The leisurely train is not only one of the everyday means of transportation for Sri Lankans but also a great way for travelers to experience the country’s natural and cultural landscapes. Along the railway, passengers are treated to stunning scenery—coasts, villages, farmlands, mountains, and tea plantations all pass by the window, offering endless beautiful views.
Sri Lanka’s Highland Tea Garden train route was featured on Lonely Planet’s “the world’s most incredible train journeys to book in 2025” list.
The entire train route stretches nearly 300 kilometers, running from Colombo all the way to Badulla, taking more than 10 hours to complete. Most of this railway was built during the British colonial period, making it over a century old.
Depending on the scenery along the way, the route is generally divided into four sections, allowing travelers to choose the segment that most interests them.
1.Colombo — Kandy
This section mainly passes between cities, offering views of urban scenery.
Upon arriving in Kandy, there are two station options. One is located in the city center, convenient for visiting major attractions such as the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, and the National Museum. The other is an interchange station for the Highland Line, near which you can explore the Royal Botanic Gardens and the University of Peradeniya.
2.Kandy — Nuwara Eliya
This section goes from the city to a small town. Once you arrive, you can visit attractions such as the Pink Post Office, Gregory Lake, and Victoria Park.
This is also the entry point to the most scenic stretch of the Highland Tea Plantations, where you can tour local tea factories.
3.Nuwara Eliya — Bandarawela — Ella
This is the highlight of the entire route, taking about 4 hours. The train winds through towering mountains, offering views of highland tea plantations, seas of clouds, and deep valleys.
4.Ella — Badulla
Although Badulla is the final stop of the route, it lies deeper in the mountains. Train services are less frequent, and travel to and from this section is relatively less convenient.
Notes:
1.Trains in Sri Lanka are divided into first, second, and third class. A unique feature of third-class travel is the distinctly local experience of “hanging out of the train”. You can lean out from the open doors and capture great photos with the train and natural scenery in the background. Since the trains run very slowly, if you’re interested, it’s worth trying once—it’s quite a magical experience.
2.Sri Lankan trains do not announce stops along the way. If you plan to get off at an intermediate station, you’ll need to check the information in advance or ask the staff for assistance.
