Ella train: An Unforgettable Experience from Nuwara Eliya 2025

Introduction

Let’s talk about one of the most iconic experiences in Sri Lanka — the train to Ella. We chose to ride it from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, a shorter segment of the famous route, which allowed us to spend more time exploring the beautiful countryside between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.

Most travelers opt for the full Kandy to Ella train ride, which can last anywhere from 6 to 10 hours. While the journey is scenic, it’s long — and by heading straight from Kandy, you’ll miss out on some amazing stops and experiences along the way.

That’s why we recommend taking the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train instead. It offers the best of everything: jaw-dropping views, a relaxed journey, and more flexibility to explore.

In this article, we’ll share our personal story of the Ella train journey from Nuwara Eliya. If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka and dreaming of that unforgettable Sri Lanka Kandy to Ella train experience — read on and see why starting from Nuwara Eliya might just be the best choice.

Read: The perfect 2-Week Sri Lanka Itinerary

Nuwara Eliya Train Station

To catch the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train, you’ll first need to take a short tuk-tuk ride — about 15 minutes — to Nanu Oya train station. As soon as you arrive, you’ll see the ticket counter where you can buy last-minute unreserved seats for either second or third class.

The station isn’t big, but don’t hesitate to ask a railway staff member which platform or area to stand on for your specific carriage. We did just that — once we were on the platform, we checked with an agent to know exactly where our coach would stop. While waiting, we struck up a fun conversation with an older couple from the Netherlands — one of those lovely travel moments that make the ride even more special.

Eventually, the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train pulled into the station — it’s easy to spot because it’s the iconic blue train. If the one arriving isn’t blue, something’s off! We hopped on and found our seats in the third class reserved carriage, which was the only option available when we booked our tickets last-minute.

Tip: Be sure to buy your Ella train ticket in advance online

Train Class

There are five types of carriages on the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train: first class reserved, second class reserved, third class reserved, second class unreserved, and third class unreserved. A good thing to know is that each carriage is assigned to a single class, and once you’re on board, you can’t move between classes.

Not many people choose first class on the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train because it’s air-conditioned — meaning the windows and doors stay closed, which takes away a big part of the experience. Most tourists aim for second-class reserved, as it offers comfort and the chance to enjoy the open windows and doors — but those seats get booked out weeks in advance.

We ended up in third class reserved, and honestly, we loved it. It was lively, scenic, and authentic. Once we arrived in Ella and saw the other carriages from the outside, we felt even more confident we’d made the right choice. If you’re riding the Ella train, don’t overlook third class reserved — it might surprise you.

The main difference between second and third class on the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train is the seat layout and comfort. In second class, seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration, offering a bit more space and comfort. In third class, it’s 2+3, which means slightly tighter seating but still perfectly manageable — especially in the reserved carriage.

The distinction between reserved and unreserved is important. In unreserved class, you buy your ticket last minute, and it’s first come, first served — meaning seats aren’t guaranteed. On busy days, passengers often end up standing for hours. In reserved class, however, you’re assigned a seat, and overcrowding isn’t an issue. If you want to enjoy the journey without stressing about space, reserved is definitely the way to go.

We met a couple who had taken unreserved second class on the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train, and they ended up stranded in the corridor by the door for the entire ride. Since they weren’t carrying backpacks or luggage, it worked out okay for them — but if you’re traveling with bags, it can be pretty uncomfortable and definitely harder to enjoy the views.

In reserved class, on the other hand, you’re guaranteed a seat, and there’s always space on the luggage racks since there are fewer people and no one standing in the aisles. It also makes it much easier to move around, take photos, and really soak in the scenery along this incredible journey.

Tip: Be sure to buy your Ella train ticket in advance online. especially if you want a reserved seat. Tickets sell out quickly, so the earlier you book, the better!

