and cement. The 92 meters high bridge is hidden among the lush forest. Every day, hundreds of tourists gather around it and on it to take gorgeous photos.
- Ravana waterfall is located 10 minutes from the city. If it's hot outside, it will help cool you down.
The cost of a train ticket from Nanu Oy to Ella in the second class is $1.5. To enjoy the city, we recommend spending two nights there.
Hotels: a night in a hostel for one person will cost from , in a 3 * hotel - from .
Matara
After Ella, a difficult path to the coast lies ahead. Unfortunately, there is no train to the coast from here, and making the return detour through Colombo is a waste of precious time. You can use Uber or take the city bus number 31 (Bandarawela-Matara), feel the atmosphere.
Things to do
- Walk along Cape Dondra, on which stands the temple of the god Vishnu. This is both a Hindu sanctuary and an active sea port with a majestic white lighthouse.
- Swim to Crow Island. walk among wildlife if you are with children - go to the amusement park Crow Island Beach Park.
- Visit the Veherahena temple. Residents built it underground to pray in secret from the colonialists, and later they put a large statue of Buddha outside.
- Take a walk along the calm, unlike many others on the island, Matara beach.
The ticket price for bus 31 from Ella to Matara is $2. It is better to leave early in the morning, as the travel time is five hours. A ride on Uber will cost about $90, you can find fellow travelers and split the amount. It is better to leave early in the morning so that you can be in Matara during the day, spend the rest of the day in the city and go to Mirissa late in the evening.
Mirissa
From the "climber-traveler" mode in this city, it is worth switching to the "surfer-tanner". There are buses from Matara to Colombo or Galle. Warn the driver to stop in Mirissa.
Sri Lanka is known for its ideal waves for surfers, so if somewhere in your dreams you cut open the sea, then it's time to make your dreams come true.
After sunset, beach establishments lay out their fresh catch on the ice. Your task is only to choose between crabs, a variety of fish and seafood.
Train to Mirissa from $1. It's better to stay here for a couple of days.
Hotels: a night in a hostel for one person will cost from , in a 3 * hotel - from .
Unawatuna
You can get there by bus to Galle.
The perfect place to sunbathe, drink royal coconut, take photos of "I'm on gorgeous beach and try Sri Lankan cuisine. If you have never stood on the surf, then here is the most suitable spot, since the waves are quite small. You can also go diving.
Bus to the city from $0.5. You can stay for a couple of days.
Hotels: a night in a hostel for one person will cost from , in a 3 * hotel - from .
Halle
The walled city of Galle is famous for its fort, built by the Dutch and listed world heritage UNESCO.
Things to do
- Walk along the wall of the fortress, take a photo of the lighthouse and the clock tower against the backdrop of the raging sea.
- Look at Dutch architecture, wandering through the narrow streets inside the fort, looking into souvenir shops.
- Go to the National Maritime Museum.
- Compare Church of All Saints, Dutch Church, Meera Mosque.
The cost of the bus to Galle is $0.5. You will have time to see the city in a day, and in the evening you can go to the next city.
Hikkaduwa
If the prospect of lying on the board waiting for the perfect wave is not very happy, we recommend going to Hikkaduwa. This is a Sri Lankan village, chosen by the Russians. Here clean beach, clear water and palm trees leaning over the water. The atmosphere can be broken only by pareo dealers and masseuses. For massage it is better to go to the salon.
If you go to the beach, you can see large turtles coming for food. They know that tourists are waiting for them here with prepared food and cameras, so they chose this place. For dinner, go to one of the restaurants and taste the freshest crabs.
The cost of a train ticket from Halle to Hikkaduwa in the second class is $0.5. How long to stay here depends on your thirst for relaxation and days on vacation.
Hotels: a night in a hostel for one person will cost from , in a 3 * hotel - from .
Trains in Sri Lanka: timetable, map
To travel long distances, the local population actively uses mainly two types of transport - buses and railways. Total length railway tracks in the country - 1447 km.
The railway, like buses, is a very inexpensive and popular mode of transport in Sri Lanka. There are only three types in the country public transport: railway, public and private buses.
Sri Lanka train schedule
The current train schedule can be found online, on the Sri Lanka Railways website. Pay attention to the type indicated in the schedule: it can be Express or local- the speeds of these types of trains are different and a short journey, which takes 1.5 hours on an express train, can take 3 hours on a local train. But there are pluses - local trains stop at all stations, and express trains often pass by small railway stations.
