Sri Lanka's railway routes do not shine with a particular variety, it is much faster and more comfortable to travel around the country by bus. But there is one case when it is worth sacrificing comfort and using the services of ShZhD, do not worry, the mesmerizing mountain landscapes will not let you regret it for a minute.
Of course, you shouldn't be too fanatical about trains, unless you are traveling in first class, otherwise, you run the risk of tireing your body. We will start our journey from Bandarawela station and will move towards Nuwara Eliya, after a short stop we will continue on to Kandy.
This is how a typical railroad station, looks like the station of some unnamed town in the Wild West, except that the lush vegetation and the absence of Clint Eastwood are a little embarrassing:
The interior is very ascetic: ticket offices (open half an hour or an hour before the arrival of the train), a controller and a board with a timetable:
Carefully placed railings will not let you get lost on the way to the ticket office:
After each train departure, a new schedule is manually posted on the scoreboard and the departure time is set:
Each station has a boss who can be recognized by his white uniform and concentrated look:
Well, let's go to see this very mountainous Sri Lanka:
Our train is gaining altitude:
The number of tea plantations increases in direct proportion to this:
Waterfalls are often found in the mountains:
Sri Lanka is an agricultural country and if the coast of the island is a pan-Lankan health resort, then the mountainous regions can be safely called a granary, all food is grown here:
Cabbage, carrots, potatoes ...
Small reservoirs are built for irrigation of fields:
There is also a place for landscape design in the mountains; for the convenience of growing, the following terraces are cut:
A considerable number of tunnels add a special charm to the route:
And the carbon monoxide gas spreading in them:
There are beautiful narrow tunnels, but keep yourself in control and don't lose your head:
Do not deny the pleasure of feeling like a hare:
True, it happens that all the seats are occupied by others:
By the way, about hares, they are caught by conductors in the form of people's commissars, who check the availability of a ticket and its compliance with the social class.
After checking the ticket, do not rush to get rid of it, there is another degree of protection, the ticket must be returned at the exit from the station:
In case of its loss, you will need to pay a penalty for the loss of inventory:
Trains are very often late, especially in the mountains, this is due to the wear and tear of the railway floor, which is in a state of permanent repair. Here you can go, go, and then stand for 30 minutes and wait until the repair work on this section is completed, although, most likely, they will simply lay the rails for you, so that they can be immediately disassembled:
Sri Lankan trains fair sex:
It is very difficult to stay hungry on the train, sellers of edibles run regularly.
Almost all railway routes are single-track:
Therefore, at the stations you often have to wait for the oncoming train to miss each other:
Specific arrow translation:
Road to Kandy:
By the way, there is no direct train to Kandy, at the Peradeniya station you will need to make a change, while the ticket is the same.
Now let's talk a little about classes, on long-haul flights there are three classes: 3, 1, 2. In different trains, the first class can be: sleeping compartment (for two people), sitting compartment, with air conditioning in the carriage or with preliminary reservation of a seat. The second class is usually seating, with fans and without prior reservation of a seat (recommended for short-term trips, no more than 2-3 hours). Third class - seating with a huge number of local people in the car.
The cost of each class is almost twice as high as the previous one.
This is how the second class carriage of the Colombo-Kandy train looks like:
And this is the second class carriage of Negombo-Colombo:
Good luck and smooth track!
When we were planning our trip to Sri Lanka, we learned that one of the main attractions of the country is the train! Yes, an ordinary train. More precisely, an English train, since railway, stations and the trains themselves were built under the British. Since then, they have been working regularly to this day, being the main transport in Sri Lanka.
The main advantage when traveling by train in Sri Lanka is beautiful views out the window and dive into daily 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, a map of trains and their routes, and, of course, my impressions. Should you travel by train in Sri Lanka at all? Read all the details in the article.
A trip to Sri Lanka is unthinkable without the opportunity to ride a Sri Lankan train. Trains in Sri Lanka are not an attraction, but a real vehicle for the people. It suits everyone because of its cheapness and the ability to choose the level of comfort.