3rd Class & Train Schedule

Our assigned seats weren’t ideal — they weren’t even together — but we got lucky. There was a square seating area that was empty, and it happened to be on the right side of the train, which is where you get the best views on the Nuwara Eliya to Ella train.

As mentioned earlier, we chose to board the train in Nuwara Eliya, making the ride around 3 to 4 hours. Most travelers, however, opt for the full Kandy to Ella train route, which follows the same scenic line but can take anywhere from 6 to 10 hours. Choosing the shorter segment allowed us to enjoy the experience without the exhaustion of a full-day journey.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a direct express train — the Ella train makes plenty of stops along the way. And if you’re wondering why it takes so long, it’s because the track is far from straight! It winds through the hills, tea plantations, and rural villages, which is part of what makes the journey so special.

There are usually two trains per day running from Kandy to Ella. The first one departs Kandy around 8:30 AM, and the second around 11:00 AM. They reach Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) at approximately 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM, and arrive in Ella around 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM respectively. That said, train times in Sri Lanka can vary — so always double-check the schedule in advance.

Also, delays are very common, so stay flexible and just enjoy the ride!

And of course, you can also do the journey in reverse — from Ella to Nanu Oya or even all the way back to Kandy. This direction is said to be less crowded, making it easier to get a reserved seat, even last minute. We met a few travelers who chose this option, and they all said the same: it was more relaxed and just as scenic.

Booking Tickets for the Ella Train

Let’s talk about tickets and reservations. Booking for reserved seats opens 30 days in advance, but unfortunately, many of those tickets are snapped up early by travel agencies, who then resell them at a higher price.

A good tip is to ask your accommodation host in Kandy if they can help you secure tickets in advance. We asked ours just one day before our trip, and the only option left was third class reserved from Nanu Oya to Ella. You can also try going directly to the train station the day before, but keep in mind there’s no guarantee you’ll find a reserved seat that way.

Our host also recommended checking 12GO Asia, a reliable platform for booking trains in Sri Lanka. When we looked, we could only book tickets exactly 30 days in advance — all other dates were already sold out.

We paid 8,000 rupees for two tickets, plus 500 rupees for delivery to our accommodation in Nuwara Eliya, which was in line with the prices listed on 12GO.

We recommend booking your Nuwara Eliya to Ella train tickets through 12GO for peace of mind and convenience — just make sure to book them early!

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Our Journey

In the third class reserved compartment, we had everything we needed for a comfortable ride. There were ceiling fans to help cool things down — though honestly, just sticking your head out the window did the trick and made the ride even more fun.

There was a toilet onboard — not the cleanest, but it’s there for emergencies, which is always good to know on a few-hour journey.

The seats were decent, and we were lucky enough to have four all to ourselves, which gave us a bit of extra space. Every now and then, vendors would pass through the carriage selling snacks and drinks, which added a nice local touch to the experience.

Check our Google Map of Sri Lanka

Recommendation

In the end, we’d 100% recommend doing the journey the way we did — we absolutely loved it.

Our advice? Take a driver from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, and enjoy the stunning road trip along the way. There are so many great stops, like the mountain tower and a local tea factory, that you’d completely miss if you took the full Kandy to Ella train route. Then in the afternoon, hop on the train from Nanu Oya to Ella. This way, you get the best of both worlds — scenic road and iconic rail.

And if you’re wondering which class to choose, we can confidently say: go for third class reserved. It was fun, comfortable, and offered the most authentic experience without the chaos of unreserved carriages.

One last tip: be careful when hanging out of the windows or doors for that perfect shot — signs, tunnels, and trees can appear out of nowhere, so stay alert and safe!

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Where to Stay in Ella

For us, a big part of the travel experience is where you stay. The right accommodation can truly enhance your visit, offering comfort, convenience, and a sense of local charm. Here are some great options we recommend for your stay in Ella:

• ($):  Lavendra Paradise
• ($$): Chill Ville
• ($$$): Tea Cabins

Read: The perfect 2-Week Sri Lanka Itinerary