Map of railway lines of Sri Lanka
A complete diagram of the railway lines of the island of Sri Lanka. Rail service covers a number of popular tourist destinations: all southwest coast to Matara, Kandy, Peradeniya (Royal Botanical Garden), Nuwara Eliya (the railway station is called Nanu Oya), Pinnawala (Rambukkana railway station), Hatton, Ella and further to Badulla, Jaffna, Mannar, Kalpitiya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and others. From the main transport hub of the country - the city Colombo, by rail, you can reach most of the major cities in the country. Unfortunately, the railway branch to Hambantota has not yet been completed, only its first section to Beliatta was opened in 2019.
Resolution: 2000*3000.
Open the map of railway lines of Sri Lanka in a new tab.
Sri Lanka Railways Online Map
When planning a trip to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, remember that the railway connection is through Colombo, i.e. it is impossible to get from the resort town on the coast to Kandy without a transfer to Colombo.
Also, be careful with the departure time of trains at peripheral stations: trains can not only be late, but also arrive 15-20 minutes earlier than the scheduled time. Plan this time for waiting in order to avoid unpleasant situations.
Directions of the railway lines of Sri Lanka
- Colombo - Matara (southwest), goes along the entire popular tourist resort southeast west coast to Matara. A branch to Kataragama (next to Yala Park) involving resorts such as Dikwella and Tangalle is planned but not yet completed. For 2019, the section Matara - Beliatta (south) was opened, which runs along south coast island, is the first segment of the road Matara - Kataragama.
- Colombo - Puttalam (northwest), the branch runs along the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka, passing through the resort towns of Negombo, Marawila, Chilaw. Close to Puttalam is the kite surfing resort village of Kalpitiya.
- Colombo - Avissawella (center) relatively short railway line towards the center of the island.
- Colombo - Jaffna (North) runs all the way to the north of the country, ending in Jaffna. The line was badly damaged during civil war, were destroyed, but have now been restored, in the areas of the cities of Vavuniya and Killinochchi.
- Colombo - Mannar (North) goes to the northwestern part of the country, along the Mannar Peninsula, from which the Adam's Bridge (a chain of islands to the Indian city of Rameshwaram) begins.
- Colombo - Mihintale (north-central part) in the direction to the north of the island, through the city of Anuradhapura, which is part of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. The city of Mihintale is the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
- Colombo - Badulla (center) goes to the central highlands of the country. Extremely popular with tourists, because. passes through many attractions of the mountainous part: the Peradeniya-Nuwara Eliya section of the path is famous for its landscapes (mountains, tea plantations), Hatton (Adam's Peak), part of the path runs through national park Horton Plains, the cities of Bandarawella, Ella (mountains, waterfalls, plantations), Demodara (Ella-Demodara bridge), to Badulla.
- Colombo - Matali (center) the railway branch goes to the center of the country, a popular tourist destination, passes through the city of Kandy, which is one of the cities of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka and the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, passes through the Pinnavelu (Rambukkana) elephant nursery.
- Colombo - Trincomalee (east) goes through the center of the country to the northeast. Resort town Trincomalee is popular with tourists from May to September, during the season. The railway line is taking over tourist city Avukana, where the attraction of Avukan and Khabaran (tree houses) is located.
- Colombo - Batticaloa (east) runs through the center of the country, to the northeast of the island, separates from the line to Trincomalee at Gal Oya and ends at Batticaloa. Popular with tourists traveling to the resort towns of Kalkud and Passikuda.
Train transfer stations
The junction stations connecting the railway branches are mostly completely small towns, this should be taken into account when planning a route.
The railway network is quite well developed in Sri Lanka and connects mainly large cities. Traveling by train can be more comfortable than by bus (with the exception of third-class carriages). The train schedule can be found on the official website. And routes such as Nuwara Eliya - Ella along the mountain serpentines and Colombo - Galle along the ocean coast are famous for their magnificent scenery and are included in the mandatory visit program.
