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.
The Kandy to Ella train journey follows one of the most celebrated railway routes in the world — a long, slow climb through Sri Lanka's hill country on the Main Line that has been running since the colonial era. Train № 1015, named the Udarata Menike and operated daily by Sri Lanka Railways, forms part of the service connecting Colombo Fort with Badulla. Passengers joining at Kandy ride south and east into the heart of the island's tea country, watching the landscape transform as the track rises through plantation terraces, forest patches, and rolling high moorland.
The scenery between Kandy and Ella is the reason this route draws travellers from across the world. Key intermediate stations include Hatton, the departure point for Adam's Peak, and Nanu-Oya, the railhead for Nuwara Eliya. The track winds through some of Sri Lanka's most productive tea estates, and the stretch running toward Haputale skirts the edge of the high moorlands near Horton Plains National Park. Approaching Ella, the line passes the Nine Arches Bridge, a stone viaduct that has become one of Sri Lanka's most photographed landmarks. On board, vendors board at platform stops to sell snacks, and a snack bar is available in select carriages; there are no sleeping arrangements.
The Udarata Menike carries three classes. First Class is an air-conditioned saloon with reserved, numbered seats and panoramic windows that cannot be opened. Second Class is non-air-conditioned with reserved, cushioned seating; windows open fully and ceiling fans assist ventilation, which also means you can lean out to photograph the view — as passengers in the photographs of this very service do. Third Class seating is unreserved. All reserved tickets are issued in the passenger's full name and passport number, and Sri Lanka Railways officers may verify tickets at any point during the journey; tickets are valid only for the specific train on which they are issued.
Securing a seat on this route takes planning. Sri Lanka Railways opens advance reservations thirty days before the date of travel, and seats on popular trains are taken quickly on the first day the window opens. As an SLTDA-accredited tour operator, Lakpura holds a limited allocation of tickets and, from time to time, has additional seats available from cancellations or itinerary changes. Reservations are processed subject to availability, and making a payment does not in itself guarantee a confirmed ticket.
Practical details are worth reading carefully before you book. Accurate passport details for every passenger are required at the time of reservation; incorrect information can result in passengers being refused boarding by Sri Lanka Railways. If Lakpura can only secure a lower class than the one reserved, the fare difference is refunded automatically. If no ticket can be secured at all, a full refund is issued. E-tickets are released approximately six hours before the scheduled departure. Hotel transfers to and from Kandy or Ella stations, food, drinks, and personal expenses are not included. Travellers are strongly advised to confirm current operating status and timetables directly with Sri Lanka Railways before travel, as schedules on this line are subject to revision.
