Quick answer
The Nanu Oya to Ella train with kids takes roughly two and a half to three hours and covers the most scenic part of Sri Lanka's hill-country line, through tea estates, cloud forest and more than 20 tunnels. Families drive from Kandy to Nanu Oya in about three hours with a tea factory stop, then board with only a day bag while the driver takes the luggage to Ella. Reserved second class, with windows that open, suits most children best.
Key takeaways
- Nanu Oya station is about eight kilometres from Nuwara Eliya and roughly three hours by road from Kandy.
- The line reaches its highest point near Pattipola, at about 1,890 metres, between Nanu Oya and Ella.
- Reserved seats on Sri Lanka's hill-country trains are released about 30 days ahead and sell out quickly in peak months.
- Carriage doors stay open throughout the journey, and falls from doorways cause serious injuries every year.
- First class is air-conditioned with sealed windows; reserved second and third class have windows that open.
Why Nanu Oya is the right place to board
The Nanu Oya to Ella train with kids keeps the part of the journey people travel for. West of Nanu Oya the line climbs slowly through lower hills; east of it the train runs along ridges at over 1,500 metres, past Pattipola, Ohiya, Haputale and Bandarawela, with drops falling away on both sides.
The full ride from Kandy takes six to seven hours and often runs late. By road, Kandy to Nanu Oya takes about three hours with a tea factory and a waterfall on the way, so the family arrives at the station fresh. The train is then a treat, not an endurance test.
Which class to book
Class matters more with children than without. Reserved second class is the usual family choice: numbered seats, fans and windows that slide open for the breeze and the view. Reserved third class is similar with slightly harder benches. Both are far better than unreserved carriages, which can be standing room only.
First class has air conditioning and sealed windows, cooler and quieter but a little removed from the hills outside. Some trains carry an observation saloon at the rear with large windows. Whatever the class, book the moment seats are released, about 30 days ahead.
- →Second class reserved: open windows, best all round.
- →First class: air conditioning, good for babies and grandparents.
- →Unreserved: avoid with children in peak season.
Doors, windows and platforms
Safety on the hill-country train comes down to the doors. They stay open, the train sways, and photographs of travellers leaning out have made the doorway fashionable. Children should not sit or stand in a doorway at any time, and adults who do so set the example.
Windows open wide enough for a small child to lean through. Seat young children in the aisle seat or on a lap, and keep arms and heads inside, since vegetation and tunnel walls pass close. On platforms, hold hands until the train has stopped completely.
- →Sit mid-carriage, away from the doors.
- →One adult for each child under six.
- →Agree the rules before boarding, not during.
Food, toilets and boredom
Food on the train arrives by itself. Vendors walk the carriages with baskets of vadai, samosas, peanuts, fruit and sweet milk tea. Children enjoy the theatre of it. Bring water, plain snacks and wet wipes as well, in case the baskets are too spicy.
Toilets exist in every carriage and are basic: often a squat pan, sometimes a seat, rarely any paper. Take small children before boarding and carry tissues and hand sanitiser. Boredom is uncommon on this stretch, but a pack of cards covers a delay.
Tickets, luggage and the driver
Logistics are easy with a private driver. The driver drops the family at Nanu Oya, sees you onto the right carriage and then takes the suitcases to Ella by road, usually arriving first. You step off the train with a day bag and are at the hotel in ten minutes.
Trains on this line are frequently 30 to 60 minutes late. Check the departure with the stationmaster on arrival and let children watch the signals and the hand-operated points. The platform at Nanu Oya is at about 1,600 metres and can be cold and wet; keep jumpers out of the luggage.
- →Carry tickets, passports or copies, water, snacks, jumpers and rain jackets.
- →Photograph the carriage and seat numbers.
- →Agree a meeting point at Ella station.
Where it fits, and the alternatives
The train fits day five of the family 10-day route, between one night in Kandy and two in Ella. When reserved seats are sold out, alternatives exist: boarding at Haputale for the last hour and a half, or riding from Ella to Demodara and back to see the Nine Arch Bridge from the train.
A day when the train does not work out is not a disaster, because the road from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is beautiful too. Lankan Stays & Trails books reserved seats as soon as they are released and holds a road plan in reserve.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Nanu Oya to Ella?
The train from Nanu Oya to Ella takes roughly two and a half to three hours when it runs to time. Delays of 30 to 60 minutes are common. The distance is short, but the line is steep, winding and single-track.
Is the Ella train safe for children?
The Ella train is safe for children who stay seated and away from the open doors. The real risk is falling from a doorway or leaning from a window. Reserved seats in the middle of a carriage and close supervision remove most of it.
Which side of the train is best from Nanu Oya to Ella?
Views change sides repeatedly between Nanu Oya and Ella. The right-hand side in the direction of travel is often recommended for the first half and the left for the approach to Ella, but with open windows both sides see plenty.
Can I take a pushchair on the Sri Lanka train?
A folded pushchair can go on the train, though space is tight and steps up from the platform are high. Most families leave it in the car with the luggage and carry babies in a sling for the journey.
Are there toilets on the Nanu Oya to Ella train?
There are toilets in each carriage on the Nanu Oya to Ella train. They are basic, sometimes squat-style, and may lack paper and soap. Bring tissues and hand sanitiser, and take young children to the station toilet before boarding.
What if train tickets are sold out?
If reserved tickets are sold out, a family can board at a later station such as Haputale for a shorter ride, try for unreserved tickets on the day, or travel by road. The drive from Nuwara Eliya to Ella takes about two and a half hours.