A scenic train journey is one of the must-do experiences for anyone visiting Sri Lanka. However, due to extremely high demand and limited seat availability, securing train tickets can be very challenging.
Sri Lanka Railways releases tickets to the general public only 30 days before the travel date, and popular routes often sell out within minutes.
As a Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) accredited tour operator, we maintain a limited allocation of train tickets for guests who have booked holidays with us where a scenic train journey forms part of their itinerary. From time to time, we may also have additional tickets available due to last-minute cancellations or itinerary changes, and we are pleased to offer these to other travellers whenever possible.
Please note the following conditions before making a reservation:
- Payment does not guarantee a confirmed ticket. Your reservation will be processed based on ticket availability. If we are unable to secure your requested seats, we will make every reasonable effort to obtain suitable alternatives. If we are ultimately unsuccessful, your payment will be refunded in full.
- Accurate passport details are required. We require either clear passport copies or accurate passport numbers for all passengers, as tickets must be issued under the correct passport details. Incorrect information may result in passengers being denied boarding by Sri Lanka Railways.
- The requested travel class is subject to availability. While you may reserve a specific class (e.g. First Class), availability cannot be guaranteed. If we are only able to secure a lower class than the one you paid for, we will automatically refund the applicable fare difference.
- E-tickets will be issued approximately six (6) hours before departure. We continue working until the last possible moment to secure the best available seats for our customers. For this reason, your e-ticket will only be released shortly before your scheduled departure.
By proceeding with your reservation, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the above terms and conditions.
Ambewela to Ella is the short, spectacular end of Sri Lanka’s hill-country line — just over 50 km that starts on high dairy pasture, crosses the summit of the whole railway, and then falls away down the southern escarpment into Uva.
The ticket covers two afternoon services: Train № 1005, the Podi Menike, and Train № 1015, the Udarata Menike. Both are Colombo Fort–Badulla trains, both take about an hour and fifty minutes over this leg, and seats are reserved against passport details — worth booking well ahead.
The journey
Leaving Ambewela’s open grassland the train climbs a few minutes more to Pattipola, the highest station on the Sri Lankan railway at roughly 1,890 m. Immediately beyond it the line slips through the summit tunnel and the character of the country flips: the cool, wet uplands give way to the drier southern slopes.
Ohiya is next, the alighting point for Horton Plains National Park and World’s End. From there the track runs the Idalgasinna ridge — on a clear afternoon the land drops away on both sides at once — then descends through Haputale, Diyatalawa and Bandarawela, tea estates most of the way, before the last short run past Heel Oya into Ella.
Timings: № 1005 leaves Ambewela mid-afternoon and reaches Ella just before five; № 1015 follows about ninety minutes later and arrives around half past six. Sri Lanka Railways sets and revises the timetable, so please confirm yours close to your travel date.
A note on the Nine Arch Bridge: it is not on this leg. The bridge sits between Ella and Demodara, so on this Badulla-bound service you reach Ella before the bridge. Most visitors walk out to it from Ella town, or take the short onward leg to Demodara.
Highlights:
- The highest stretch of railway in Sri Lanka, crossed in under two hours.
- Pattipola and the summit tunnel just beyond it.
- Ohiya, the rail gateway to Horton Plains and World’s End.
- The Idalgasinna ridge, highlands on one side and the Uva plains on the other.
- Ceylon tea estates from Haputale down through Bandarawela.
Includes:
- Scenic train ride from Ambewela Railway Station to Ella Railway Station aboard Train № 1005 or № 1015.
- All taxes & service charges.
Excludes:
- Hotel pickup & drop-off from/to Ambewela or Ella.
- Food or drinks.
- Expenses of a personal nature.
Choosing your class: 1st Class seats are in an air-conditioned saloon with numbered seats; because the cabin is sealed, the windows do not open. 2nd Class seats are in a non-air-conditioned saloon where the windows open and fans improve ventilation — worth knowing if you plan to shoot through an open window.
