Sri Lanka Railways -Tickets and online bookings

4.5(427 reviews)

Sri Lanka Railways is Sri Lanka's railway owner and primary operator. It operates the nation's railways and links Colombo with other population centers and tourist destinations.

Official address: No. 15, Negombo road, Jaela

Train was clean and apart from crying child, the journey went well. Railway staff were friendly and helpful
PAUL T.11.06.2026
All good, the tickets were good, but I should have been told about the train seating layout. We were lucky because several other passengers had been given seats that were not next to each other. 21 & 22 were on opposite sides of the train, 18 & 19 were two aisle seats, so we all sat wherever we wanted!
Ben D.16.05.2026
Someone chat me and helped me with everything, that was very useful!
Lois a.12.05.2026
We travelled from Haputale to Ella on the afternoon train. When we boarded there were people in the seats we were allocated, so we had to sit on the non preferred side, which was OK, but we didn't get the views we were hoping for. A few days later we boarded the morning service from Ella to Ambewela. We easily found our seats, on the preferred side, and had an amazing trip, with fantastic views. The seats were very comfortable and it was great having the windows open to breath in the fresh air and take lots of photos. Thank you Bookaway
Penelope M.24.04.2026
Easy handling of tickets Beautiful ride Advantage: windows can be opened in 2nd class!
Eva R.22.04.2026
Excellent service!
Lora P.15.04.2026

Sri Lanka Railways’s popular routes

Ella to Nuwara Eliya

The distance between Ella and Nuwara Eliya is 22 miles, or approximately 35 kilometers.There are 3 ways to get from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, including train, car, and minivan.The earliest departure leaves at 05:00 and has a duration of 4 hours.

Ella to Nuwara Eliya by train

There are 6 travel classes for this journey, including: Second Class, First Class, Panoramic, Third Class Reserved Seats, Observation Class, and Second Class Reserved Seats.

Nuwara Eliya to Ella

The distance between Nuwara Eliya and Ella is 22 miles, or approximately 35 kilometers.There are 3 ways to get from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, including train, car, and minivan.

Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train

There are 6 travel classes for this journey, including: Second Class, First Class, Panoramic, Observation Class, Third Class Reserved Seats, and Second Class Reserved Seats.

Colombo to Galle

The distance between Colombo and Galle is 67 miles, or approximately 107 kilometers.There are 4 ways to get from Colombo to Galle, including car, minivan, train, and bus.There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 18:30 and has a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes.

Colombo to Galle by train

There are 3 travel classes for this journey, including: First Class Reserved Seats, First Class, and Second Class.

Colombo to Anuradhapura

The distance between Colombo and Anuradhapura is 103 miles, or approximately 165 kilometers.There are 4 ways to get from Colombo to Anuradhapura, including train, car, minivan, and bus.There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 18:30 and has a duration of 3 hours 35 minutes.

Colombo to Anuradhapura by train

There are 5 travel classes for this journey, including: First Class, Second Class, Second Class Seat, Second Class Reserved Seats, and Third Class Reserved Seats.

Colombo to Batticaloa

The distance between Colombo and Batticaloa is 138 miles, or approximately 221 kilometers.There are 4 ways to get from Colombo to Batticaloa, including car, bus, train, and flight.There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 14:00 and has a duration of 8 hours.

Colombo to Batticaloa by train

There are 6 travel classes for this journey, including: Second Class, First Class, Second Class Seat, First Class Sleeper, Second Class Reserved Seats, and Third Class Reserved Seats.

44Cities
309Routes

Our travelers reviews about the ride with Sri Lanka Railways

4.48

Based on 427 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled with Sri Lanka Railways

PAUL T.

11.06.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Ben D.

16.05.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Lois a.

12.05.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Penelope M.

24.04.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Eva R.

22.04.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Sri Lanka Railways's most popular stations

Choose a city

Colombo Fort Train StationFort Railway Station Colombo, Sri Lanka
Jaffna Train StationJaffna Train Station, Jaffna Railway Station Road, Jaffna 40000, Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura Train StationAnuradhapura Train Station, Sri Barathindra Mawatha, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Ella Train StationElla Train Station, Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway, Ella, Sri Lanka
Hikkaduwa Train StationHikkaduwa Train Station, A2, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Galle Train StationGalle Train Station, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Weligama Train StationWeligama Train Station, Weligama, Sri Lanka
Matara Train StationMatara Train Station, Matara, Sri Lanka
Kandy Train StationKandy Train Station, William Gopallawa Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kurunegala Train StationKurunegala Railway Station, F9GF+QP2, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
Habarana Train StationHabarana Railway Station, 3Q49+VV Karandagaswewa, Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa Train StationPolonnaruwa Railway Station, W2JM+38 Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Train Station ValaichchenaiRailway Station Valaichchenai, Valaichchena Railway Station, Trincomalee Hwy, Sri Lanka
Batticaloa Train StationBatticaloa Railway Station, PMFX+QG Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
Trincomalee Train StationTrincomalee Railway Station, H6MG+QF Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Hatton Train StationHatton Railway Station, Hatton, Sri Lanka
Nanuoya Train StationNanuoya Train station, Avissawella - Hatton - Nuwara Eliya Highway, Nanuoya, Sri Lanka
Ambewela Train StationAmbewela train station, VRG7+XQ3, Ceylon Government Railway Office, Ambewela, Sri Lanka

Your questions, Our answers

How much does a train ride cost from Ella to Nuwara Eliya?

The cost of a train ride for a roundtrip adult ticket to Nuwara Eliya leaving from Ella is around US$ 16

Do Sri Lanka Railways have toilets on board?

Sri Lanka Railways do have toilets on board!

Is there Wi-Fi on Sri Lanka Railways?

Most of the Sri Lanka Railways rides have Wi-Fi on board. We recommend reaching out directly to Sri Lanka Railways to find out if your ride is one of those rides.

Do I need to print my ticket or does Sri Lanka Railways offer e-tickets?

Sri Lanka Railways has e-tickets so you don’t need to print your tickets.

Which cities does Sri Lanka Railways operate in?

Sri Lanka Railways operates in Kandy, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Nanuoya, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Trincomalee, Tangalle, Galle, Anuradhapura, Hatton, Habarana, Batticaloa, Matara, Jaffna, Badulla, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Weligama, Vavuniya, Haputale, Peradeniya, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, Pasikuda, Mirissa, Nawalapitiya, Bandarawela, Kalutara, Kekirawa, Gampaha, Gampola, Aluthgama, Beliatta, Veyangoda, Polgahawela, Ambalangoda, Ahangama, Pattipola, Demodara, Dikwella, Ambewela, and Kilinochchi

Where is the Sri Lanka Railways office?

Sri Lanka Railways’s office is located at No. 15, Negombo road, Jaela

Sri Lanka Railways -Tickets and online bookings

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