Quick answer
Day 6 of the 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary for Swiss travellers is the transfer from Kandy to hill country, either Ella or Nuwara Eliya, roughly two to three hours by road. Many travellers instead take the Kandy-Ella scenic train from Kandy or nearby Peradeniya, a journey of roughly six to seven hours covering some of the island's best-known tea-country views, while their driver-guide takes the luggage by road to meet them. Both options work; the train needs booking well ahead, especially for December-to-March dates.
Key takeaways
- The direct road transfer from Kandy to Ella or Nuwara Eliya takes roughly two to three hours, noticeably faster than the train.
- The Kandy-Ella scenic train covers a similar route in roughly six to seven hours, valued for the views rather than speed.
- Reserved second-class seats on the scenic train should be booked well in advance, particularly for December-to-March travel dates when demand is highest.
- A common approach is for travellers to take the train while their driver-guide transfers the luggage by road, meeting again at the hill country base.
- Nuwara Eliya sits noticeably higher and cooler than Ella, so the choice of base affects both the transfer and the climate for the following day.
Road or train: the day 6 decision
Day six's transfer from Kandy into hill country is the one point on this 10-day route where the mode of transport itself becomes part of the experience rather than a means to an end. A direct road transfer takes roughly two to three hours and is the faster, more flexible option, particularly useful if travel dates or seat availability rule out the train.
The alternative, and the more popular choice among first-time visitors, is the Kandy-Ella scenic train, which runs through tea estates, tunnels and mountain scenery that is genuinely difficult to see properly from a car window at the same pace.
The Kandy-Ella scenic train
The Kandy-Ella scenic train, boarding at Kandy railway station or sometimes nearby Peradeniya, takes roughly six to seven hours to reach Ella, considerably longer than the road option but widely regarded as one of the most scenic rail journeys in Asia. The route climbs steadily through tea country, with views over terraced hillsides, waterfalls and small hill towns along the way.
Reserved second-class seats, offering a numbered seat and generally the best balance of comfort and views, sell out well ahead of travel dates, especially across the December-to-March high season, so booking as early as possible is worth prioritising over most other logistics on this trip.
First class and observation-car options exist on some services with air conditioning and slightly more comfort, though many travellers prefer the open windows of second class for photography and airflow, particularly given hill country's cooler climate compared with the coast.
- →Typical journey time: roughly six to seven hours from Kandy to Ella.
- →Reserved second-class seats should be booked well ahead, especially for December-to-March travel.
- →Open windows in second class suit photography better than some air-conditioned first-class carriages.
The road transfer option
A direct road transfer from Kandy to Ella or Nuwara Eliya takes roughly two to three hours, winding through hill country roads that themselves offer good scenery, if without the specific charm of the train. This is the more time-efficient option and suits travellers who prefer not to commit to a full-day train journey, or whose dates make train tickets hard to secure.
A common compromise on this route is for travellers to take the train while their driver-guide transfers the luggage and vehicle by road separately, meeting again at the hill country hotel in the late afternoon or evening. This way the scenic train experience does not require managing bags on and off a crowded platform.
- →Road transfer time: roughly two to three hours from Kandy to Ella or Nuwara Eliya.
- →A driver-guide can transfer luggage separately by road while travellers take the train unencumbered.
- →The road route itself passes through scenic hill country, a reasonable option when the train is not available.
Choosing Ella or Nuwara Eliya as the hill country base
Ella sits at a lower elevation than Nuwara Eliya and has a milder climate, still cool in the evenings but rarely uncomfortable, and is the more popular base for travellers wanting an easy walking pace with sites such as the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak nearby.
Nuwara Eliya sits noticeably higher and cooler, with evenings that can feel closer to a mild Swiss autumn than anywhere else on this route, and suits travellers more interested in tea estate visits, colonial-era architecture, or a day trip to Horton Plains for World's End.
Making day 6 run smoothly
Whichever option is chosen, arriving in hill country by early evening leaves enough time to settle in, have dinner, and rest ahead of a full day of hill country activities on day seven. Packing a light jumper or fleece in carry-on luggage for this leg is worth doing regardless of transfer method, since hill country evenings are noticeably cooler than anywhere visited so far on the route.
Lankan Stays & Trails books the scenic train well ahead for travellers who want it, coordinating the driver-guide's separate road transfer of luggage so the day runs smoothly regardless of which option is chosen.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Kandy-Ella train take?
Roughly six to seven hours, considerably longer than the two-to-three-hour road option, but valued for its views over tea estates, waterfalls and mountain scenery along the way.
Do you need to book the Kandy-Ella train in advance?
Yes, reserved second-class seats should be booked well ahead of travel, particularly for the December-to-March high season when demand is strongest and seats sell out early.
What happens to your luggage if you take the Kandy-Ella train?
A common arrangement is for the driver-guide to transfer luggage and the vehicle separately by road, meeting travellers again at the hill country hotel, so the train journey does not require managing bags on a crowded platform.
Is Ella or Nuwara Eliya the better hill country base?
Ella is milder and suits an easy walking pace with sites like the Nine Arch Bridge nearby, while Nuwara Eliya is noticeably cooler and suits travellers more interested in tea estates and a day trip to Horton Plains for World's End.
Is the road transfer from Kandy to Ella a reasonable alternative to the train?
Yes. It takes roughly two to three hours, considerably faster than the train, and passes through scenic hill country roads, making it a sensible option when train tickets are unavailable or a full-day journey does not suit the schedule.
What class should you book on the Kandy-Ella train?
Reserved second class is the most commonly recommended option, offering a numbered seat with open windows that suit photography and airflow, though air-conditioned first-class or observation-car options exist on some services.
How cool does it get in Sri Lanka's hill country?
Noticeably cooler than the coast or Cultural Triangle, with Nuwara Eliya's evenings sometimes feeling close to a mild Swiss autumn evening, and Ella milder but still cool enough to want a light jumper or fleece after dark.