Sri Lanka Train Journey - Nanu Oya to Ella
How We Prepared for It
When my husband Tom and I decided to take a train ride in Sri Lanka last July, I had already seen so many photos on social media of travellers enjoying the famous Colombo to Kandy and Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train journeys. We wanted to find out which route was truly the best.
Since we were planning a tailor-made holiday with Longview Tours, we asked our tour consultant, Madara, for her opinion. She recommended the Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) to Ella route as the most scenic part of the Kandy to Ella train journey—a perfect way to experience Sri Lanka’s hill country.
Why Our Tour Consultant Suggested Nuwara Eliya to Ella
Madara explained that the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train takes about four and a half hours, which can feel long. The Colombo to Kandy scenic train wasn’t an option because our trip began in Sigiriya.
She said the stretch between Nuwara Eliya and Ella is the most beautiful and convenient, taking around two and a half to three hours. The train winds through endless tea plantations, mountain villages, and a few charming waterfalls, a short yet unforgettable part of the best train rides in Sri Lanka.
Our Real Experience
Our train was scheduled for 12:30 in the afternoon, so the morning was relaxed. After checking out from our hotel, we drove about six kilometres from Nuwara Eliya town to Nanu Oya Railway Station. The day before, we had stayed at Goatfell Hotel, a beautiful tea bungalow converted into a boutique property.
The station was quiet and charming, with its British-colonial design, soft mist, and cool mountain air. We collected our physical tickets and waited on the platform, wrapped in the gentle breeze. I worried we might lose the view because of the fog, but our guide, Pathum, assured us the weather would clear once we left town.
He was right. As the train started to climb, the mist lifted, and sunlight began to sparkle across the green slopes of the tea plantations.
Our Real Experience
It was a funny sight once the train gained speed. Many passengers hurried to the open doors, taking turns to pose for photos while leaning out slightly. Everyone was smiling and laughing, trying to capture their perfect shot. Our guide reminded us to be careful, so we followed his safety tips and took our photos without rushing.
The End of the Ride
I don’t remember the exact arrival time, but the journey took about two hours and forty minutes. It didn’t feel that long, because the scenery kept changing—tea pickers at work, waterfalls in the distance, and soft sunlight over the hills. After the first fifteen minutes, the weather turned clear, and the views were breathtaking.
When we reached Ella Station, Pathum was already waiting for us on the platform. That night, we stayed at Ekho Ella Hotel, a lovely property inspired by train cabins and old railway stations. The rooms and decor reflected the charm of Sri Lanka’s train heritage, which felt like a perfect ending to our day.
We ended the day tired but deeply happy—the tea plantation train ride in Sri Lanka and the train-inspired concept hotel together made it one of the most memorable parts of our journey.
Written by Emily, United Kingdom