The railway network in Sri Lanka was originally built by the British in the nineteenth century. And for last years has undergone a huge transformation, going from charmingly old and antique to a comfortable, and on some routes, even quite a fast way to get around. Almost throughout the island, rolling stock was replaced with modern carriages, including new carriages with air conditioning and soft seats. Although it is quite common to see old rusty-red wagons that have been in use since colonial times. In 2014 and 2015, railway lines to Jaffna and Mannar were reopened, which had been closed for decades during the Tamil War.
The number of stops on the same lines varies greatly depending on the train. The express train makes only a few stops, standard intercity trains make more stops, and night mail trains stop at almost every station.
Rail network
The railway network in Sri Lanka consists of nine branches. The main ones are:
- Coastal branch along the west coast from Colombo south to Matara through the popular resorts of Mount Lavinia, Kalutara, Bentota, Beruwala, Aluthgama, Balapitiya Beach, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa.
- From Colombo north along the coast to Puttalam via Negombo and Chilaw.
- To the central mountainous region from Colombo to Badulla via Kandy, Hatton (Adam's Peak), Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya), Haputale, Bandarawela, Ella.
- The northern branch to Jaffna is from Colombo via Kurunegala to Anuradhapura and Vavuniya. There are three additional branches from this line: the first to Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa, the second to Trincomalee, and the third to Madhu Road, Mannar and Talaimannar.
- And small branches from Colombo to Avissawell and from Paradenia to Matale.
Train classes
Trains are divided into three classes: First, Second and Third. Most trains consist exclusively of second and third class carriages. With a difference in the cost of the second and third classes by almost 2-3 times, in fact there are no special differences between them. Outside, the cars are signed: "2" - Second class, "3" - third. The upholstery of the second class seats is softer and there are fans in the cars, but the main bonus is that the second class is usually not so crowded, but this is not a fact (it all depends on the time and direction). Also, third-class carriages do not sell water, fruits and various fast food, which the locals endlessly wear around the carriages, squeezing in the aisles at any filling of the carriage. On some trains, you can book both second and third class seats.
First class is divided into three types of seats that are only available on certain trains and must be booked in advance. These are ordinary seat place in air-conditioned first class carriages on intercity trains; places for viewing in special carriages on routes in mountainous areas; and sleeping quarters on night trains. Recently, in the directions of the northern and central-mountainous regions, new modern blue Chinese-made trains were put into operation, in which, due to the working air conditioner, you cannot open the windows and you are, as it were, cut off from the outside world by deaf tinted windows. Therefore, some passengers prefer second or even third class, in which the windows are always open and the air is fresher, and photos are also better.
Due to the small size of the island, unlike neighboring India, there are only a few overnight trains: Colombo-Badulla Express, Colombo-Batticaloa Semi-Express, Colombo-Trincomalli Semi-Express, Colombo-Vavuniya Semi-Express. They are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class sleeping quarters (actually just recumbents), plus regular seating.
Sightseeing or inspection cars are offered by two independent companies: Expo Rail (tel. 011 522 5050, www.exporail.lk) and Rajadhani Express (tel. 0071 035 5355, http://rajadhani.lk/). Special tourist cars with soft seats and large panoramic windows with a 360-degree view are usually attached at the tail of the train. The carriages are modern, comfortable and air-conditioned, but perhaps the main advantage is that seats can be booked both online and by phone. You can buy a ticket for the observation car only on popular destinations: Colombo-Kandy-Badulla (central highlands) and Colombo-Matara (along the southwest coast), so they fill up very quickly. For example, a ticket in the observation car of Colombo-Kandy will cost about 1,800 rupees ($ 10) one way.
Rates and booking
Despite rising prices, tariffs for Railway tickets still very cheap. For example, you can travel by train from Colombo along the entire southwest coast to Matara (157 km) in second class for only 230 rupees ($ 1.5), and in third class - 130 rupees ($ 0.8); from Colombo north to Jaffna (400 km) will cost the second class 540 rupees ($ 3.7), and the third class - 335 rupees ($ 2.2); and get to East Coast in Trincomalli (300 km from Colombo), a ticket costs 450 rupees ($ 3) for the second class, and 285 rupees ($ 1.9) for the third class.
