Quick answer
Day 7 of the 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary for Turkish travellers covers the scenic train from Nanu Oya, just outside Nuwara Eliya, to Ella, a journey of roughly two and a half to three hours through tea plantations, tunnels and mountain viewpoints widely considered one of the world's most scenic rail journeys. The afternoon in Ella includes the Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era railway viaduct now a well-known viewpoint, with Little Adam's Peak, a roughly 45-to-90-minute return walk, as an optional extra if energy and time allow.
Key takeaways
- The Nanu Oya-to-Ella train takes roughly two and a half to three hours and is widely regarded as one of the world's most scenic rail journeys.
- Reserved second-class seats should be booked well in advance, since this route is popular and unreserved carriages get crowded quickly.
- The Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era railway viaduct, is Ella's most photographed landmark and free to view from several vantage points.
- Little Adam's Peak is a roughly 45-to-90-minute return walk with panoramic views, considerably gentler than Sigiriya's climb four days earlier.
- Ella's town centre is small, walkable and considerably more laid-back in atmosphere than any base visited earlier in the trip.
The scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella
The train journey from Nanu Oya, the station serving Nuwara Eliya, to Ella covers roughly two and a half to three hours through terraced tea plantations, small tunnels and mountain viewpoints, with the stretch through the tea estates around Ella generally considered the most striking section of the whole route.
Reserved second-class seats, bookable in advance through Sri Lanka Railways or a booking agent, are worth securing well ahead of travel, since this specific segment is popular with both local and international travellers and unreserved carriages fill quickly, sometimes leaving standing room only.
- →Journey time: roughly two and a half to three hours from Nanu Oya to Ella.
- →Seating: book reserved second-class seats well in advance; unreserved carriages get crowded.
- →Best views: generally on the right-hand side travelling from Nanu Oya toward Ella.
The Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era railway viaduct built without steel reinforcement according to local accounts, is Ella's most photographed landmark, framed by tea-covered hills and crossed by the train several times a day on a schedule worth checking in advance for the best photo timing.
Several cafes and viewpoints around the bridge offer a relaxed vantage point without needing to stand directly on the tracks, which is both unsafe and generally discouraged by local guides.
Little Adam's Peak, if time and energy allow
Little Adam's Peak is a roughly 45-to-90-minute return walk on a mostly well-maintained path, offering panoramic views over Ella Gap and the surrounding tea country, a considerably gentler climb than Sigiriya's roughly 1,200 steps earlier in the trip.
It is an optional addition to day seven rather than a fixed part of the itinerary, best attempted in the late afternoon for softer light or early morning if the train arrives with enough time to spare.
- →Little Adam's Peak: roughly 45 to 90 minutes return, considerably gentler than Sigiriya.
- →Best light: late afternoon or early morning, avoiding the midday heat.
- →Optional: only worth attempting if the train timing leaves genuine daylight to spare.
Settling into Ella
Ella's town centre is small and easily walkable, with a noticeably more relaxed, backpacker-friendly atmosphere than Kandy or Nuwara Eliya, a mix of cafes, small shops and viewpoint restaurants overlooking the surrounding hills.
This more laid-back pace is a deliberate contrast built into the route after several days of temples, climbs and transfers, and most travellers find an evening in Ella genuinely restorative before the safari transfer the following day.
Planning this day
Book the reserved train tickets well before travel, ideally at the same time the overall itinerary is confirmed, since availability on this specific segment tightens considerably during December-to-February and June-to-September peak periods.
Lankan Stays & Trails arranges the reserved train seats as part of the full itinerary booking and has your driver-guide meet you at Ella station on arrival, keeping the connection between the train and Little Adam's Peak or the Nine Arch Bridge seamless.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Nanu Oya to Ella?
Roughly two and a half to three hours, passing through terraced tea plantations, small tunnels and mountain viewpoints on a route widely considered one of the world's most scenic rail journeys.
Do you need to book train tickets in advance for the Ella scenic train?
Yes, strongly recommended. Reserved second-class seats should be booked well ahead of travel, since this popular segment fills quickly and unreserved carriages can mean standing for the whole journey.
How do you see the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella?
Several cafes and viewpoints around the bridge offer a safe, relaxed vantage point. Checking the train schedule in advance helps time a visit to catch a train crossing the viaduct for photographs.
Is Little Adam's Peak difficult to climb?
No, it is considerably gentler than Sigiriya. A roughly 45-to-90-minute return walk on a mostly well-maintained path leads to panoramic views over Ella Gap, suitable for most fitness levels.
Which side of the train has the best views from Nanu Oya to Ella?
Generally the right-hand side travelling from Nanu Oya toward Ella offers the more consistent views over the tea plantations, though the scenery is worthwhile on both sides for most of the journey.
What is there to do in Ella besides the train and the bridge?
Ella's small, walkable town centre has a relaxed mix of cafes, shops and viewpoint restaurants, and Little Adam's Peak offers a short, scenic walk for travellers with time and energy to spare after the train journey.