Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you're heading to Horton Plains you're much better off taking a van from Haputale or
Nuwara Eliya instead, both of which are considerably closer.
TRAIN
Ella is an hour from Haputale and Badulla on the Colombo-Badulla line. The stretch from
Haputale (through Bandarawela) has particularly lovely scenery. Roughly 10km north of
Ella, at Demodara, the line performs a complete loop around a hillside and tunnels under
itself at a level 30m lower.
Ella's train station is so quaint it won the 'Best Kept Station' award in 2013. The station
manager, Mr Ashendria Disanayake, deserves mention for winning the 'Most Helpful Sta-
tion Manager' award. It's like Thomas the Tank Engine come to life. Fares and timetables
are well posted. You'll probably be met by a few touts spinning fictional tales; Ella's gues-
thouse fraternity is perhaps the most competitive in all of Sri Lanka. Touts sometimes
board the train a few stops before Ella. Observation class is Rs 1000 for anywhere between
Nanu Oya and Badulla and Rs 1250 to Kandy and Colombo. A 2nd-class advance reserva-
tion is Rs 600 to any of the following destinations.
Eastbound trains to Badulla leave at 6.05am, 1.25pm and 3.15pm. Westbound trains to
all other stations are at 6.40am, 9.25am, 10.55am and 12.05pm.
Sample train fares:
Around Ella
There are a number of interesting sights and activities in the vicinity of Ella. You can also
easily visit the
Dowa Temple
from Ella.
