The paradise island of Sri Lanka is by far one of the most beautiful tropical destinations you can ever visit in South-East Asia. What you may not know is that this tiny island has a good and efficient public transport system that includes both trains and busses for your transportation needs! Here is a quick guide for those who wish to explore Lanka by rail!
Hendrik Cornelissen,CC0
Where you can travel by train
Taking the train to your required destination is an inexpensive and efficient way of getting around the island. Sri Lanka has an extensive railway network and you can reach almost any destination via train. Holidaymakers such as SoulTrek Sri Lanka will often arrange Sri Lanka holiday tours and packages around different areas via train on request, so make sure you ask for it when curating your island tours.
Ticket reservations
In Sri Lanka, you can book your tickets in advance via the online portals made available in the country.Tickets are sold in different classes such as first, second, and third class and can be purchased online accordingly. Mobile providers such as Mobitel can also be used for this.
Best scenic routes in Sri Lanka
Visiting the hill country by train will surely entail some of the best scenic views. Kandy to Ella (covering the famous Nine Arch Bridge) is particularly one of the best train rides you will experience and is definitely recommended if you’re visiting the island for the first time. Apart from this Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura, and Colombo to Galle on the south coast is nice too.
Useful tips and info
When booking your tickets, try and book them at least a week in advance to avoid disappointments, especially during peak seasons as tickets run out fast. If you are visiting for the first time, try and book the observation deck as this will entail you a grand view where you can capture as many pictures as possible! Another tip – do not get late as the train waits for no one!
