Travel

The mid-morning prepare from Colombo, in Tea Nation.

Go to Sri Lanka and take the prepare…

Sri Lanka is a wonderful place – protected, pleasant and remarkably hassle-free. 
Taking the prepare is a good & cheap solution to get round, the prepare journeys are
actual cultural experiences and essentially the most
scenic routes might be highlights of your go to – particularly the
fantastic journey from Colombo to Kandy and up into Tea Nation and the coastal
prepare experience from Colombo to Dutch colonial Galle. 
British guests will discover the stations, sign packing containers and previous crimson semaphore
indicators very acquainted!  On this web page you may discover a newbie’s information to
taking the prepare round Sri Lanka.

Prepare instances & fares for key routes…

 
Colombo – Kandy –
Nuwara Eliya – Elle – Badulla

 
Colombo – Galle –
Matara:  The Coast Line

 
Colombo – Polonnaruwa,
Batticaloa, Trincomalee

 
Colombo – Anuradhapura
– Talaimannar/Jaffna

 
Colombo commuter: Negombo, Mount Laviniya,
Kalutara, Puttalam, Avissawella

Prepare journey information & methods to purchase tickets…

 
Easy methods to examine prepare instances & costs

 
Interactive route map

 
Easy methods to purchase tickets

 
Colombo Fort station & methods to discover your prepare

 
Baggage, meals & different ideas

 
What are Sri Lankan trains like?

 
A journey in
footage from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya

 

Watch the video: 

Colombo to Tea Nation by prepare

Different Sri Lanka journey info

 
Helpful nation info – visas, forex,
time zone, and many others

 
Recommended resorts in Colombo,
Kandy, Galle…

 
Journey to or from Sri Lanka by sea from India

 
Flights to Sri Lanka

 
Journey insurance coverage, Curve card & VPN

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Interactive route map… Click on a route for prepare instances & fares

• On this web page you may discover
  timetables & fares for the preferred trains, stations & routes:

  Colombo – Kandy –
  Hatton – Nuwara Eliya – Elle – Badulla

  Colombo – Galle –
  Matara

  Colombo – Galoya – Polonnaruwa,
  Batticaloa, Trincomalee

  Colombo – Anuradhapura
  – Talaimannar/Vavuniya – Jaffna

  Colombo commuter:  Negombo, Mt Laviniya,
  Kalutara, Puttalam, Avissawella

• You possibly can examine prepare instances
  between any two stations at
  www.railway.gov.lk, the
  official Sri Lanka Railways web site. 
  Click on English, then click on the pink Prepare schedule button and use the journey
  planner.

• You can too examine prepare
  instances & costs between particular stations utilizing the journey
  planner at http://slr.malindaprasad.com.  This website is cellular
  pleasant, so you may add it to your smartphone’s dwelling display screen and
  take it with you to Sri Lanka.

• These websites solely deal with direct trains, so
  do not count on them to inform you methods to get from (say) Kandy to Galle besides on
  the as soon as a day direct prepare.  And so they might solely present trains as having 2nd & third class even when additionally they have 1st –
  though comparatively few trains supply 1st class.  And the 2 websites typically
  disagree, so at all times double-check instances domestically.

Interactive route map… Click on a route for prepare instances & fares

Easy methods to purchase tickets…

…for unreserved vehicles

• Sri Lanka Railways
  2nd & third class unreserved vehicles can’t be booked upfront. 

  Tickets are solely offered on the day
  on the ticket workplace, typically from solely an hour earlier than departure.  Flip
  up, purchase a ticket and hop on, it is simple.  Tickets can’t promote out.

  Just about all trains have
  unreserved vehicles.  The unreserved vehicles are sometimes
  crowded, whether or not you get a seat depends upon whether or not you are becoming a member of on the
  beginning station or en route, and the way busy that day or time is.  If all
  seats are taken you stand, ideally wedged in an open doorway with a breeze
  wafting in and nice views…

• At Colombo Fort station,
  particular ticket home windows are designated for particular routes:

  – Counter 1 for Anuradhapura,
  Vavuniya, Talaimannar & Jaffna.

  – Counters 2 or Eight for Kandy,
  Hatton, Nanuoya, Haputale, Elle, Badulla.

  – Counter Three for Batticaloa or
  Trincomalee.

  – Counter Four for any station, 1st &
  2nd class tickets solely.

  – Counters 13 or 14 for Galle &
  Matara.

• On the Colombo-Galle-Matara route,
  nearly all seats are unreserved so pre-booking is neither mandatory nor potential.  The identical goes for
  all Colombo Commuter trains together with the
  Puttalam & Avissawella strains.

  Tip:  Many trains to Galle &
  Matara begin at Colombo Maradana station earlier than calling on the predominant Colombo Fort
  station.  Quite than board at Colombo Fort when many of the seats will
  already be taken, if you happen to board at Colombo Maradana you stand a superb probability of
  getting a superb seat on the coastal (proper hand) aspect of the prepare.

…for reserved vehicles

• What’s a reserved automobile?

  Many necessary longer-distance
  trains have a delegated 2nd class reserved automobile and typically a third class
  reserved automobile, along with the various unreserved vehicles.  Some trains
  have a 1st class automobile and 1st class seats are at all times reserved. 