Many trains now have seats in all three classes that can be booked in advance. Reservations can only be made in two ways: either in person at the main railway stations 30 days before the train departure or by phone. Short number 365 Call Center for mobile operator Mobitel or Etisalat.
| Railway station | phone number | On weekdays | The contact person |
| Colombo Fort | 011-2432908 | 06.00-12.00 and 12.30-14.00 | station master |
| Kandy | 081-2222271 | from 08.00 to 16.00 | station master |
| Badulla | 055-2222271 | from 08.00 to 16.00 | station master |
| Anuradhapura | 025-2222271 | from 08.00 to 16.00 | station master |
| Vavuniya | 024-2222271 | from 08.00 to 16.00 | station master |
Currently, online booking of tickets on the official website http://www.railway.gov.lk/ is not provided.
Hello friends. Today the story will be dedicated to one of the most beautiful routes in Sri Lanka. This trip to the mountain town of Nuwara Eliya by train. Here beautiful scenery, clean air and a small bunch of crazed tourists stuck to the windows of the cars with their cameras. Although the locals admiring the beauties of this stretch of high mountain railway, no less than visitors. Because it's oh so beautiful!
After reading amazing reviews, we included our train trip from Ella as a must.
We read that there are several beautiful train routes, but the most-most is the Nuwara Eliya-Ella train. Ok, we thought, we will fly to Sri Lanka and buy train tickets a couple of days before the trip.
How do we buy train tickets?
It's good that we told our hostess in Kandy about our plans. She immediately said that tickets need to be bought in advance. The route is popular, and even for the usual 3rd class, you may not have time to buy tickets at the box office. And she offered us to buy a 1st class ticket via the Internet. This whole conversation took place a week before the expected date of the trip.
It turned out that the Nuwara Eliya-Ella train is not a tourist route, specially made for Europeans, but the usual route on which local trains travel. The route is one of the oldest.
Trains run differently, there are modern ones with different classes of cars, and there is a cuckoo train. It has several 2nd and 3rd class carriages and specially attaches 1st class tourist carriages from Expo Rail and Rajadhani Express.
On our date and time, it was possible to buy seats in the Expo Rail car. We planned to depart from Nanu Oya station, which is 7-10 km from Nuwara Eliya.
We went to the site and cheers - there were still a few empty seats. The hostess also told us which places to choose. In the car, as in buses, there are seats with full and incomplete windows. With a full course you can see all the beauties, so we bought these places.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what those places were, I don’t remember anymore. It turned out that this is not so important, because. During the trip, we hardly sat. We all the time stuck out in the vestibule and constantly photographed, it was so beautiful.
By the way, not only we were so nimble - all the tourists now and then moved around the car and looked for best places for filming. The weather was not ideal, but you can get the general impression.
Friends, now we are in Telegram: our channel about Europe, our channel about Asia. Welcome)
From Nuwara Eliya to Ela
At Nanu Oya Station, the train arrived 20 minutes late. The trip to Ella lasts 4 hours. We arrived at the station like white people in a car with a driver. We also booked this service in advance. The same hostess of the hotel helped us.
The driver took us to the Nanu Oya station, the suitcases and belongings were left in the car. We boarded the train with only cameras, and Mr. Perera (driver) drove to Ella, where he met us at the platform when our train arrived there. Such maneuvers are done by everyone who books a car with a driver. Very comfortably.
On the way, we often met tea plantations, houses local residents.
The train is not an express train, there were several stations where locals and tourists boarded.
And of course the Sri Lankan landscape - mountains, forests, fields.
On the way, we came across Sri Lankans slowly going about their business.
And oncoming trains.
How much does a ticket cost and how to buy
A ticket to the Expo Rail 1 class car at that time cost 1,000 rupees. Now it costs 1450 rupees.
UPD: the company ceased to exist.
During the tourist season (December-February), tickets must be purchased 1-2 weeks in advance, maybe earlier. If you have calculated your route, it is better to buy in 2-3 weeks.
It is no longer possible to buy a ticket for Expo Rail online. The service is unavailable due to the expiration of the service agreement. The name of the new carrier and the time of the tender are not known.
It is also impossible to buy a Rajadhani Express wagon online.
Each of these companies has its own routes. At Rajadhani Express, for example, trains run from / to. Explore, choose and buy.
Reservation of tickets is now made at the box office at the stations of Badulla, Kandy, Kolombo Fort.
Because during the peak season (December and January), seats in class 1 and 2 carriages are sold out a month before the trip, but at the moment, without online booking It is almost impossible for a tourist to buy a train ticket.
