Udarata Menike (Queen of the Highlands) is Sri Lanka's most famous train, running from Colombo to Badulla via Kandy and the Hill Country. The section from Kandy to Ella is considered one of the world's greatest scenic rail journeys — passing through Hatton, Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya), and arriving at Ella with its famous Nine Arch Bridge.
| # | Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|
| 1 | Kandy Station Kandy | Start | 08:30 |
| 2 | Nanu Oya Station Nuwara Eliya | 12:05 | 12:10 |
| 3 | Ella Station Ella | 14:58 | End |
Timetable data is sourced from official Sri Lanka railways records and may vary due to delays or seasonal changes. Always verify with the official operator before travelling.
Udarata Menike (Queen of the Highlands) is Sri Lanka's most famous train, running from Colombo to Badulla via Kandy and the Hill Country. The section from Kandy to Ella is considered one of the world's greatest scenic rail journeys — passing through Hatton, Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya), and arriving at Ella with its famous Nine Arch Bridge. As a special service, it is a premium service designed for higher-comfort travel on its corridor.
Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train runs on every day of the week, with the timetable above showing the scheduled departure time at each intermediate stop. The full route includes 3 stops with a total scheduled time of 6h 28m, averaging out to approximately 180 minutes between consecutive stations once dwell time is taken into account.
Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train offers 1 travel class: Sleeper. The lowest published fare is LKR 1,200 for Sleeper, while the highest-class fare is LKR 1,200 for Sleeper. Higher-class fares typically include wider seating, better climate control, and on many long-distance services include meals or refreshments. Travel class fare differences also reflect coach configuration — for example sleeper berths convert to flat beds for overnight travel, while seated coach classes use forward-facing reclining seats arranged 2+2 or 2+1 across the aisle. Check the per-class fare table on this page for the current published price by class.
Tickets for Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train are sold by Sri Lanka Railways through the official booking portal at railway.gov.lk. Online booking typically opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on the operator and service type. Booking early gives access to the cheapest advance discount fares which can be 30–80% cheaper than walk-up tickets at the station. Tickets are also available at station booking offices and from authorised travel agents and ticket resellers. Most operators accept payment by credit card, debit card, and digital wallet.
On the day of travel, arrive at the originating station at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This gives time to locate the correct platform (platform number is announced on station information displays 20–60 minutes before departure), find your reserved coach (coach numbers are marked along the platform edge at major stations), and board with your luggage. Sleeper class passengers should note that bedrolls (linen, pillow, blanket) are typically provided by the operator on overnight services — confirm at the time of booking. Carry a light jacket or shawl as air-conditioning can run cold during the early-morning hours of the journey. Keep valuables in a small bag stowed under the lower berth rather than in overhead racks. Always cross-check the platform number against your e-ticket or seat reservation before boarding — multiple trains can depart within a short window from adjacent platforms during peak periods.
This Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train page is part of the TrainsTracking Sri Lanka timetable collection covering passenger rail services across the Sri Lanka Railways network. Schedule data is verified daily against the official operator timetable, and fare information reflects the most recent published tariff. TrainsTracking is an information platform and does not process bookings or payments — all ticket purchases are completed directly through railway.gov.lk. For real-time delay information, platform changes, and same-day cancellations, always check station displays or the official operator app immediately before travel.
Reserved seating
Book Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train tickets at railway.gov.lk, the official Sri Lanka Railways portal. Compare fares and seat availability before booking. Online booking typically opens 30 to 90 days before departure.
Book NowVisit any Sri Lanka Railways booking office in person. Staff can help with seat selection, group bookings, and special assistance. Book early for popular departure times and holidays.
Contact Sri Lanka Railways for schedule information, delay updates, and booking assistance via their official website or station helpdesk.
Visit Sri Lanka RailwaysKandy–Ella Hill Country Train departs at 08:30 and arrives at the final destination at 14:58. The total scheduled journey time is approximately 6h 28m. Times use the official Sri Lanka timetable and are local times at each stop. Always verify with Sri Lanka Railways on the day of travel as schedules can change due to engineering work or seasonal adjustments.
Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train fares start from approximately LKR 1,200 for Sleeper class and go up to LKR 1,200 for Sleeper. Higher-class fares include wider seating, climate control, and on long-distance services may include meals. Book through railway.gov.lk for the latest published fares and to check current seat availability.
Tickets for Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train are sold through railway.gov.lk, the official Sri Lanka Railways booking platform. Online booking opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on operator. Book in advance for the cheapest available fares. Tickets can also be purchased at station booking offices during opening hours, typically 08:00–20:00 daily.
Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train makes 3 scheduled stops along its route. The journey starts at Kandy Station and ends at Ella Station. Major intermediate stops include Nanu Oya Station. The full stop sequence with arrival and departure times is shown in the table above.
Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train running days are shown in the hero section at the top of this page (badges indicate which days of the week the train operates). Some long-distance services run daily while others operate only on specific days (typically weekday-only or weekend-only). Operating days can change with the annual timetable revision (usually December) so verify current running days with Sri Lanka Railways before booking, particularly for trips planned more than 6 months ahead.
Yes, railway.gov.lk typically accepts international debit and credit cards from major card networks. Some operators require a local phone number for SMS confirmation — check the booking requirements before starting your reservation. Booking platforms display fares in the local currency of the operator.
Kandy–Ella Hill Country Train offers 1 travel class: Sleeper. Economy or standard classes have reserved numbered seats at the lowest fare. Premium classes (business, first class, sleeper) add wider seats, climate control, and on overnight services berths for lying flat. The fare table on this page lists current published prices for each class.
Platform numbers are not pre-published — they are announced on station information displays between 20 and 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Arrive early at the originating station to check the platform allocation displays. At larger stations, platform numbers can also be viewed on the operator's app. If the train is delayed or rescheduled, the platform may change at short notice — always verify against station displays immediately before boarding.
Opens Sri Lanka Railways official booking site