  Seats in these reserved vehicles will be booked as much as
  30
  days upfront – elevated from 10 to 45 days in 2013, then diminished to 30 in
  2016.

  For those who purchase a ticket for a reserved
  automobile you might be assured a seat, and a particular seat quantity might be printed on
  your ticket.  The reserved vehicles are jealously guarded by an attendant,
  certainly he might lock off some exterior & gangway doorways to manage entry, and
  there are not any standees allowed – so reserved vehicles aren’t crowded.

• Demand for reserved seats
  exceeds provide…

  Tickets for the reserved vehicles
  typically promote out, so it is a good suggestion to purchase tickets in
  advance earlier than you get to Sri Lanka as defined within the subsequent part.

  Seats in 1st class statement vehicles &
  the air-con 1st class automobile on the blue trains from
  Colombo to Kandy & Badulla normally
  promote out nearly as quickly as reserving opens as do 1st
  class sleeping berths on all of the Night time Mail trains.  2nd class reserved
  vehicles additionally promote out nicely upfront on the Hill Nation trains
  from Colombo to Kandy & Badulla, so guide forward.

• If you’re instructed {that a} prepare is
  full…

  …this solely signifies that the
  reserved vehicles have offered out.  You possibly can
  nonetheless purchase an unreserved ticket on the station on the day for the 2nd & third class
  unreserved vehicles, these can’t promote out.  So you may nonetheless journey on that
  prepare, simply with no reserved seat.

  Tip:  If 2nd class reserved
  is offered out, ask for a third class reserved ticket (if obtainable).  A
  reserved seat in third is significantly better than standing in 2nd unreserved.

• At Colombo Fort…

  …you should purchase tickets for 1st, 2nd or third class reserved seat vehicles on the
  
  Berth/Intercity
  Reservations Workplace at Colombo Fort, marked counter 17, accessed from the entrance of
  the station in direction of the left hand finish of the station facade.  Inside
  the workplace there are separate counters for particular routes.  In accordance with
  the Sri Lanka Railways web site it is
  open 05:00-14:00, closed for lunch 12:30-13:30, however I’ve discovered it
  open as late as 17:00.  Go determine, because the People say…

  The Railway Vacationer
  Info Workplace on the entrance of Colombo Fort sells costly excursions, however not prepare
  tickets, so do not hassle with this.

• In Kandy, you can also make
  reservations at ticket workplace counters 1 & 2, marked because the Intercity counter.

Easy methods to purchase tickets on-line…

• Sri Lankan Railways do not
  supply on-line reserving, so to purchase tickets for a reserved automobile earlier than you get to Sri Lanka you may must
  use an company.

• Possibility 1, purchase on-line at

  12go.asia.

  You possibly can order Sri Lanka prepare
  tickets from 12go.asia, a
  dependable company specialising in rail & bus reserving all through Southeast Asia
  and already fashionable for prepare bookings Thailand and Vietnam. 

  You could order tickets
  greater than 32 days earlier than journey – this permits
  12go.asia to course of your
  order and purchase the tickets for you as quickly as Sri Lanka Railways opens reserving,
  which provides you the perfect probability of getting the date, prepare & class that you simply
  need.  Even so, tickets are in excessive demand, so I like to recommend choosing the
  Versatile choice once you guide, in order that in case your first alternative of prepare or
  class is unavailable, they will get you the following finest class or subsequent finest departure
  on the identical day.

  You acquire tickets from an workplace in
  Colombo or for a small additional price tickets will be delivered to your resort.

  Notice that
  12go.asia have programmed
  their website with all the preferred station to station journeys together with Colombo
  to or from the principle vacationer locations
  of Kandy, Nanuoya & Ella, however not each potential station to station pair. 
  Additionally do not forget that solely reserved seat tickets will be ordered,
  unreserved tickets have to be purchased on the station on the day.

  Suggestions can be appreciated if you happen to use
  them.

• Possibility 2, VisitSriLankaTours. 
  One other advisable company is
  visitsrilankatours.co.uk/train-tickets-1.html. 
  I’ve had quite a few constructive stories from individuals who have used them, and I’ve
  used them myself. Tickets will be collected at most main railway stations.

• Possibility 3, Tourmastertravelservices.  One other company with an easy-to-use
  web site with a web page for ordering prepare tickets is
  tourmastertravelservices.com.  I’ve had a minimum of two very constructive stories about
  Tourmatser up to now, extra suggestions can be appreciated.

• The privately-run ExpoRail & Rajadhani carriages Colombo-Kandy/Hatton-Nanuoya-Elle-Badulla
  & Colombo-Galle-Matara will be booked on-line at
  www.exporail.lk &
  www.rajadhani.lk. 
  However at present, Exporail have ceased operation and their web site is down.  Rajadhani’s web site says they’re
  quickly suspended too.

• Keep in mind these companies solely
  make bookings for the ‘reserved’ vehicles.  Even if you happen to’re instructed the prepare
  is ‘totally booked’ , you may at all times purchase a ticket on the day and journey
  ‘unreserved’, see the reason above.

Again to prime

Opened in 1917, Colombo Fort is
Colombo’s predominant station, proper within the coronary heart of the historic Fort space, strolling
distance from all of the sights.  All
mainline & commuter trains go from right here.  Colombo has a second predominant station
one cease (2 km) to the east known as

Maradana, most however not all trains cease right here, however Colombo Fort is the
best-located station to make use of.