Trains in Sri Lanka are of three classes: Class 1 is more expensive and much more comfortable than the rest. Mostly foreigners travel in first class carriages. The difference between class 2 and 3 carriages is small, they are best suited for budget travelers. Local residents also usually go there.
Most tourists take the train in Sri Lanka solely for the opportunity to see the incredibly inspiring views from the carriage window. Basically, they prefer one direction - to the mountainous country to drive past tea plantations. But the trip from Colombo to Galle is also wonderful - the railway runs along the coast and you can admire the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lankans use the railroad not only to ride the train between cities, but also to do business between small villages. In the photo - Ella, Sri Lanka
And to other attractions of Sri Lanka, tourists prefer to travel in comfortable buses (VIP-class, and not the Sri Lankan public buses, which are just as inconvenient and dirty as trains) or on rented transport with a driver or on their own.
Compared to trains in Myanmar, where railway transport were also organized by the British, the train in Sri Lanka is more reliable (and in last years there were also new compositions!). During our time we were unable to catch 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 time.
Boarding the train in Kandy 
Inside an old class 3 carriage
Railway map of Sri Lanka
A train map 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 rest of the branches start their way in others large cities Ceylon islands. The most famous route that is interesting to tourists is the train journey from Kandy to Badulla through the mountainous country.
In addition, a line runs from Maho to Batticaloa (this is an 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 the most convenient for you to travel in the right direction, it is best to familiarize yourself with their timetable in Sri Lanka. Knowing the exact train timetable Sri Lanka, you can easily change from one train to another and get inexpensively 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 takes to get from it to Colombo. And also the prices for tickets to all classes of carriages 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 the railways of Sri Lanka.
- Helpful information. Look current schedule trains in Sri Lanka you can
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 take the train on free place (if any). All this applies to class 2 and 3 carriages. If you do not sit at the departure station, you will most likely have to ride standing.
You can buy tickets for class 1 carriages for a train in Sri Lanka in advance. Ticket sales start 30 days prior to the date of the intended travel. You won't be able to book online. You can only buy while in Sri Lanka. In Colombo, you need to go to Fort Colombo to office 17. In other cities and at other stations, the same rule applies. You can also make a phone call and book a seat in the 1st class carriage, but only in the direction of Colombo - Kandy. It should be borne in mind that 1st class tickets fly very quickly.
How to book a train ticket in Sri Lanka?
You need to call 365 from a local Mobitel SIM card (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, this number will need to be shown to the station supervisor or directly at the Mobitel office. You will be immediately given a ticket (M-ticket). The money for the ticket will be debited from your mobile account.
Advice... Travelers very often leave the railway station in frustration, as they heard that the train is full and there are no tickets. However, this only means that all 1st class seats have been bought. Tickets for grades 2 and 3 are still on sale. It's just that many Sri Lankans all cannot believe that the White Misters will ride with them.
Magnificent views from the Kandy - Nuwara Eliya train
What cities can be visited while traveling by train in Sri Lanka
Any travel in Sri Lanka begins in Colombo or Negombo, the closest to international airport Baydanarayke 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 depart in all directions.
Fort Colombo on the map
North direction: Kandy - Anuradhapura - Jaffna.
- If you head to the north of Sri Lanka, it is worth getting off the train here to visit the colonial city around the lake and the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic. Nearby is located, which we personally liked very much for its rich collection of various plants - trees and flowers. And of course, it is also worth getting off at the station and taking ancient city one day. End station - Jaffna - the capital of Tamils, can be interesting for those tourists who study all aspects of the country's life.
- From Fort Colombo, you can also go in the direction Negombo and to Peryanagavillu station. The train interval is every hour.
- A relatively small section of the railway is built from Colombo to Avisavella... Trains run here several times a day.
- A new line starts from the Medavaccia station - 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 north line 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 with have their own unique flavor.
The most popular train route from Kandy to Ella in the mountainous country
Most tourists travel to 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 win over Nuwara Eliya in legendaryness and the number of tea plantations and loses to Ella in scenic beauty. Although there are nearby, and for the sake of him, Badulla is still worth a trip.
