The short answer
- Kandy to Ella by train
- Not possible end to end yet
- Running
- Nanu Oya to Ella and Badulla
- Best workaround
- Drive to Nanu Oya, train to Ella
- Status checked
- Early October 2026
What's changed recentlyShow
- 2 Oct 2026Trains resumed between Colombo Fort, Peradeniya and Gampola after more than 10 months. Peradeniya to Kandy stays closed while the Peradeniya bridge is repaired.
- Jul 2026The Nanu Oya to Ella and Badulla section reopened, including the famous stretch through Ohiya, Idalgashinna and Demodara.
- Jun 2026Repairs between Nanu Oya and Ambewela were completed and trains returned to the upper hill country.
- Late Nov 2025Cyclone Ditwah caused landslides and damage along the upcountry line, suspending trains between Colombo, Kandy and Badulla.
The seven hour train ride from Kandy to Ella, through tea estates, tunnels and over the Nine Arches Bridge, is one of the world's great rail journeys. Cyclone Ditwah at the end of November 2025 caused landslides and damaged bridges along the line, and it has been reopening in stages ever since.
The good news: the most spectacular part, from Nanu Oya to Ella, is running again. Most travellers now drive from Kandy to Nanu Oya and take the train from there.
Section by section: what is running
Colombo to Badulla line: what is running
Status as reported early October 2026
Colombo Fort
Running
Rambukkana
RunningResumed 2 October 2026 after more than 10 months
Peradeniyajunction for Kandy; the short branch to Kandy is closed
RunningResumed 2 October 2026
Gampola
Repairs under wayRestoration still in progress
Nawalapitiya
RunningRunning normally
Hatton
Repairs under wayRestoration still in progress
Nanu Oyafor Nuwara Eliya
RunningReopened in July 2026: the most scenic section
Ella
Running
Badulla
Tip: We update this page as sections reopen. Before you travel, check with your hotel, driver or the Department of Railways, as timetables can still change at short notice.
How to ride the scenic part now
- Kandy to Nanu Oya by road: About 2.5 to 3 hours with a driver, through tea country, often with a stop at a tea factory or Ramboda Falls.
- Nanu Oya to Ella by train: About 3 to 3.5 hours, climbing past Pattipola, the highest station on the line, then down through Ohiya, Haputale and Demodara to Ella.
- Or the other way: Ella to Nanu Oya works just as well, then drive on to Kandy or Nuwara Eliya.
- Nuwara Eliya: Nanu Oya is the station for Nuwara Eliya, about 15 minutes away, so a night there fits naturally.
Classes and seats
| Class | What it is like | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| First class observation | Air conditioned, sealed windows; on some trains a rear observation carriage | Reserved; sells out first |
| Second class reserved | Fans and open windows and doors, the classic photo experience | Reserved seats |
| Second and third class unreserved | Cheap and crowded, especially at weekends | Buy at the station on the day |
Fares are low, from a few hundred to a few thousand rupees depending on class. Special tourist trains run on some dates; check the current timetable.
Tip: Many travellers find second class reserved the best of both worlds: a guaranteed seat, with windows and doors that open for photos.
Booking tickets
- Reserved seats go on sale about a month ahead through Sri Lanka Railways' online reservation system and at major stations.
- In peak season (December to April) reserved seats can sell out weeks ahead. Hotels, drivers and tour operators can often book for you.
- If reserved seats are gone, unreserved tickets are sold on the day. Board early at Nanu Oya to find a seat.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Kandy to Ella train running in 2026?
Not end to end. As of early October 2026, trains run from Nanu Oya to Ella and Badulla, and from Colombo to Peradeniya and Gampola, but sections between Gampola and Nanu Oya and the branch into Kandy are still being repaired.
What is the most scenic part of the Kandy to Ella train?
The section from Nanu Oya to Ella, through Pattipola, Ohiya, Haputale and over the Nine Arches Bridge near Demodara. It is running again.
How long is the train from Nanu Oya to Ella?
About 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on the train.
When will the full line reopen?
The railway department has not confirmed a date. Official updates in 2026 pointed to the end of 2026 or early 2027 for most remaining sections.
Sources we checked
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