• Sri Lankan Railways do not
  excel at buyer info, they do not have platform departure
  indicators nor do the trains themselves carry any vacation spot boards. 
  So at all times examine which platform your prepare leaves from as you enter the station.

• At Colombo Fort there’s one predominant
  digital departures & arrivals board, pictured beneath left, it is very simple to
  miss because it’s straight above and behind your head once you stroll onto
  platform Three via the principle ticket barrier subsequent to ticket counters 7, 8 & 9. 
  It will inform you which platform to go to, however keep in mind if you are going to
  Galle your prepare could also be proven as going to its last vacation spot, Matara, and
  if you are going to Hatton, Nanuoya, Haputale or Elle your prepare will
  in all probability be proven as going to Badulla.

• At most different stations there is a
  extra low-tech resolution to inform you the platform to go to, just like the board at
  Nanuoya station beneath proper.

Baggage,
meals & different ideas…

• You merely take your baggage with you
  onto the prepare and put it on the overhead racks above your seat.  The
  overhead racks will take something as much as a big backpack or
  hefty roll-along measurement.  An enormous suitcase – if you happen to insisted on travelling round
  Sri Lanka with such a factor – would simply go on the ground.  Baggage
  is not normally a problem, no person weighs it or worries about what you are taking.

• A handful of trains together with
  the Chinese language-built blue trains and most Night time Mails have a small
  buffet counter with restricted inventory – crisps, fizzy drinks, and scorching candy tea. 
  Nevertheless, in case you are in a reserved automobile the gangway doorways to the remainder of the prepare could also be locked, so do not assume
  you can get to the buffet.  It is best to carry your individual
  meals & drink.  It is scorching and humid in Sri Lanka, so at all times journey with
  loads of bottled water.  You could discover distributors wandering down the
  prepare, however do not depend on this – although if you happen to see the tea wallah, flag him
  down for a cup of beautiful scorching candy tea, 40 rupees (20p) or so per cup.

 
2nd & third class on basic trains

 
1st class statement vehicles, Colombo to Tea
Nation

 
Chinese language-built blue prepare, Colombo
to Kandy & Tea Nation

 
S11 diesel trains from Colombo to Galle & Matara

 
2nd & third class in newer vehicles on the
northern strains

 
Night time Mail 1st class berths

 
Night time Mail 2nd & third class sleeperetts

 
Privately-run Exporail automobile

 
Privately-run Rajadhani automobile

Basic
trains with 2nd & third class seats…

The everyday Sri Lankan mainline
prepare has 2nd & third class unreserved seats in aged brown coaches like
this…  Doorways and home windows normally stay vast open, the trains seldom
exceed 50mph…

A 1st class statement automobile is hooked up
to the rear of prepare 1007/1008 on the amazingly scenic route from
Colombo to Hatton, Nanuoya, Elle, Haputale & Badulla, and to a number of different
trains on that route, see the timetable
right here.  It
has comfy (if previous) reserved seats going through giant rear home windows trying again
alongside the observe.  It is very fashionable & normally will get fully-booked, so
guide forward.  A few of these statement vehicles aren’t air-conditioned so the aspect home windows open, ideally suited for
viewing & images.  Nevertheless, some vehicles now have air-conditioning,
yours might or might not have.  Do not count on any catering, so carry your individual meals
& drink.  Baggage goes on overhead racks
above your seat, or on the ground.

The Man in Seat 61 says “If
you will get tickets for it, the first class statement automobile is the easiest way to
expertise and {photograph} the journey from Colombo up into Tea Nation. 
The superb view again alongside the observe offers an unrivalled image of how this
fantastic railway is constructed, typically hugging the hillside with overhanging
rocks…”

Launched in 2012, these fashionable
Chinese language-built class S12 trains function the day by day Podi Menike and
Udatara Menike trains between Colombo, Kandy, Tea Nation and Badulla,
see the timetable right here. 
There is a
energy automobile and driving cab at every finish of the prepare, between which there’s one 1st class air-conditioned
reserved seats automobile, one 2nd class reserved automobile, two 2nd class unreserved vehicles,
three third class unreserved vehicles (one with a small buffet counter) and one
third class reserved automobile.  2nd & third class vehicles aren’t air-conditioned and
include giant opening home windows.  Baggage as much as back-pack sized matches on the overhead
racks, or within the 2nd class vehicles there’s additionally a flooring to ceiling baggage rack for
bigger objects.

The Man in Seat 61 says: 
“These blue trains are approach forward of different Sri Lankan trains in consolation –
though if you will get a seat in it, a 1st class
statement automobile on a basic prepare would nonetheless be my first alternative for a
journey into the hills. However a seat within the 2nd class reserved automobile on a blue prepare
can be my subsequent alternative.”

Tip 1:  The
air-conditioned first-class automobile (AFC) is nearly as much as western requirements, with
material reclining seats, seat-back tables & ceiling-hung video screens,
luckily with no sound.  So if you happen to completely insist on air-conditioned
western-style consolation, that is the way in which to go.  However earlier than you make a
knee-jerk determination to go first-class, assume it via.  Within the AFC automobile you
are sealed in behind small and barely grubby home windows and you will not expertise
the journey totally.  You possibly can’t take respectable surroundings pictures until you nip to
one of many inward-opening entrance doorways.  You’ll expertise the surroundings
much better in 2nd class reserved seats with their giant open home windows.

