The hill country train to Ella

The line from Kandy up through the tea country to Ella climbs from 500 metres to over 1,800 and takes six to seven hours to cover about 140 kilometres. It is regularly called one of the most beautiful railway journeys in the world and, unusually, the description holds up.

The full run or the short version

Kandy to Ella is the whole thing and most of a day. If you would rather not give up a day, board at Nanu Oya — the station for Nuwara Eliya — and ride three to four hours to Ella instead. That covers the most photographed stretch, including the tea estates above Haputale and the descent into Ella.

Most of our itineraries use the shorter leg, which keeps the best of the journey and gives you an afternoon back.

Which class, and which side

First class observation saloon is air-conditioned with sealed windows — comfortable, and the glass ruins the photographs. Second class reserved has fans and windows that open, and is the best balance. Second and third class unreserved have the open doorways everyone has seen photographs of, and in season you may stand for three hours.

Leaving Kandy for Ella, the better views are mostly on the right.

A word about the doorway photographs

They are taken by people hanging out of a moving train, and every year somebody is seriously hurt doing it. Sitting in the doorway with your feet inside is fine and is most of the view. Leaning out around a blind curve on a line with rock cuttings close to the carriage is not.