Quick answer
A Sri Lanka honeymoon itinerary by train uses three railway journeys: Colombo Fort to Kandy in roughly two and a half to three hours, Kandy to Ella in six to seven hours through the tea country, and the coastal line between Galle and Colombo in about two to two and a half hours. A 12-night plan is Colombo one night, Kandy two, Nuwara Eliya two, Ella two and the south coast five. Ella to the coast has no railway and needs a car.
Key takeaways
- Three lines carry a rail honeymoon: Colombo to Kandy, Kandy to Ella and the coastal line through Galle.
- Kandy to Nanu Oya takes roughly four hours and Nanu Oya to Ella about three.
- Reserved seats open for booking about 30 days before travel and sell out quickly on the hill line.
- There is no railway between Ella and the south coast, a road journey of roughly four to five hours.
- Sigiriya has no convenient station, so rail honeymoons usually leave out the Cultural Triangle.
Why travel by train on a honeymoon
Travelling by train on a honeymoon gives you something a car cannot. For hours at a time there is nothing to do except sit together and watch the country pass: paddy fields, river gorges, tea pluckers on the slopes and schoolchildren waving from platforms.
Trains are also sociable and inexpensive. They are not fast or always punctual, and carriages vary from comfortable to basic. Couples who need precision should keep a car for the whole trip and ride one section for pleasure.
- →Scenery: the hill line is among the most beautiful in Asia.
- →Cost: a few US dollars per seat, even in first class.
- →Pace: slow, with delays of an hour not unusual.
The 12-night rail route
The 12-night rail route begins with a night in Colombo and the morning train to Kandy. After two nights, the hill line leads to Nanu Oya, the station for Nuwara Eliya, for two nights among tea estates. A second ride of about three hours continues to Ella across the highest part of the line.
From Ella, a car takes four to five hours to the coast, ideally with an elephant drive at Udawalawe on the way. Five nights at Mirissa, Weligama or near Galle follow. On the last day, the coastal train from Galle to Colombo runs beside the sea for much of its two to two and a half hours.
- →Night 1: Colombo.
- →Nights 2 and 3: Kandy.
- →Nights 4 and 5: Nuwara Eliya.
- →Nights 6 and 7: Ella.
- →Nights 8 to 12: the south coast.
Classes, seats and which side to sit
Classes on Sri Lankan trains suit different tastes. First class is usually an air-conditioned carriage with sealed windows, which is cool and quiet and less good for photographs. Some trains have an observation saloon at the rear. Second class reserved has fans, opening windows and assigned seats, and is the favourite of most travellers.
Views are good on both sides. Leaving Kandy, the right-hand side is generally preferred as far as Nanu Oya, and the left-hand side after that towards Ella. Standing in an open doorway is a tradition, and should be done with care and a firm grip.
Filling the gaps the railway leaves
Gaps in the network shape a rail honeymoon. The hill line ends at Badulla, beyond Ella, and nothing connects it to the south. The coastal line runs from Colombo through Galle and Matara to Beliatta, the nearest station to Tangalle. Between the two, a car is the only sensible choice.
Sigiriya is the other gap. Habarana has a station on the line to Trincomalee and Batticaloa, with few and slow services. Couples who want the rock should add it by road at the start, or accept a rail trip without it.
- →Ella to the coast: private car, four to five hours.
- →Station to hotel: tuk-tuks wait at every station.
- →Luggage: soft bags are far easier than large hard cases.
Booking tickets and travelling with luggage
Booking is the hard part. Reserved seats are released about 30 days ahead and the popular morning trains from Kandy sell out fast. Tickets can be bought online, at stations or through an agent. Without a reservation, you can still board in unreserved second or third class and may stand.
Luggage goes on overhead racks or between seats. Many honeymooners send bags ahead by road and travel with a day pack. Lankan Stays & Trails books the seats, meets each train with a car and carries the luggage separately, which keeps the romance and removes the strain.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a honeymoon in Sri Lanka by train?
Yes, for much of the route. Trains link Colombo, Kandy, the tea country, Ella and the south-west coast. They do not serve Sigiriya conveniently or connect Ella with the south coast, so one or two road transfers are needed. Allow more time than you would by car.
Is the Kandy to Ella train romantic?
The Kandy to Ella train is one of the most romantic journeys in Sri Lanka, with hours of tea estates, forests, waterfalls and mountain views. It can also be crowded. A reserved seat, a weekday departure and snacks from the platform make it far more enjoyable.
Which class should honeymooners book on Sri Lankan trains?
Second class reserved suits most honeymooners, with open windows for air and photographs and guaranteed seats. First class air-conditioned is more comfortable in the heat but has sealed windows. The observation saloon, where available, has large rear windows and seats that face backwards.
How far ahead do Sri Lankan train tickets go on sale?
Reserved tickets usually go on sale about 30 days before the date of travel. Seats on the scenic hill line often sell out within hours in peak season. Booking through a planner or agent on the release date gives the best chance.
Can we reach the beach by train?
Yes. The coastal line from Colombo serves Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama, Mirissa and Matara, and continues to Beliatta near Tangalle. Colombo to Galle takes about two to two and a half hours on a faster train, with long stretches right beside the sea.
Are Sri Lankan trains safe and comfortable?
Sri Lankan trains are generally safe and reasonably comfortable in reserved classes. They are old, sometimes late and often busy. Keep valuables with you, take care near open doors and carry water. Toilets are basic, so plan accordingly on the longer hill journey.