Train riding has been a recreational and adventurous activity of Sri Lanka since colonial times. Perfect for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and other travellers, Sri Lanka offers a number of unique train rides that take from just an hour to nearly half a day.

One of the most exciting attractions of these train rides is that the scenery changes within minutes. For example, it just takes an hour to leave the bustling city of Colombo to the eye-catching lush green tea plantations and waterfalls of the hill country.

Popular train rides of this beautiful and tourist-friendly island include the Colombo to Kandy route, Kandy to Badulla, Colombo to Galle, and the Colombo to Jaffna ride. The most iconic ride could be the “Ella to Badulla” train journey.

The rail tickets are affordable and there are multiple trains per day. Both traditional and non-stop train rides are available on most days of the year. In 2021, Lonely Planet has described Sri Lanka’s train rides as “epic”.