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Guide

Trains in Sri Lanka

How seat reservations work, which website to trust, and how we plan rail legs as an option, not a promise.

A train ride through the hill country is one of the memorable parts of many trips. It needs a little planning, because seats are reserved through the railway.

How reservations work

Reservations are made on the railway's own portal.

  • Sri Lanka Railways runs an online seat-reservation portal where you can create an account and reserve seats on trains. How far ahead seats can be reserved is set by the railway, so check the current rules before you plan a scenic rail leg.

    Official source: Sri Lanka Railways (opens in a new tab). Checked on October 11, 2026.

Use the official website only

Unofficial sellers are a known problem.

Trains in a journey

On our hill-country journeys the train is an optional leg between hill stations. If seats are not available, or you prefer, we use the road instead.

What to tell us

If a train ride matters to you, say so when you write to us. We raise it early when we plan your dates.

Sample journeys to explore

A traveller on a rock looking over jungle towards a large rock at sunsetIllustrative image

Sample journey

Island Highlights. View journey

A first introduction to Sri Lanka: ancient sites, hill country and the south coast in one flowing route.

  • Sigiriya
  • Kandy
  • Hill country
  • South coast
  • Often 10 to 14 days, always adjustable
Morning mist over green hills, a river and rice fields with palms in the foregroundIllustrative image

Sample journey

Hill Country by Rail and Trail. View journey

A walking-paced journey through the hill country: tea estates, misty ridges and the scenic railway, with time on foot.

  • Kandy
  • Nuwara Eliya area
  • Ella area
  • Often 7 to 9 days, always adjustable

Places mentioned in this guide

A decorated elephant and drummers on steps beside a temple, with a lake and hills at sunsetIllustrative image

Central hill country

Kandy. View destination

A hill city around a lake: the last capital of the Sinhala kings and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

A blue train crossing a stone viaduct on a hillside above mist and tea slopes at sunriseIllustrative image

Southern hill country

Ella. View destination

A small hill-country place for ridge and valley walks, tea slopes and views from the scenic railway.

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