Traveling Sri Lanka is a relatively easy thing to do. It can be a little chaotic, with overcrowded buses moving along clogged roads where lanes are mere suggestions, and trains packed to the gills with people hanging off the edges (which actually is kind of fun). But English is widely spoken so once you get used the chaos, it isn’t too difficult to get around. But there are a few things you should know before you visit Sri Lanka to avoid getting scammed, overspending, and, like me, missing some of the scenic trains!
Sri Lanka is an amazing place to travel remarkably hassle-free with affable friendly atmosphere. Taking the train to get around is a great and inexpensive way because the train journeys are just comfortable and also you can experience the beautiful scenic routes during your journey. The country has a great railway network which is reliable and affordable. Travelling by train in Sri Lanka is also one of the best ways to see the country especially in hill country as you are able to watch the endless fields of tea plantations or any other plantations and greenery very huge mountains, waterfalls which will heal your mind.
Train Travel Sri Lanka is almost always more relaxed than a bus ride and also ticket prices are very low. Sri Lanka Railways runs government railways and trains are in good condition to travel. Although more expensive and less atmospheric than the 1st-class observation cars on Sri Lanka Railways, these private cars offer air-con and snacks and may have seats available when regular classes are already fully booked. You simply take your luggage with you onto the train and put it on the overhead racks above your seat. You can check train schedule and prices between any two stations at the official Sri Lanka Railway’s websites, railway.gov and slr.malindaprasad. Sri Lankan train names are simple and unique which specialized to the category of women in ancient Sri Lanka. A number of long-distance trains were named by GCR (Ceylon Government Railway).
The train trip Ella – Kandy, and Kandy – Ella is very popular, both among tourists and the locals, so you can buy tickets as soon as you enter Sri Lanka. You can buy tickets at any train station in Sri Lanka for the date you want. The train trip from Ella to Kandy in Sri Lanka, or the other way around, is considered to be one of the most beautiful train trips in the world. This train ride is seven hours long and takes you through stunning landscapes of green and lush tea plantations and mountain views. Make sure that you sit on the right side of the special observation carriage which will give you the best scenery, in Peradeniya your Train takes a right turn and starts the most incredible journey through the rolling hills covered with Tea estate after Tea estate. One could also take a nostalgic journey in a Steam Train, The Viceroy Special, to Kandy and experience the reminiscent of an era gone by.
There are three types of classes in Sri Lankan trains. They typically have reserved first-class, reserved or unreserved second class, unreserved third class. Not every train will have first-class carriages and the trains on the Colombo-Galle route only have unreserved carriages and do not have first-class carriages also.