So, the train starts from Kandy and travels along the route: Hatton (exit for Sri Pada, Peak Adam) - Nanu Oya (this is the name of the station next to Nuwara Eliya, you need to exit here) - Ohiya (exit to visit the Horton Plains Park) - Ella - Badulla.
This is how the train journey from Kandy begins 
Our travel companion is a Sri Lankan baby 
Tourists hang from footpegs to take pictures of the beautiful views
One of the most popular routes for independent travel passes from the capital of Sri Lanka Colombo to cultural Center islands - the city of Kandy and, further, to the picturesque high-mountainous regions. In this article I will tell you about all the ways to get from Colombo to Kandy, their cost, duration, pros and cons of plane, train, bus, taxi and car rental.
In this article, you will learn:
1 | Airplane is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Kandy
If you arrive in main airport Sri Lanka, Bandaranaike International Airport, then you can, without stopping in the city of Colombo, go directly to Kandy by plane, or rather by seaplane.
Flight time Colombo to Kandy - 1 hour.
In Kandy, the plane lands on the water of the Mahauely River. The landing site of the aircraft is called Polgolla Reservoir Airport (KDZ) and it is located 5 kilometers north of the center of Kandy. The taxi ride from the airport to the city center and to the famous landmark, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, will take about 20 minutes.
The main plus aircrafthow to get from Colombo to Kandy - fast.
Minus aircraft is the most expensive way to get to Kandy.
2 | Colombo to Kandy by train
The train is probably the most popular way to get from Colombo city to Kandy. Note, not from the airport, but from the city. The train departs from the main train station - Colombo Fort, which is located in the center of the old town.
The road from Colombo to Kandy will take about 3 hours (if the train is not late). The train arrives at the main train Station Kandy, which is located in the heart of the city (1 km from the Temple of the Tooth Relic).
Train ticket price in a second class carriage - about $ 15, a seat in a first class carriage (with air conditioning) - $ 18.5. second and first grade can be bought in advance. Tickets purchased on the website must be received in paper form ( e-tickets the railway does not accept yet) - tickets will be delivered to your hotel in Colombo for $ 10.
Colombo - Kandy train schedule (source:) Tickets for third-class carriages are the cheapest (cost a couple of dollars) and are sold at the station ticket offices in unlimited quantities. Therefore, you can always leave. The only question is in what conditions and in how crowded the carriage is. Please note that the Colombo-Kandy route is very popular with the local population and there are often a lot of people crowded into the cars.
If the thought of traveling for several hours in the tropical heat and "fragrant" tightness does not please you, then it is better to go to a second or first class carriage.
The main plus of the train how to get from Colombo to Kandy - low price.
Minus train - not convenient way for travelers with children and large suitcases. The road, after all, will consist of several stages: first you need to get from the airport to the city of Colombo, get or buy train tickets, and upon arrival, you will most likely need a taxi to get from the station to your hotel in Kandy.
3 | Colombo to Kandy by bus
From the central bus station Colombo you can go to Kandy by bus. You can use cheap government buses, which will cost you a few dollars, but it is difficult to call such a trip comfortable - the seats are narrow, the conditions are Spartan, and the duration of the trip is unpredictable.
I recommend using more convenient option - comfortable tourist bus Colombo - Kandy, a ticket for which you can buy for $ 6 on the Klook website.
Bus schedule: bus route A (Colombo - Kandy) departs from the station in the center of Colombo every day at 18:25 and arrives at central Bus Station in the center of Kandy city at 21:45.
The main plus of the bus - low price and at the same time comfortable travel conditions (if we talk about a tourist bus).
Minus the bus - just like trains, this is not the most convenient option to get from Colombo to Kandy for travelers weighed down with luggage.
4 | Colombo to Kandy by car rental
A car of the desired class and configuration can be booked on the EconomyBookings or Rentalcars website, received directly at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport and immediately set off on a trip to the sights of Sri Lanka, without being tied to train or bus schedules, saving on transfers and taxis.
Car rental cost - from $ 30 per day.
