How to Travel the Ella Odyssey Train Route in Sri Lanka

Taking a train ride in Sri Lanka is undoubtedly a unique experience, and there can hardly be a finer choice in this regard than riding the Ella Odyssey, a special luxury train service targeted mainly at tourists. You may well have seen images of the scenic sights that you can experience on this distinctive journey, which may be counted amongst the most picturesque in the world. Some useful information regarding enjoying this amazing ride is provided below. 

Understand what it is 

The popular Ella Odyssey happens to be a special train service that will capture the interest of tourists; it travels from Colombo to Badulla, running through Sri Lanka’s lovely hill country and providing stunning scenic sights for the traveller. This train is intentionally slower, very enjoyable and designed for those who desire to admire beautiful scenery rather than solely experience creature comforts. Sri Lankan Railways launched this service in 2022. Whilst following the well-known Colombo to Badulla line, the Ella Odyssey makes stops at the renowned viewpoints. The highlights of this service are larger windows, tourist-friendly seats and somewhat more space than the regular train lines. 

Enjoy the highlights 

As you might expect, you would have the opportunity to experience some striking sights on the Ella Odyssey. Many of Sri Lanka’s most stunning train-related scenes can be seen on this remarkable, extensive route. Undoubtedly, one of the famed sights that you can see is the spectacular Nine Arch Bridge, where the train stops, offering great photo opportunities. Another noteworthy feature is the unusual Demodara Loop, where the railway track spirals back beneath itself. Undoubtedly, the tea plantations that you can observe are amongst the highlights of this railway journey, with innumerable lush tea fields catching the eye of the observer. You will also notice picturesque waterfalls which appear suddenly in proximity to the train, further adding to the appeal of this rail adventure.

Select the best sections / areas

You will find that the Ella Odyssey runs all the way from Colombo to the town of Badulla, with the entire ride taking from 5:30 am to around 4:00 pm. However, this whole journey may feel slightly too extensive for the general sightseer; instead of travelling the whole way on this line, you may take the opportunity to only select the sections or areas that you desire to experience the most. In this regard, a good place at which to board this train is the highland city of Kandy, at around 8:30 am. Meanwhile, the best direction is probably eastbound, in other words, from Colombo to Badulla. The most outstanding section would be from Kandy to Ella, which offers the most striking scenery. Of course, after this unforgettable ride, you can look to stay at an Ella-based luxury resort in Sri Lanka to fully experience the region's stunning natural beauty. An ideal property to consider in this regard is 98 Acres Resort & Spa.

Take note of some tips 

You are likely to find that "second class" on this train is an attractive choice; whilst first class features allocated seats and air conditioning, due to the sealed windows, you will miss out on the interesting sounds, smells and breezes. It is a good idea to take along items like a scarf or light jacket, sunscreen, snacks, a reusable water bottle, a camera (though most smartphones have good cameras these days), a power bank and hand sanitiser; if you have a special playlist for this journey, a pair of headphones.

Try the Pekoe Trail 

Another interesting experience that you can enjoy in conjunction with the train ride described above is walking along the engrossing Pekoe Trail, which is a long-distance hiking route that passes across the same kind of scenery that you would see on the Ella Odyssey; however, on foot, these sights have a different sort of magic. You may take the opportunity to try Route 16, which extends from Ella to Demodara or Route 6, another scenic section in the environs of Hatton.