Kandy to Ella by train

Ella is high up in the hills of Sri Lanka and blanketed in tea plantations. The train to Ella is rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world.

I tried to get tickets a few days ago but all reserved tickets have been sold out for about 3 weeks. I was informed that if I turned up on the day I would get a ticket.

The train was at 8:45 so I got to the station for 7:30am. There was already a queue of about 20 people (all foreigners) in front of me. I picked up a 2nd class ticket for 240R/£1.20 which is pretty cheap since the train ride is about 6-7hrs long.

Queue to buy tickets

As the time got closer to departure, more and more people started showing up on the platform. It was getting pretty busy. By the time the train arrived it was everyone for themselves. It was like rush hour on the Central Line but everyone had luggage. It was mayhem. I, along with others didn't manage to get a seat so had to stand. (Great, 7 hours standing).

Train was full so had to stand

Luckily, after about 45 mins loads of people got off the train and I managed to nip in and blag a seat.

In second class you are literally able to hang out of the doors and windows.

The train is an old, slow train and takes ages winding it's way up through the hills and different tea plantations. You can see women in their saris picking tea. Ocassionaly you see people waving from the side of the tracks. Everything is so green and stunning! Climbing through the clouds and the fresh smell of eucalyptus was just amazing.
7 hours went by surprisingly fast.

I am staying at Blue View guesthouse. I am the only one staying but the room is clean and spacious and I have been informed there is hot water! Yesssss