What to do?
Alternatively, ask the hosts of the hotel where you plan to stay before your trip to book tickets. Maybe they will come along for you.
You can see the train schedule here. This is the official website of the railway of Sri Lanka.
In the Start Station line, select NANUOYA from the list, in the End Station line, select ELLE.
Train timetable Nanu Oia Ella
As you can see, the cost of the 1st class carriage is not shown, because this is a tourist car and it is attached to the main train.
The price of the Expo Rail ticket includes food. The carriage has a toilet, a sink; catches free Wi-Fi, you need to ask the conductor for the password. And of course, a large comfortable vestibule where you will spend almost all the time.
The advantage of the first class: passengers of other classes will not enter the car, sellers will not enter and will not pester with their goods. And you will have a polite and always smiling guide.
4 hours passed quickly. The memory card was full, the batteries were dead. We were happy.
On the platform in the city of Ella, our driver met us and took us to the hotel.
Where to stay in Ella
Now many housing options in Sri Lanka have appeared on the service Airbnb. We have written how to use this service. If you do not find a free room in the hotel, then look for accommodation through this booking site.
When we were planning our trip to Sri Lanka, we found out that one of the main attractions of the country is the train! Yes, it's a regular train. More precisely, an English train, since the railway, stations and the trains themselves were built under the British. Since then, they have been working properly to this day, being the main transport in Sri Lanka.
The main advantage of traveling by train in Sri Lanka is beautiful views out the window and dive in everyday life local residents. We decided to definitely take the advice to take a ride on the Sri Lankan train. And now I will tell you about everything you need to know in order to carefully plan such a trip - I will share the train schedule in Sri Lanka, the train map and their routes, and, of course, my impressions. Is it worth it to travel by train in Sri Lanka? Read all the details in the article.
A trip to Sri Lanka is unthinkable without the opportunity to ride on a Sri Lankan train. Trains in Sri Lanka are not an attraction, but a real one vehicle for the people. It suits everyone because of its cheapness and the ability to choose the level of comfort.
Trains in Sri Lanka come in three classes: Class 1 is more expensive and much more comfortable than the rest. Basically, foreigners ride in first-class carriages. The difference between class 2 and class 3 cars is small, they are best suited for budget travelers. The locals usually go there as well.
Most tourists take the train in Sri Lanka solely because of the opportunity to see the unusually inspired views from the train window. Basically, they prefer one direction - to the mountainous country to drive past the tea plantations. But the trip from Colombo to Galle is also beautiful - the iron track goes along the coast and you can admire the Indian Ocean.
Residents of Sri Lanka use the railway not only to ride the train between cities, but also to go on business between small villages. In the photo - Ella, Sri Lanka
And for other sights of Sri Lanka, tourists prefer to travel in comfortable buses (VIP-class, not the people's buses of Sri Lanka, which are just as uncomfortable and dirty as trains) or on rented vehicles with a driver or on their own.
Compared to trains in Myanmar where railway transport also organized by the British, the train in Sri Lanka is more reliable (and new trains have appeared in recent years!). During our we were not able to take the train. He just didn't come. As we later found out, this is a common occurrence there. In Sri Lanka, this almost never happens. Trains run slowly, but still run on schedule.
Boarding the train to Kandy 
Inside an old 3rd class carriage
Railway map in Sri Lanka
A map of train traffic in Sri Lanka will be very useful to understand the route of the trip.
Sri Lanka Railway Map (clickable)
As can be seen from the diagram, four railway lines diverge from Colombo throughout Sri Lanka: to Matara, to Jaffna, to Avisavella and to Peryanagavilla. The remaining branches begin their journey in other major cities islands of Ceylon. The most famous route that tourists are interested in is the train journey from Kandy to Badulla through the mountainous country.
In addition, a branch departs from Maho to Batticaloa (this is the eastern resort town), stopping by the ancient city of Polonnaruwa on the way. So you can definitely get by train from Colombo to Polonnaruwa, which is one of the peaks of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka.
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To find out which train is most convenient for you to travel in the right direction, it is best to familiarize yourself with the schedule of their movement in Sri Lanka. Knowing the exact Sri Lanka train schedule, you can easily change from one train to another and get inexpensively to almost anywhere in the country.