Tip 2:  The second
class reserved automobile (SCR) is nice choice, with cozy seats, armrests & drop-down seatback
tables, and a breeze wafting in via open home windows.  For those who discover the
SCR automobile fully-booked, a seat within the third class
reserved automobile (TCR) is an efficient various, so do not knock it – you might be higher
off with a assured seat within the uncrowded third class reserved automobile with no
standees allowed than with no seat in a full-and-standing 2nd class unreserved
automobile.

Tip 3:  Keep away from ready
on the improper finish of the platform, particularly at an intermediate station akin to
Nanuoya or Elle!  The AFC & SCR
vehicles on these trains are normally on the Colombo (West) finish of the prepare between
Colombo and Kandy, and on the Badulla (East) finish of the prepare between Kandy &
Badulla – these trains have a driving cab at each ends and alter route at
Kandy, which is a terminus.  So at Colombo Fort once you stroll off the
forecourt onto the platform, look to your proper and the AFC & SCR vehicles might be
in direction of that finish of the platform.  Whenever you board at Kandy, the AFC & SCR
vehicles will normally be furthest from the buffer stops.

Tip 4:  You normally
board the AFC or SCR vehicles via the AFC doorway subsequent to the SCR – the attendant
might have locked different exterior doorways to manage entry
to the reserved vehicles.  Equally, the interior gangway door between the
AFC/SCR vehicles and the remainder of the prepare will in all probability be locked, so do not count on
to go to the buffet.  Deliver your individual meals & drink, though the tea wallah has been recognized to make it into the 2nd reserved automobile
– that scorching candy
tea is gorgeous, do strive it!

Launched in 2011, these trains
function key departures on the Colombo-Galle-Matara route – different departures are
basic trains.  They’ve 2nd &
third class unreserved seats, with an influence automobile at one finish and a driving cab at each
ends.  Like most Sri Lankan trains, the doorways usually stay vast open
whereas the prepare is shifting.  The 2nd class seats are comfy and have
drop down tables and armrests.

Sri Lankan Railways has
some newer Chinese language-built vehicles like this, which you may normally discover on
the northern routes, for instance sure trains from Colombo to Jaffna,
Talaimannar & Batticaloa.  An enormous enchancment on the
basic trains.

A 1st class sleeping-car is hooked up to a handful of Night time Mail trains. 
The vehicles have lockable 2-berth compartments with separate bathroom & washbasin. 
The vehicles are previous, pretty fundamental and a tad grubby, so handle expectations
accordingly, however they’re comfy sufficient with clear bedding supplied. 
There’s just one sleeping-car per prepare, they’re very fashionable and normally get fully-booked quickly after bookings open. 
So guide forward, and have a plan B if you cannot get a sleeper. 
Pictured beneath is the distinctly-Indian design of sleeper on the Night time Mail from
Colombo to Badulla.

Night time Mail 2nd & third class
sleeperetts…

Sleeperetts are reserved seats
which recline to about 30-40 levels.  Night time Mail trains
usually have one 2nd class reserved sleeperett automobile, one third class
reserved sleeperett automobile, and a number of other unreserved 2nd & third class common
seats vehicles.

A few trains a day on
the route from Colombo to Kandy & Tea Nation carry a privately-run 1st class
air-conditioned ExpoRail automobile with particular fares, WiFi, energy sockets &
inclusive meals, see www.exporail.lk and the timetable right here.  The Exporail carriages on the Colombo-Kandy & Colombo-Nanu
Oya-Badulla routes usually have a small open-air viewing platform at one finish,
ideally suited for images.

Replace: 
The Exporail automobile is not working – Exporail have ceased
operation.

The Man in Seat 61 says, “The Exporail automobile may be very cozy, simple to guide on-line and fashionable
with vacationers.  The open air viewing platform makes it a
nice choice on the Tea Nation route –  however keep in mind that they typically
allocate a considerably tatty older automobile with no viewing platform, by which case you may be
sealed in and can be much better off in an everyday Sri Lanka Railways automobile with
opening home windows.”

A privately-run air-conditioned
1st class automobile is hooked up to at least one Colombo-Kandy prepare, one Colombo-Tea Nation
prepare (timetable right here) and one
Colombo-Galle-Matara prepare (timetable right here).  It has leather-based seats
& free WiFi, see

www.rajadhani.lk.

The Rajadhani
carriage is
cancelled in the intervening time resulting from contractual points, examine their web site for
any updates.  It is now been cancelled for a while.

