The best way to travel from Kandy to Ella is to take the scenic train. This train is famous in Sri Lanka as one of the very best on the island. You can take in views of mountains, tea plantations and waterfalls on the just under 6 hour journey to gorgeous Ella, in the relative cool of the Hill Country.
Kandy To Ella By Train
You can book luxury first-class train seats from Kandy to Ella for around $120Au, 2nd class for$113Au, and 3rd class tickets for $80Au / person. Our links will take you to a site to book tickets and reserve seats. As these trains can get packed, it is essential to have reserved seats. Tickets will be delivered to your Kandy hotel.
It is worth noting that the reverse train journey, from Ella to Kandy, is normally a fraction of the price due to lower demand in the opposite direction. For instance, first-class seats from Ella to Kandy are for sale at only $37 Au. These trains are also less likely to be full. It may be a good idea to travel to Ella by road (see below) and take the scenic train in the return direction. We have done both.
Kandy to Ella by Road
It is cheaper to travel to Ella from Kandy by road. You can book a minivan from around $40Au or a taxi for around $70Au. Book those here and see all transport options, prices, and timetables. The road journey into Sri Lanka’s Highlands is only about 5 hours, faster than the train.
It would therefore make sense to take a car or bus to Ella and travel back on the train. It would save you a lot of money. You could treat yourself to first-class (reserve seats here, $40Au approx) or take a budget 3rd class journey. 3rd class is only a few dollars less on this return journey.
I must admit, I enjoy 3rd class train travel in Sri Lanka, I’d probably choose this option so long as the train wasn’t full. If the train will be packed, as it is likely to be on the Kandy to Ella trip, reserve seats, always. When we made this trip it was standing room only.
Should You Stay in Ella On Arrival?
Yes, you should include a night or two in Ella as part of your Sri Lanka itinerary. It’s a nice little town, particularly good for hikes and exploring tea plantations. The walk to Little Adam’s Peak is particularly famous, with amazing views.
You can also walk out of town a little to get good views of the railway viaduct your train will use. Our photo at the top of the page was taken on this walk.
There are a few temples and waterfalls to see and some good food options in Ella.
Ella is also a popular spot to take a Sri Lankan cooking class.
Where to stay in Ella? For a luxury stay with amazing views try Zion View Ella Green Retreat. For a more moderately priced stay, check out Ella Blue Heaven. Both have family rooms.
Onward Transport From Ella
From Ella, you can continue your journey to Sri Lanka’s southwest beaches. Choose Mirissa, Hikkaduwa or Galle, and on the way fit in a Yala National Park safari tour. This is a very good idea, as the train to the coast can be troublesome. I remember we had a long wait at a station and had to switch between train or bus. Book this transfer with safari here.
Ella to Galle is a 2-3hr van ride and the option with the Yala safari included can actually be cheaper!
I’d recommend Mirissa, for whale watching, or Galle for the stunning old Dutch Fort. Galle Fort is UNESCO listed and the nearby old markets are fascinating. Hikkaduwa is nice, the tsunami memorial is there and there are opportunities to swim with turtles, but it is heavily tourist and you could argue that it isn’t what it was.
Best Time To Visit Ella, Sri Lanka
Ella is located in Uvu Province in the centre of the southern part of the island of Sri Lanka. It is at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 feet). Because it is in the Hill Country it will be cooler than the coast, but it can also be wet. The best time to visit is between January and March, winter, when you have a better chance of dryer weather. The monsoons bring heavy rain to Ella between July and November.
Enjoy Ella! It’s one of our favourite spots in Sri Lanka and we hope to return soon. If you have any questions, the comments section is all yours! We’re here to help. We got married in Sri Lanka and have spent multiple extended periods touring the country, most recently with kids.
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