By rail · KANDY TRAIN TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 13 kandy train tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before the seat is booked.
Meet at Kandy Railway Station at 9:40 am for a roughly six-hour Ella Odyssey ride. Your paper ticket has a reserved seat in second or third class, with scenic stops for photographs. Ticket delivery is offered before departure, and contacts such as Geesara or Bawantha may assist with arrangements.
“Nice trip by train with gorgeous views of the countryside.”
Travel from Kandy into Sri Lanka’s tea country by train, then explore Nuwara Eliya, Lake Gregory, Ramboda Falls, and Blue Field Tea Factory with a private English-speaking chauffeur guide. The train may be replaced by a car if rail conditions change. Lunch, entrance fees, and gratuities are extra.
“This was a wonderful day out escorted by Indika. He was arrived at the correct time and collected us from a completely different station than planned, and with a smile on his face! Thank you, India. As for the train trip, it completely met our expectations with some great scenery, tea plantations and pickers plus waterfalls at a sedate pace. The visit to Nuwara Eliya and the tea factory on the way home worked well and we were returned to the hotel as promised. After making my schoolboy error, all hat I would suggest is that the station that we should have got off the train at is included in…”
Travel from Colombo through Kegalle to Kandy, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Peradeniya Garden, then ride the blue train toward Nuwara Eliya. You’ll see tea country, waterfalls, and colonial-era hill scenery, with private or small-group transport and an English-speaking guide.
“The train ride was a dream. I can highly recommend it. On day one, after a very short lunch break of just 30 minutes, we were dragged to a jeweler -> then had to watch a video about how the jewelers are made and, at best, buy something. It wasn't on the program and we didn't want to do that anyway. When we arrived at the hotel, everyone looked at us strangely and showed no welcoming hospitality. Day 2: The train ride was great, but then the guide wanted to go back to Colombo. We asked about Grake Esplanade, the tea plantation and the spice market. Esplanade was too far…”
Start with hotel pickup in Kandy, then ride a public train through Sri Lanka’s tea country to Nanuoya. A private chauffeur guide takes you around Nuwara Eliya before driving you back past Ramboda Falls and Bluefield Tea Gardens. Train class depends on availability.
“This is probably the worse tour I have booked via viator. The train ride which was the main highlight of the tour did not happen as there were a strike going on with the Sri Lankan train companies. Our disappointment continues when our suRead more”
Start with a 7:30 a.m. hotel pickup in Kandy, then ride the train to Nanu Oya through Sri Lanka’s hill country. Your chauffeur guide takes you to Nuwara Eliya, Gregory Lake, the old post office, Blue Field Tea Factory, and Ramboda Falls before returning you to Kandy.
“A lovely setting, slightly tired in places but didn't really detract from the beautiful setting. Waiters and waitresses are very attentive. Bravo Dalshan, Rasiha and Ishan. Thank you”
Take Train 1005, Podi Menike, from Kandy or Peradeniya to Ella in about six to seven hours. You will pass villages, tea estates, and the finest scenery between Hatton and Haputale. Choose first or second class, with advance booking arranged by Lakpura.
“The trainride is definitely worth it and a must-do if you visit Sri Lanka. We had reserved 2nd class tickets. The doors were opened regularly to make instragrammable pictures.”
Take Train 1005, the blue Podi Menike, from Kandy to Nanu Oya, the station for Nuwara Eliya. The 3 to 4 hour ride passes plantations and waterfalls, with the best scenery between Hatton and Haputale. Choose first class air conditioning or second class seating.
“Slow train ride through beautiful countryside. Views amazing. Train was quite empty when I travelled maybe lucky. I was in 3rd class. Maybe go in second class for a more comfortable seat.”
Take a reserved-seat train from Kandy to Nanuoya, the station for Nuwara Eliya, in about four hours. Choose open windows in second or third class, or request first class with air conditioning. Expect tea estates, waterfalls, mountain views, and a paper ticket.
“So we found e very very nice guide. It was so awesome he talked with us about everything, he explain about everything, is travelled a lot in this life. For us, it was the most impresive de xperience, he even stayed a night in nuwara ellyia with us, Read more”
Board Train 1015, the Udarata Menike, at Kandy or Peradeniya around 11:00 am for a six to seven-hour ride to Ella. Choose first-class air conditioning or second-class reserved seating. The finest scenery comes between Hatton and Haputale, with tea estates, forests, farms, villages, and tunnels outside your window.
“Viator buy up multiple tickets under the guise of doing travelers a service. This prevents people from buying tickets directly from the railways as they appear to be fully booked. Viator then sell them at greatly inflated prices. The railway priRead more”
Leave your Kandy hotel at 7:30 am, reach the station by 8:00, and take the 8:40 train toward Ella. Your private vehicle, hotel transfers, taxes, and English-speaking driver are included, but train tickets, food, and personal costs are extra.
“Nok noget af det smukkeste natur jeg nogen sinde har set, turen igennem det bjergrige terræn, the plantager, skov og palmer i alle naturens grønne farver, en oplevelse man skal unde sig selv hvis man er i Sri Lanka. Det er ret svært at få billetter hvis man ikke bruger en guide eller et bureau.”
Leave Kandy at 7:30 a.m. with a private English-speaking driver, visit Ramboda Waterfall and Pedro Tea Factory, enjoy lunch and Gregory Lake, then take the scenic train to Kandy. Guide Kajun has earned praise for finding extra photo stops and making the long day personal.
“This Nuwara Eliya tour was everything I didn’t know I needed lush waterfalls, cozy tea plantations, and that dreamy train ride through the hills? Seriously, wow. It felt like we were in a movie the entire time.”
From Kandy, this private two-day trip combines a demanding Sri Pada pilgrimage hike with an Ella train journey. You get pickup, a mobile ticket, and a flexible plan for up to two people. The company contacts named Ek and Mr. Jnaka are noted for practical, responsive arrangements.
“I had an incredible experience with this company. It was an spontaneous trip and we were not sure what to do. Ek gave suggestions for the itinerary adjusted to our budget, and was willing to arrange any requirement to make the trip easier, frRead more”
Travel from Kandy to Colombo Fort by reserved train seat, with an e-ticket sent by email and WhatsApp. The 2 to 3-hour ride is a low-cost way to see Sri Lanka by rail. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged for an extra charge through Nefelibata Travels.
“We had booked a first class ticket with Viator back to Colombo from Kandy. The trains in Sri Lanka are great, and it's easy enough to get a driver if you need one rather than renting a car. While the ride was fine, we had booked First class tickets but were told the day before tRead more”
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