If you're planning the famous Kandy to Ella train journey in 2026, there's a critical update you need to know: the full Kandy to Ella route is not running. Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka in late November 2025, causing 159 landslides and extensive damage to the highland railway network between Kandy and Ambewela.
The good news: the train IS still running on the most scenic section — Ambewela to Ella — and it's still absolutely worth doing. The section from Ambewela through Haputale, Bandarawela, and down to Ella passes through the heart of tea country and includes the iconic Nine Arches Bridge approach. Many travellers say this shorter stretch is actually the best part of the original route.
This guide covers exactly how to do the journey in 2026, including how to get from Kandy to Ambewela, the current train timetable, ticket booking, which seat to choose, and what you'll see along the way.
Current Status: What's Running and What's Not
| Section | Status (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo → Kandy | Running normally | 3.5 hours, multiple daily services |
| Kandy → Nanu Oya | Suspended | Cyclone damage, repairs ongoing |
| Nanu Oya → Ambewela | Suspended | Target reopening: late 2026 or early 2027 |
| Ambewela → Ella | Running | 4 daily services, the most scenic section |
| Ella → Badulla | Running | Short final section, 45 minutes |
The Ambewela to Ella section covers approximately 60 kilometres and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. This is the stretch with the tea plantations, the mountain viaducts, and the approach to Nine Arches Bridge — the views that made this route world-famous.
How to Get From Kandy to Ambewela
Since you can no longer board the train at Kandy station, you need to get to Ambewela first. Here are your options:
Option 1: Private car or taxi (Recommended) The drive from Kandy to Ambewela takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours via Nuwara Eliya. The road passes through beautiful hill country scenery and you can stop at tea estates along the way. Expect to pay LKR 8,000 to 12,000 ($25–35 USD) for a private vehicle.
Option 2: Bus via Nuwara Eliya Take a bus from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (approximately 3 hours, LKR 200–400), then a local bus or tuk-tuk from Nuwara Eliya to Ambewela station (approximately 30 minutes, LKR 100–200). This is the budget option but takes longer with connections.
Option 3: Hire a driver for the full Kandy-to-Ella journey If the train logistics feel complicated, you can hire a driver for the entire Kandy to Ella route by road. The drive takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. You miss the train experience but gain flexibility for stops at Ramboda Falls, a tea factory, and Nuwara Eliya. Cost: LKR 15,000 to 20,000 ($45–60 USD).
Our recommendation: Drive from Kandy to Ambewela in the morning, arriving by 9:00 AM. Take the Ambewela to Ella train for the scenic section. You get the best of both — the flexibility of a car plus the unforgettable train experience through the tea plantations.
Ambewela to Ella Train Timetable (2026)
Four daily services currently operate between Ambewela and Ella:
| Train | Departs Ambewela | Arrives Ella | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train 1 | ~6:30 AM | ~9:00 AM | ~2.5 hrs | Earliest option, quieter |
| Train 2 | ~9:30 AM | ~12:00 PM | ~2.5 hrs | Most popular with tourists |
| Train 3 | ~12:30 PM | ~3:00 PM | ~2.5 hrs | Good if arriving from Kandy late morning |
| Train 4 | ~3:30 PM | ~6:00 PM | ~2.5 hrs | Arrives Ella for sunset |
Important: These times are approximate. Sri Lanka Railways updates schedules frequently. Check the official Sri Lanka Railways website or ask at Ambewela station for the current timetable on the day of travel. Trains in Sri Lanka do not always run exactly on time — allow buffer time in your plans.
Which Class Should You Book?
| Class | Price | Seats | View | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First class | LKR 1,000–1,500 | Reserved, air-conditioned, observation car | Windows sealed — no hanging out of doors | Best for comfort, worst for photography |
| Second class reserved | LKR 400–600 | Reserved numbered seat, fans | Windows open, can stand at doors | Best overall balance |
| Second class unreserved | LKR 200–300 | First-come seating, may stand | Same carriages as reserved | Budget option, arrive early for a seat |
| Third class | LKR 100–150 | Unreserved, crowded | Basic open windows | Authentic local experience, least comfortable |
Our pick: Second class reserved. You get an assigned seat, open windows for photos, and can walk to the doors for the classic "hanging out of the train" experience during the scenic sections. Book in advance at the station or online.
Which Side Should You Sit?
This is the question everyone asks, and the answer depends on your direction:
Ambewela to Ella (southbound): Sit on the left side for the best views. You'll see the deep valleys, the tea plantations dropping away below you, and the approach to Nine Arches Bridge.
Ella to Ambewela (northbound): Sit on the right side — same views, opposite direction.
In practice, the scenery is spectacular on both sides and changes constantly. Most travellers end up moving between sides and standing at the open doors for the best sections anyway.
What You'll See on the Train
The Ambewela to Ella stretch packs an extraordinary amount of scenery into two hours:
Ambewela to Pattipola — Open grasslands and rolling hills. This area feels more like Scotland than tropical Sri Lanka. The Horton Plains National Park is just a few kilometres away.
Pattipola to Haputale — The train descends through dense cloud forest and tea plantations. On clear mornings, you can see all the way to the southern coast from the Haputale ridge — a drop of nearly 1,500 metres.
Haputale to Bandarawela — Tea estates, small villages, and the charming colonial-era Bandarawela station. The air is cool and fresh at this altitude.
Bandarawela to Ella — The final section passes through the most photographed railway scenery in Sri Lanka. The train crosses several stone viaducts, passes through tunnels carved into the rock, and approaches the iconic Nine Arches Bridge just before Ella. Time your camera for this section.
Tips From Locals
Arrive at Ambewela station 30 to 45 minutes early. For unreserved tickets, this guarantees a window seat. For reserved tickets, it gives you time to find your carriage.
Bring snacks and water. There are vendors on the train selling local snacks, but the selection is limited on the shorter Ambewela-Ella route compared to the old full journey.
Wear layers. Ambewela is at nearly 1,900 metres elevation and mornings are cold — 10 to 15°C. By the time you reach Ella at 1,000 metres, it's noticeably warmer.
Keep your valuables secure when standing at the open doors. Phones and cameras can slip — use a strap.
Don't stress about the "perfect" seat. The train is slow and the views change constantly. Everyone gets great photos regardless of which side they sit on.
What to Do When You Arrive in Ella
Ella is a small hill country town packed with things to do. From Ella, we operate guided experiences across the region:
- Ella Adventures — Hikes to Ella Rock, Little Adam's Peak, Nine Arches Bridge walks, tea factory visits
- Yala Safari from Ella — Early morning pickup for a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka's premier national park. See our complete safari guide
- Village Cultural Experience — Cook with a local family, walk paddy fields, make buffalo curd in a village near Buttala
- Onward to Arugam Bay — Our Ella to Arugam Bay guide covers every option including the safari drop-off route
For a full list of activities, see our things to do in Ella guide.
When Will the Full Kandy to Ella Route Reopen?
Sri Lanka Railways has indicated the full line could reopen by late 2026 or early 2027, depending on the progress of repairs. The Kandy to Nanu Oya section suffered the most extensive damage and requires significant bridge and track reconstruction.
We'll update this guide as the situation changes. For the latest railway status, check the Sri Lanka Railways official site or ask at any major station.
In the meantime, the Ambewela to Ella section remains one of the most beautiful short train journeys in the world — and well worth the effort of getting to Ambewela.
TravelersMate is based in the hill country between Ella and Yala. We help travellers navigate the current transport situation and plan seamless trips across the region. See all our experiences →