This method is suitable for experienced drivers who are ready to adapt to the rather chaotic driving style of local residents and dodge brazen buses.
The main plus of a car rental - freedom of movement.
Less car rental - This is a very nervous activity, driving on the roads of Sri Lanka.
5 | Transfer (taxi) from Colombo to Kandy
Indisputably this the most convenient way get from the airport or the city of Colombo to Kandy. At any time you will be picked up from the airport or from your hotel in Colombo and transferred to your hotel in Kandy. No additional manipulations with the search for local taxis from the hotel to the train station or from the train station to the hotel, no transfer of suitcases from one vehicle to another.
Transfer to Kandy from Colombo airport or from your hotel in Colombo city can be ordered .
Transfer cost from Colombo to Kandy - from $ 72 per car.
You can get from Colombo to Kandy by bus, taxi and train. We recommend that you travel by train. Since it is not only the cheapest and fastest, but also more interesting and safer.
A train
At the Colombo Fort station we find the 3rd path. There are several of them, so we need the most extreme platform near the station building. By the way, “helpers” work actively at the station, peasants who will kindly show you which route and train, and then ask for money. We gave such a friend 100 rupees, although he asked for 1000.
Advice: buy tickets Colombo - Kandy 2-3 days in advance, as there may not be enough seats
This is how the required platform looks from the pedestrian bridge:
Tickets to Kandy cost approximately per person
1st class: 500 rupees
2nd class: 250 rupees
3rd class: 100 rupees
A train arrives to Kandy. First class car in front:
How to find out what class the carriage is?
On each carriage there is a number near the door indicating the class of the carriage. First class cars have a modern look.
We go into the train. From Colombo to Kandy, we went in first class. Of course, this car is worth its money. Clean and modern. Merchants don't come here. Air conditioners are working at full capacity, warm clothes will come in handy.
Colombo-Kandy train. 1st class carriage
First class train tickets look like an A4 printout. Second and third class tickets look something like this:
While driving, you can sleep, watch Indian films on monitors or enjoy beautiful views:
After 4 hours we arrived at the station of the city of Kandy:
Waiting room
Where can I book an airport transfer?
We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online, paid with a card. We were greeted at the airport with a sign with our name. Drove to the hotel in a comfortable car. They have already told about their experience in this article.
How to use this thing remained a mystery to us:
Externally, the station building looks like this:
Hotels in Kandy
- Hantana Home Stay
- 38b Homestay Heerassagala
- Mountain View Holiday Home
- Greenwood edge hanthana
- Hill city mansion - hotel near the station
All hotels on Booking.com
Return journey: Kandy - Colombo train
2nd class wagons
We were unable to buy return tickets to 1st class, as we bought them on the day of departure, so we went in a second class carriage without reserved seats and without air conditioning. That is, whoever got up first got the slippers.
There are no air conditioners, but there are ceiling fans. I can't say that the heat was unbearable, the windows are open and it blows well, it is much hotter in our trains in summer
There were a lot of people, there were not enough seats for all, so we drove at first while standing. Our company consisted of 4 girls and one man. We must pay tribute to the Sri Lankans, they extremely showed themselves on the good side and gave way to women. Katya and I changed places and in 4.5 hours we reached Colombo in this way.
3rd class wagons
The cars are not much different from the 2nd class, they are exactly the same shabby. They also have wooden seats for 3 people and more people are packed.
You can cool down while driving on the street. Sri Lanka's train doors never close
You can also have a snack while traveling or at stops. Traders of some incomprehensible food and cold drinks are constantly strolling along the train, singing another tongue twister in their own language. By the way, traders do not enter class 1 carriages.
Is it safe to travel around Sri Lanka by train?
Our opinion is quite safe. We traveled by train several times in Sri Lanka, never a single criminal incident, either with tourists or with locals. Follow normal safety rules and you will be fine.
Transfer Colombo - Kandy by taxi
It is possible to order a transfer to Kandy from Colombo or from your hotel in the resorts of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Bentota. Prices vary depending on where you are. You can order a taxi in Kandy via the Internet by this link \u003e\u003e
Book a transfer to Kandy online
