Kandy to Ella Day Trip with Train Ride

Overview

Our private Kandy to Ella day trip combines a scenic drive into the hill country with the most beautiful part of Sri Lanka’s famous railway. We pick you up from your hotel in Kandy, drive you to Nanu Oya near Nuwara Eliya, and put you on the train for about three hours of tea estates, mountain tunnels and valley views to Ella. Your driver meets you in Ella for Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak, then drives you back to Kandy.

This Ella day trip from Kandy is just for your group, with your own air-conditioned car or van and an experienced English-speaking driver. By driving the first part of the way, you skip the slower section of the line and spend your time on the train where the views are best.

Kandy to Ella by train: how does it work?

The full Kandy to Ella train journey takes 6 to 7 hours, which leaves little time in Ella on a day trip. On this tour you drive about 3 hours from Kandy to Nanu Oya and take the Kandy to Ella train ride from there, about 3 hours on the most scenic stretch. The drive back from Ella to Kandy takes 4 to 4.5 hours, so it is a long but unforgettable day of about 15 hours.

Want more time in the hills?

See our 3 nights Ella train and hill country itinerary, with nights in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella.

More day trips from Kandy

Ella is one of many day tours from Kandy that we run with hotel pickup. If you have another free day, here are more private trips you can join from your hotel in Kandy.

Tea estates on a Nuwara Eliya day trip from Kandy

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Sigiriya Lion Rock on a day trip from Kandy

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Gal Vihara on a Polonnaruwa day trip from Kandy

Full day · approx. 12 hrsPolonnaruwa Day Trip from KandyRoyal Palace · Sacred Quadrangle · Gal Vihara

See all day trips from Kandy →

Highlights

Ride the most scenic part of Sri Lanka’s hill-country railway, from Nanu Oya to Ella
Pass tea estates, mountain tunnels and Pattipola, the highest station in Sri Lanka
See the famous Nine Arch Bridge, and maybe a train crossing it
Optional easy walk up Little Adam’s Peak for views over the Ella Gap
Private air-conditioned car or van with an experienced English-speaking driver
Hotel pickup in Kandy at 7:00 or 7:30 am

Pickup · 7:00 or 7:30 am :

Hotel pickup in Kandy

Your driver meets you at your hotel, guesthouse or homestay anywhere in Kandy, and you head south into the hill country through Gampola and the winding Ramboda Pass.

Morning · about 3 hours :

Scenic drive to Nanu Oya

Climb past tea estates and waterfalls, with short photo stops along the way, including Ramboda Falls beside the road, before reaching Nanu Oya station near Nuwara Eliya in time for your train.

Ramboda Falls on the drive from Kandy to Nanu Oya

Around 12:30 to 1:00 pm · about 3 hours :

Train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella

Board the famous blue hill-country train for the most scenic part of the line. For about three hours you wind past endless tea estates, misty mountain tunnels, Pattipola, the highest station in Sri Lanka, and Haputale, before the line loops down to Ella. Your driver drives ahead and meets you at Ella station.

Train ride through the hill country to Ella

Around 3:30 to 4:00 pm :

Nine Arch Bridge

Visit the Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era stone railway bridge set in jungle and tea fields, one of the most photographed places in Sri Lanka. If the timing works, you can watch a train cross the bridge.

Late afternoon :

Little Adam’s Peak (optional)

If you still have energy, take the easy walk up Little Adam’s Peak, about 1 to 1.5 hours return, for wide views over the Ella Gap and the tea-covered hills. You can skip it and relax in Ella town instead.

Around 6:00 pm · about 4 to 4.5 hours :

Drive back to Kandy

Relax on the drive back through the hills, and be dropped off at your hotel in Kandy at around 10:00 to 10:30 pm.

FAQs

Expand all

Can I do a day trip from Kandy to Ella?

Yes. On this tour you drive from Kandy to Nanu Oya, take the scenic train to Ella, visit Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak, and drive back to Kandy the same evening. It is a long day of about 15 hours.

Why do we take the train from Nanu Oya and not from Kandy?

The full train journey from Kandy to Ella takes 6 to 7 hours. Starting at Nanu Oya gives you the most scenic part of the line in about 3 hours and leaves time to explore Ella.

Is the train ticket included?

No. The train ticket is paid by you. We help you book tickets based on availability, and the class depends on which seats are available on your travel date.

How far in advance should I book?

As early as possible, especially from December to April, when the scenic trains sell out quickly. Send us your date and we will check ticket availability for you.

What time does the tour start and finish?

You can choose a 7:00 am or 7:30 am pickup from your hotel in Kandy. You are back at your hotel at around 10:00 to 10:30 pm.

Is Little Adam’s Peak difficult?

No. It is an easy walk of about 1 to 1.5 hours return on a good path with some steps. It is optional, and you can relax in Ella instead.

What should I bring?

Bring a light jacket for the cool hill country, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water and some snacks or a packed lunch for the train.

How many people can join this private tour?

The tour is private for 1 to 7 people, with one price for 1 to 3 people in a car and another for 4 to 7 people in a larger van.

Kandy to Ella Day Trip with Train Ride

Overview

Kandy to Ella by train: how does it work?

Want more time in the hills?

More day trips from Kandy

Highlights

Itinerary

What’s included

Included

Not included

FAQs

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

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