5 Tips to Enjoy The World’s Most Beautiful Train Ride

read about the train from Kandy to Ella being one of the most beautiful in the world prior to going on my recent trip to Sri Lanka. It sounded incredible and I knew I had to see if for myself.

Firstly, it is the most beautiful train ride I have been on. It’s beautiful for the mountainous terrain the train traverses through, for clouds that you can almost touch and that breeze that washes over you. But for me it was beautiful for more reasons than that. For me, it showed Sri Lanka in all its facets, including the people who lived there; the lone house on top of a hill and the busy towns and the crowded slums. The smiling waving locals, so happy to see others enjoying their country brought a deep sense of gratitude and warmth.

After doing the trip from Ella to Nuwara Eliya I wanted to share my thoughts on the experience and tips on how you too can enjoy it. 

1. Book train tickets early
I booked my train ticket a month in advance and the train I wanted to go on was already booked out so I had to reverse my trip order! I was travelling in Sri Lanka during January and there were a lot of tourists around. 

2. The observation cart is worth it
It’s a bit more of an expensive ticket compared to the other classes but I could see how crowded the other classes were and was grateful that my carriage only had a few people. The observation cart has a large glass window right at the back of the carriage so try to get those seats. Note that you’re going backwards in comparison to the rest of the train. 

3. The blue train is the pretty train
You’ve probably seen it in pictures; the contrast of the light blue against the green landscape looks incredible. I ended up getting on the red train, which was just as an amazing experience but I was definitely hoping for the blue train!

4. Get on at Badulla station
If you’re going from Ella towards Kandy, board the train at Badulla station. It’s the station before Ella, hence you miss all the crowds at Ella station and you get to travel over two bridges and 9 arches

5. Photo opportunities
If you’re travelling from Ella towards Kandy, as you go over both bridges the train curves to the right, so stay on the right side for that beautiful photo opportunity. Obviously I love taking photos and sometimes I have to stop and think to enjoy the moment instead. This was one of those train rides where after I while, I put the camera down and just relaxed. 

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