A convenient schedule for all directions is shown in the diagram. It also says in front of each city how long it will take to get from it to Colombo. And also the prices for tickets to all classes of cars are indicated: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In my opinion, this is a very convenient scheme.
Sri Lanka trains have their own website - http://www.railway.gov.lk/ However, it is not particularly useful for travelers, since it is impossible to buy tickets online for them. But you can learn how to transport goods by train and read about the history of Sri Lanka's railways.
- Useful information. You can see the current train schedule in Sri Lanka
How to buy a train ticket in Sri Lanka
Train tickets in Sri Lanka are in most cases easy to buy just before the train leaves. It's very simple. You need to arrive at the station in advance, go to the ticket office, pay for the ticket and get on the train to an empty seat (if there is one). All this applies to 2nd and 3rd class cars. If you do not sit down at the departure station, then most likely you will have to ride standing up.
You can buy tickets for 1st class carriages on a train in Sri Lanka in advance. Ticket sales begin 30 days before the date of the intended travel. Online booking is not possible. You can only buy while in Sri Lanka. In Colombo, you need to come to Fort Colombo to office 17. In other cities and at other stations, the same rule applies. You can also call by phone and book a seat in the 1st class carriage, but only in the direction of Colombo - Kandy. Keep in mind that 1st class tickets sell out very quickly.
How to book a train ticket in Sri Lanka?
You need to call 365 from a local Mobitel SIM card (the national provider of Sri Lanka) and book a seat on the train for the desired date and time. Soon you will receive an SMS with your number. When you arrive at the station, you will need to show this number to the station supervisor or directly at the Mobitel office. You will immediately be given a ticket (M-ticket). The money for the ticket will be debited from your mobile account.
Advice. Travelers often leave railway station in frustrated feelings, as they heard that the train was full and there were no tickets. However, this only means that all 1st class seats have been bought out. 2nd and 3rd class tickets are still on sale. It's just that many Sri Lankans can't believe that the white misters will ride with them.
Stunning views from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train
Which cities can be visited while traveling by train in Sri Lanka
Any trip to Sri Lanka starts in Colombo or Negombo, the closest to international airport Baidanaraika cities. Let's start our acquaintance with the country from its capital - the city of Colombo. Or rather, from Fort Colombo, the main station of the country, from where trains diverge in all directions.
Fort Colombo on the map
North direction: Kandy - Anuradhapura - Jaffna.
- If you go to the north of Sri Lanka, then it is worth getting off the train here to visit the colonial city around the lake and famous Temple Buddha tooth. Very close by is located, which we personally really liked with its rich collection of various plants - trees and flowers. And of course, it is also worth it to get off at the station and spend ancient city one day. End station - jaffna- the capital of the Tamils, may be of interest to those tourists who study all aspects of the life of the country.
- From Fort Colombo you can also go in the direction Negombo and to Peryanagaville station. The interval of trains is every hour.
- A relatively small section of the railway was built from Colombo to Avisabella. Trains run here several times a day.
- From the station Medavaccia begins a new branch - to the island Mannar. The train runs twice a day.
Train to the east coast of Sri Lanka: Maho - Polonnaruwa - Batticaloa and Trincomalee
From the northern branch that goes to Jaffna at the station Maho you can go east, to the coast. On the way to the resort Batticaloa the train stops at . And in Gal Oya you can take a train to Trincomalee, where to sunbathe on almost virgin beaches, which, in comparison, have their own unique flavor.
The most popular train route from Kandy to Ella through the mountain country
Most of the tourists travel around Sri Lanka by train along this route - from to Ella. Although the final station of this route is the city. Why is everyone ignoring Badulla? The colonial city does not outperform Nuwara Eliya in terms of legend and the number of tea plantations and loses to Ella in picturesqueness. Although there is nearby, and for the sake of it, Badulla is still worth a trip.
So, the train starts from Kandy and travels along the route: Hatton(exit for Sri Pada, Adam's Peak) - Nanu Oya (this is the name of the station next to Nuwara Eliya, you need to get off here) - Ohiya(exit to visit Horton Plains Park) - Ella - Badulla.
This is how the train journey from Kandy begins 
Our fellow traveler is a Sri Lankan baby 
Tourists dangle from the running boards to take pictures of the beautiful views.
