Frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful train journeys, the blue train route from Kandy through Nuwara Eliya to Ella winds through a landscape of extraordinary, dreamlike beauty — emerald tea estates, rushing waterfalls, tunnel-pierced mountains, and misty highland villages.
The Journey
The full journey from Kandy to Ella takes approximately seven hours, climbing from 465 metres to over 1,800 metres before descending into the Ella valley. The first class observation carriage offers the most coveted seats, with large picture windows and an open-air observation platform.
Key Highlights
The approach to Nanu Oya passes through the highest tea-growing regions of Sri Lanka. The descent into Ella offers extraordinary views across the Hill Country, with the Nine Arch Bridge becoming visible far below before the train rattles across it triumphantly. Book first class observation seats well in advance.
Frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful train journeys, the blue train route from Kandy through Nuwara Eliya to Ella winds through a landscape of extraordinary, dreamlike beauty — emerald tea estates, rushing waterfalls, tunnel-pierced mountains, and misty highland villages.
The Journey
The full journey from Kandy to Ella takes approximately seven hours, climbing from 465 metres to over 1,800 metres before descending into the Ella valley. The first class observation carriage offers the most coveted seats, with large picture windows and an open-air observation platform.
Key Highlights
The approach to Nanu Oya passes through the highest tea-growing regions of Sri Lanka. The descent into Ella offers extraordinary views across the Hill Country, with the Nine Arch Bridge becoming visible far below before the train rattles across it triumphantly. Book first class observation seats well in advance.