Sri Lanka Railways -Tickets and online bookings

4.5(451 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

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
The journey was excellent. Online ticket booking process was very smooth. I was shared an e-ticket PDF for the journey around 1 month before. We were able to board the train with the e-ticket and our passports. The journey was wonderful and very comfortable in an air conditioned compartment. Totally recommended.
Rajdeep M.29.03.2026
An excellent experience would highly recommend it
Nigel D.29.03.2026
Good service train was ok
Keith J.27.03.2026

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 car, train, 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: First Class, Panoramic, Second Class, Third Class Reserved Seats, Observation Class, and Second Class Reserved Seats.

Nuwara Eliya to Ella

The distance between Nuwara Eliya and Ella is 20 miles, or approximately 32 kilometers.There are 3 ways to get from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, including car, train, and minivan.There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 18:30 and has a duration of 2 hours.

Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train

There are 8 travel classes for this journey, including: First Class, Panoramic, Second Class, Third Class Reserved Seats, Second Class Seat, Observation Class, First Class Sleeper, and Second Class Reserved Seats.

Trincomalee to Colombo

The distance between Trincomalee and Colombo is 148 miles, or approximately 237 kilometers.There are 5 ways to get from Trincomalee to Colombo, including minivan, car, train, bus, and flight.There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 14:00 and has a duration of 8 hours 30 minutes.

Trincomalee to Colombo by train

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

Galle to Colombo

The distance between Galle and Colombo is 67 miles, or approximately 107 kilometers.There are 4 ways to get from Galle to Colombo, 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 10 minutes.

Galle to Colombo by train

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

Jaffna to Colombo

The distance between Jaffna and Colombo is 190 miles, or approximately 304 kilometers.There are 4 ways to get from Jaffna to Colombo, including train, car, minivan, and bus.The earliest departure leaves at 08:38 and has a duration of 6 hours 25 minutes.

Jaffna to Colombo by train

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

43Cities
305Routes

Our travelers reviews about the ride with Sri Lanka Railways

4.5

Based on 451 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled with Sri Lanka Railways

Penelope M.

24.04.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Eva R.

22.04.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Lora P.

15.04.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Rajdeep M.

29.03.2026

Sri Lanka Railways

Nigel D.

29.03.2026

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

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, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Trincomalee, Tangalle, Galle, Hatton, Habarana, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Matara, Badulla, Jaffna, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Weligama, Vavuniya, Haputale, Peradeniya, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, Pasikuda, Mirissa, Nawalapitiya, Bandarawela, Kekirawa, Kalutara, Gampaha, Gampola, Aluthgama, Beliatta, Veyangoda, Polgahawela, Ambalangoda, Ahangama, Pattipola, Demodara, Dikwella, and Ambewela

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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