The Man in Seat 61 says, “The
Rajadhani automobile dates from 1970, so externally it is older and grubbier than their
web site suggests.  However it’s simple to guide on-line, it is very cozy, nicely
air-conditioned, has efficient WiFi  – if you happen to accurately enter the world’s
longest WiFi password, that’s – and may be very fashionable with vacationers.  On the
draw back you might be sealed in behind small and really grubby home windows, making it a
poor solution to expertise the journey.  Taking pictures of the surroundings is
nearly not possible, so you might be higher off in common 2nd class.  I additionally bought
completely no meals or drink service once I used Rajadhani on the Galle route. 
I might say Exporail is a minimize above Rajadhani, though they’re broadly comparable
ideas”

Again to prime

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The prepare experience from Colombo to Kandy and up into the tea plantations of Sri
Lanka’s hill nation is
actually fantastic, not simply transportation however a basic journey that is simply the perfect prepare experience in Sri Lanka. 
I like to recommend a reserved seat within the 1st class statement automobile if you will get one, failing {that a} seat within the 2nd or third class reserved vehicles on one of many
glorious new
Chinese language-built blue trains. 
See the journey
from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya in footage &

watch the video!

Sri Lanka Railways usually tweaks its timetable,
so examine present instances as proven right here

* Prepare 1005/1006 is the PODI MENIKE, fashionable Chinese language-built blue
prepare, advisable.

** Prepare 1015/1016 is the UDARATA MENIKE,
fashionable Chinese language-built blue
prepare, advisable.

*** Prepare 1001 is the DENUWARA MENIKE, newest model of the
fashionable Chinese language-built blue
prepare, runs each 2nd day beginning 1 Nov 2019.

Prepare 1001/2 will run day by day as soon as an extra trainset is delivered from China.

O = 1st class statement automobile with reserved
seats,
might or is probably not air-conditioned, advisable.

1 = 1st class air-conditioned automobile
with reserved seats.

2 = 2nd class seats.

3 = third class seats.

Sleeper = NIGHT MAIL with 1st class sleepers (2-berth compartments),
2nd & third class reserved sleeperetts (reclining seats),
2nd & third unreserved seats.

At all times examine prepare instances to your date of journey
as proven right here, and examine all instances
domestically.

Easy methods to purchase tickets, reserved & unreserved
defined     
Baggage & different ideas     
Recommended resorts
in Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

Peradeniya Junction
is 6 km (3½ miles) from Kandy.  Take a tuk-tuk
or bus right here to board
trains for Hatton, Nanuoya, Elle & Badulla if they do not name at Kandy.

A number of trains a day hyperlink Kandy & Matale,
examine instances as proven right here.  Kandy is basically a terminus,
however platform 1 is a via platform utilized by Matale
trains.

Kids beneath 12 pay half fare
with Sri Lanka Railways, kids beneath Three journey free.  Sleeperetts on the Night time Mail prepare prices
the identical as a reserved seat.

Nuwara Eliya (the Metropolis of
lights) is a colonial hill station 2,000 metres above
sea degree, surrounded by tea plantations  It is easy
to succeed in, simply take a prepare to Nanuoya station, 6 km
from central Nuwara Eliya.  You will discover loads of taxis and tuk tuks
obtainable on the station.

Kandy station…

Visiting Kandy…

Traveller’s stories…

Traveller Antony Smith stories 
“All of the home windows within the 1st statement automobile opened totally
so, although it was a baking scorching day, the carriage was
splendidly breezy and naturally cooled. And sure there
are solely two pairs of seats with uninterrupted views
via the rear statement window, however to be sincere
the perfect views are to the edges anyway moderately than again
down the observe.  And there is a nice child-like
pleasure available from sticking your head out of an
open aspect window, which you’ll be able to’t do within the seats
straight in entrance of the rear statement window. I do
agree about not eager to be locked right into a ‘tour bus’
atmosphere with solely different vacationers for firm, however
passengers within the 1st statement automobile on the day we
travelled had been an actual mixture of Westerners and Sri Lankans.
We took a peek on the ExpoRail ‘luxurious’ carriage (which
now additionally does the prepare we had been on, the 05.55 Podi
Menike from Colombo).  It’s undoubtedly
comfy, although not luxurious for my part, and has
the benefit of on-line reserving and on-board catering. 
However it lacked the old school allure of the first
statement automobile and a 100% vacationer solely
expertise, principally tour teams.”

Traveller
Graeme Thorley stories “I assumed the statement automobile to
Kandy was okay though it requires you to journey
backwards (in my case a minimum of) which isn’t to
everybody’s style. It additionally bought extremely scorching (36°C
at one level) as a result of giant window and there have been
solely a restricted variety of seats that had a very good
view. Quite irritatingly on my outbound journey two of
these had been occupied by individuals who slept for many of the
journey..! The opposite level is that the carriage was
occupied nearly solely by Westerners – this could be
thought of a superb factor however personally I felt it left me
extra distant from the travelling expertise.  On the
prepare to Anuradhapura a number of locals stopped to talk,
practise their English, change complaints concerning the
delays and many others. I additionally ran into one of many households I had
met on the prepare while sightseeing (they recognised me)
and we had one other chat. I discover that kind of factor an
necessary a part of travelling.”

Traveller Paul White stories “Don’t panic if you happen to
can’t get a ticket for the first class air conditioned
trains to Kandy.  2nd class is greater than enough,
however do strive & get a window seat. One of the best aspect to sit down on
for surroundings is the suitable hand aspect as you face ahead
from Colombo to Kandy, as this will provide you with the perfect
views when you get previous Rambukkana.  Do be courageous
and take a look at the meals on the trains! Many distributors will wander
up and down promoting chilly drinks, fruit, spicy snacks and
so on at affordable costs.”

