Kandy to Ella: Go by Car to Nanuoya & take the Train to Ella
Discover Sri Lanka on a day trip from Kandy to Ella. Visit Ramboda Falls, explore tea plantations, & ride the famous train from Nanu Oya to Ella, passing the Nine Arch Bridge. (Included Train Tickets)
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Duration 7 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English, Singhalese, Italian, German (On request)
Private group
Your private air-conditioned vehicle and chauffeur driver
What is the Kandy to Ella Train Journey?
The Kandy to Ella railway is globally celebrated as one of the most picturesque train rides on Earth. By traveling the first leg from Kandy to Nanu Oya by private vehicle (stopping at Ramboda Falls and a Ceylon tea factory), travelers avoid the slower 7 hour train delays and board the blue train at Nanu Oya for the breathtaking 3 hour ride across the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge straight into Ella. Reserved train tickets cost approximately $30 to $41 per person including private luggage transfer.
Experience Overview
The Sri Lanka Main Line was originally constructed in the late 19th century by the British colonial administration to haul premium Ceylon tea down from the cloud-shrouded central mountains to the port of Colombo. Today, this vintage broad-gauge railway represents an iconic bucket-list expedition for world travelers.
On this curated day trip, Thurya Voyages combines the comfort of private luxury road transport with the magic of the train. Your licensed chauffeur picks you up from your Kandy hotel in an air-conditioned sedan or passenger van. As you climb through the cool central highlands along the winding A5 highway, you visit the thundering two-tiered Ramboda Falls and tour a historic tea plantation to see orthodox tea processing.
At Nanu Oya Railway Station (elevation 1,613 meters), your chauffeur hands you your pre-reserved train tickets and helps you board the blue passenger train. While you relax and watch the emerald mountains, eucalyptus groves, and cascading ravines drift past your window, your driver safely transports your heavy suitcases by road to Ella, meeting you right at the Ella station platform when you arrive.
Excursion Highlights
Step-by-Step Itinerary
Hotel Pickup in Kandy
Your English-speaking chauffeur guide meets you at your Kandy hotel lobby in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Depart towards the central mountain ridge.
Ramboda Falls & Tea Estate Tour
View the roaring 109-meter Ramboda Falls. Continue to Damro Labookellie Tea Estate for a guided walk through lush tea bushes and taste fresh Broken Orange Pekoe tea.
Nanu Oya Station to Ella Train Ride
Arrive at Nanu Oya Railway Station. Board your reserved carriage on the blue train. Glide past cloud forests, vegetable terraces, Idalgashinna station, and tea hills.
Arrival in Ella & Nine Arch Bridge
Cross the stone arches of the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge and pull into Ella Railway Station. Meet your chauffeur waiting on the platform with your luggage.
Included
- • Reserved train tickets (2nd or 1st class)
- • Private air-conditioned vehicle from Kandy to Nanu Oya
- • English-speaking licensed chauffeur driver
- • Safe luggage transfer directly to Ella hotel
- • Ramboda Falls & tea factory entry
- • Bottled mineral water throughout the drive
Excluded
- • Personal lunch and alcoholic beverages
- • Gratuities for chauffeur and train attendants
- • Optional activities in Ella town
Reliable Sources & Verified Citations
All operational claims, railway schedules, elevations, and historical data on this page have been verified through official Sri Lankan state bodies:
- 1. Sri Lanka Railways (SLR): Timetables, seat booking classes, and Ceylon Main Line route data. Official portal: railway.gov.lk
- 2. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA): Chauffeur guidelines, tea factory tourism accreditations, and regional safety protocols. Official portal: srilanka.travel
- 3. Department of Archaeology Sri Lanka: Architectural history and preservation records for the 1921 Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. Official portal: archaeology.gov.lk
Frequently Asked Questions
Why take the car to Nanu Oya and board the train from there?
What train tickets are included with Thurya Voyages?
What happens to our luggage while we are on the train?
What is the best time of year for the Ella train journey?
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