Again to prime

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The Coast Line…

Galle – pronounced Gawl in
English or Gaar-ler by the locals, is an actual gem and the fort space with
its Dutch colonial buildings shouldn’t be missed.  Plan to remain there if
you may – see some advised
resorts right here – however if you cannot then a minimum of do a day journey to Galle from Colombo. 
One of the best ways to get to Galle is by prepare, utilizing the coastal railway
which runs all alongside the coast from Colombo, previous the Indian Ocean surf, palms and seashores. 
A deal with!

Sri Lanka Railways usually tweaks its timetables,
so examine present instances as proven right here.

Until proven in any other case, trains run daily.      
Recommended resorts
in Colombo & Galle

* = Chinese language-built Blue Prepare, of newest
type delivered 2019.

1 = all-reserved 1st class statement automobile,
air-conditioned, runs on prepare 8050 & 8051.  Might be booked at 12go.asia
with a minimum of 32 days discover.

2 = unreserved 2nd class seats, some departures
basic & some S11.

3 = unreserved third class seats, some departures
basic & some S11.

The once-daily via service Kandy-Galle-Matara can also be proven above. 

Most trains on this route are basic trains, however
a number of afternoon departures from Colombo & a number of morning departures from
Matara & Galle are S11 diesel models.

Many extra Colombo Commuter trains hyperlink
Colombo with Mount Lavinia & Kalutara South, these aren’t proven right here.

At all times examine prepare instances to your date of journey
as proven right here, and double-check prepare instances
domestically.

Kids beneath 12 pay half fare,
kids beneath Three journey free.

Easy methods to purchase tickets…

One prepare per day on the
Colombo-Galle-Matara route has an all-reserved 1st class statement automobile which
must be booked upfront, however all
different trains simply have 2nd & third class unreserved seats with tickets offered on the
day of journey, no reserved seats and no 1st class.  Simply flip up, purchase a ticket on the ticket workplace and hop
on.  Tickets can’t promote out!

Tip:  Quite than board at
Colombo Fort when many of the seats might already be taken, if you happen to board at
Colombo Maradana you stand a superb probability of getting a seat, even a superb seat on
the coastal (proper hand) aspect of the prepare.

A prepare experience from Colombo to
Galle…

Galle station…

Visiting the previous fort space in
Galle…

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The prepare to the east coast…

Sri Lanka Railways usually tweaks its timetables,
so examine present instances as proven right here.

(06:05) = Depart Colombo 06:05, arrive Galoya 11:36,
change trains, depart Galoya 12:00 for Trincomalee.

(15:15) = Arrive Colombo at 15:15, having modified at Galoya Junction from
native prepare into the specific.

Prepare 6011 makes use of the newer sort of
2nd & third class seats.

Sleeper =
NIGHT MAIL with 1st class sleepers (2-berth compartments),
2nd & third class reserved sleeperetts (reclining seats), 2nd & third
unreserved seats, buffet automobile.

At all times examine prepare instances to your date of journey
as proven right here &
double-check all prepare instances domestically.

Kids beneath 12 pay half
fare, kids beneath Three journey free.  * = Reclining sleeperett seats.

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The Northern Line…

Trains hyperlink
Colombo with Anuradhapura, Vavuniya & now Talaimannar & Jaffna.  In
1990 trains stopped working to Jaffna or Talaimannar Pier (beforehand the
ferry terminal for India) due to longstanding safety issues, however in September 2013 trains
had been reinstated so far as Kilinochchi, from early 2014 so far as Pallai and
lastly the road to Jaffna reopened in mid-October 2014.  The
trains to Jaffna now proceed so far as Kankesanthurai.  Trains had been
restored to Talaimannar city & Talaimannar Pier in April 2015, though there is no ferry to or
from India.

Sri Lanka Railways usually tweaks its timetables,
so examine present instances as proven right here.

IC = InterCity. 

Sleeper = NIGHT MAIL, 1st class air-con seats automobile, 2nd & third class reserved sleeperetts,
2nd & third unreserved seats, buffet. 
This prepare has no 1st class berths.

O = 1st class statement automobile with reserved seats
of the newer sort.

1 = 1st class automobile with reserved seats,
normally the newer sort, however prepare 4021/4022 is an all-air-con-1st
class model of an S12 blue prepare.

2 = 2nd class seats, reserved & unreserved,
normally the newer sort.

3 = third class seats, unreserved,
normally the newer sort.

* = air-conditioned

At all times examine prepare instances to your date of journey
as proven right here.   
Easy methods to purchase tickets    
Resorts
in Sri Lanka

 

Kids beneath 12 pay half
fare, kids beneath Three journey free.  Reclining sleeperetts on the Night time
Mail prepare price the identical as a reserved seat.

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Colombo Fort – Negombo – Chillaw
– Puttalam (Puttalam Line)

Colombo Fort – Mount Laviniya –
Kalutara North – Kalutara South (Coast Line)

Colombo Fort – Gampaha – Rambukkana
(Major line)

Colombo Fort – Avissawella (Kelani
Valley Line)

• Colombo Commuter trains
  hyperlink Colombo with varied stations within the Colombo space,
  together with Mount Laviniya (for the well-known
  Mount Laviniya Resort), Negombo,
  Puttalam, Kalutara North & Kalutara South
  the place there are a lot of fashionable resort resorts.  Though fundamental, these
  commuter trains are perfect for reaching your resort cheaply, or making day
  journeys into Colombo throughout your keep.  As you’d count on, they get crowded
  at peak travel-to-work instances however they’re completely bearable exterior the
  peaks.

• To lookup prepare instances, use
  both http://slr.malindaprasad.com
  or www.railway.gov.lk
  (click on English then Prepare schedule)

• Colombo Commuter trains are
  third class solely.  Fares are extremely low cost:  Colombo to Kalutara
  South or Negombo prices 40 rupees, about 20p.  Purchase a ticket on the
  ticket workplace & hop on.

• Notice that Colombo-Galle
  mainline trains additionally name at Mount Laviniya & Kalutara South (however not
  Kalutara North).  Colombo-Kandy mainline trains additionally name at Rambukkana.

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The well-known & luxurious 4-star

Galle Face Resort
in Colombo is unbelievable, a
agency favorite of mine, however price-wise it is an actual steal by western
requirements.  Totally modernised, however nonetheless brimming with previous colonial allure, it is
simply south of Colombo metropolis centre, a 5 minute tuk-tuk experience from Colombo Fort
station or you may stroll into city in 20 minutes alongside the Galle Face Inexperienced
promenade.  Many well-known visitors have stayed right here, from Alec
Guinness and Duke Ellington to Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.  You will
pictures of movie star visitors within the resort museum on the 2nd flooring, together with HRH
Worth Philip’s first automobile, purchased in Ceylon in 1940 for £12.  The resort
options a superb outside swimming pool with lido alongside the Indian Ocean, a spa, and really inexpensive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets
served on the veranda beneath whirring ceiling followers.  Rooms have free WiFi,
tea & espresso amenities, valuables protected, air-con.  One of the best place to remain
in Colombo, shut sufficient to go to the town centre but you’re feeling such as you’re
staying in a resort. 

Examine costs & guide.  Additionally price mentioning because it’s one other
well-known basic luxurious resort, this time a brief commuter prepare experience south of
Colombo, is the

Mount Laviniya Resort.

For those who’re on a price range however nonetheless desire a basic historic place to remain, Colombo’s
different well-known previous colonial resort is the

Grand Oriental Resort, recognized domestically because the G.O.H.  In former instances, once you stepped off the steamer from Blighty and
walked out of the Port Authority Constructing, the P&O Constructing can be throughout the
street on one aspect of York Road, the venerable G.O.H. on the opposite.  The
G.O.H. hasn’t had the upmarket western-style makeover just like the Galle Face, so
it is lower than half the worth – light grandeur on a price range.  However it’s very comfy and completely
situated amongst the previous colonial buildings of the Fort space, 15 minutes stroll
from Colombo Fort Station.  Low-cost breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets are
served within the restaurant on the 4th flooring with nice views over Colombo harbour. 
There is a valuables protected in your room, air-con, room service, tea & espresso
amenities and free WiFi.  The deluxe rooms even characteristic a four-poster mattress. 

Examine costs & guide.

Sticking with the light colonial
grandeur theme, the cheap Queen’s Resort in Kandy additionally has a protracted and
venerable historical past.  Constructed as a residence for the Governor of Ceylon and a
barracks for the Ceylon Rifle Regiment, well-known visitors embody Lord Mountbatten
of Burma who stayed usually when Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia. 
The resort is completely situated throughout the street from each Kandy
Lake and Kandy’s prime attraction, the Temple of the Tooth, and only a 15-minute
stroll or 5-minute tuk-tuk experience from Kandy station.  Just like the G.O.H. it
hasn’t had the upmarket western-style makeover, so it is comparatively
cheap, simply do not count on the crimson carpet up the steps to be spotless. 
It is a favorite with impartial travellers and better of all has an open-air
swimming pool and lido adjoining to the wood-panelled bar within the centre of the
buildings, an oasis within the coronary heart of the town.  Rooms have
excessive ceilings, tile or teak flooring, ceiling followers, air-con, tea & espresso
amenities, safes, and free WiFi. 

Examine costs & guide.

Really helpful resort in Nuwara Eliya: 

The Grand Resort…

Nonetheless amongst the perfect resorts in
the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, the venerable Grand Resort is each elegant and
historic, you may examine its historical past at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Hotel_(Nuwara_Eliya).  Even if you happen to don’t remain right here, a minimum of have a drink within the bar… 

Examine costs & guide.

Really helpful resorts in Galle…

There are an entire host of
boutique resorts and guesthouses within the previous historic Galle Fort space, which is
the place you may wish to keep. High of the heap is the completely fantastic however
silly-money (even by western requirements, at £500+)

Amangalla Resort, completely situated a number of yards from the Dutch Reformed
Church.  Previously the New Oriental Resort, it has a protracted 140+ yr historical past. 
Not less than have a cup of tea on the veranda!  Additionally glorious, upmarket and
not low cost, however half the worth of the Amangalla is the close by

Galle Fort Resort.  For one thing far more inexpensive, doubtlessly
beneath £100, however nonetheless deluxe, boutique and completely situated within the historic
fort space, strive

Fortaleza or the

Fort Printers.  On a good price range, strive the

Antic Guesthouse, at beneath £50.

Permit for taxes when reserving
Sri Lankan resorts..

When reserving Sri Lankan resorts,
observe that Sri Lankan nationwide & metropolis taxes typically aren’t included within the value
you see, not like costs proven for resorts in Europe.  This may add 25%-30% to
the worth you see.

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Ferry service to/from India re-started June 2011, suspended once more Dec
2011…

• After a few years of being minimize off from one another, a brand new ferry service
  began between Colombo in Sri Lanka and Tuticorin in India
  in June 2011, web site www.flemingoliners.com.  The trendy cruise
  ferry ‘Scotia Prince’ began crusing twice per week in
  every route, leaving at
  18:00 and arriving at 08:00 subsequent morning, though
  crusing days modified from week to week.  All
  passengers bought a sleeping berth in a cabin, fares ranged
  from 2,243 Indian rupees (about £47 or $77) in an economic system
  class single-berth cabin to 2,760 Indian rupees (£58 or
  $95) in a brilliant deluxe single-berth cabin, all fares
  included a non-alcoholic ‘welcome aboard’ drink and a
  fixed-menu dinner.  That they had aspirations to make
  it a day by day service in the end. 

• Nevertheless, resulting from
  a dispute over cash owed to the caterers(!), the ferry
  was impounded in December 2011,
  and is not at present working.  The operator is not positive when
  (or if) it
  will resume.  A second ferry service, between Rameswaram and Talaimannar
  was rumoured to be beginning by
  the tip of 2011, however once more no particulars can be found and
  nothing appears to have occurred.  So at present no
  ferries in any respect hyperlink India with Sri Lanka.

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1) 
Examine flight costs at
Opodo,

www.opodo.com…

Sri Lankan airways fly direct from the UK to Colombo, and are excellent.

2) 
Use Skyscanner to match flight costs & routes
worldwide throughout 600 airways…

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I
strongly suggest taking a Lonely Planet or Tough Information…

Even within the age of the web, it is sensible to put money into a guidebook, each
for planning and carrying once you’re there.  Do not count on the web to
inform you the whole lot, particularly when on the transfer with sky-high cellular knowledge
prices! 
For impartial travellers, I contemplate the perfect guides are the
Tough Guides or Lonely Planets.

Purchase
Lonely Planet information to Sri Lanka on-line at Amazon.co.uk

Purchase
Tough Information to Sri Lanka on-line at Amazon.co.uk

 

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At all times take out journey insurance coverage…

By no means journey abroad with out journey insurance coverage from a dependable
insurer, with a minimum of £1m or ideally £5m medical cowl.  It also needs to cowl
cancellation and lack of money and belongings, as much as a wise
restrict. 
An annual
multi-trip coverage is normally cheaper than a number of single-trip
insurance policies even for simply 2 or Three journeys
a yr, I’ve an annual coverage myself.  Listed below are some advised insurers. 
Seat61 will get a small fee if you happen to purchase via these
hyperlinks.

In
the UK, dependable insurers embody

Columbus Direct.

You probably have a pre-existing medical situation or are over 65, see
www.JustTravelCover.com
– 10% low cost with code seat61.

You
can use

Confused.com to match costs & insurance policies from many
completely different insurers.

 
 
   
If
you reside in
Australia, New Zealand, Eire or the EU, strive

Columbus Direct’s different web sites.

 

For those who dwell within the USA strive

Journey Guard USA.

A Curve card
saves on international transaction charges…

Most banks provide you with a poor
change charge, then cost you a forex conversion price.  A Curve
MasterCard means no international transaction charges and offers you the mid-market
change charge, a minimum of as much as a sure restrict, £500 per 30 days at time of
writing.  The steadiness goes straight onto one among your current debit or
bank cards.

The way it works:  1.
Obtain the app for
iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your particulars & they will ship you a Curve
MasterCard – they ship to most European addresses together with the UK.  3.
Hyperlink your current credit score & debit playing cards to the app.  4. Now use the Curve
MasterCard to purchase issues on-line or in particular person or take money from ATMs, identical to a
regular MasterCard. Curve does the forex conversion and places the steadiness onto
whichever of your debit or bank cards you select.  You possibly can even change
your thoughts about which card it goes onto, inside 14 days of the transaction.

I’ve a Curve Blue card myself
– I get some fee if you happen to signal as much as Curve, however I am recommending it right here
as a result of it is nice. 
See particulars, obtain
the app and get a Curve card. Use code MAN61 to get £5 cashback after
signing up and utilizing your Curve card the primary time.

Whenever you’re travelling you typically use free WiFi in public locations which is probably not
safe.  A VPN means your connection to the web is encrypted & at all times
safe, even utilizing unsecured WiFi.  In international locations akin to China the place entry
to Twitter & Fb is restricted, a VPN will get round these restrictions. 
And lastly, you may choose the geographic location of the IP deal with you browse
with, to get round geographic restrictions which some web sites apply – for
instance one reserving website expenses a reserving price to non-European guests however none
to European guests, so if you happen to’re not situated in Europe you may keep away from this price
by looking with a UK IP deal with utilizing a VPN. 
VPNs & why you want one defined. 

NordVPN & ExpressVPN
are the 2 finest buys and I exploit
ExpressVPN myself.

 

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