One of the most scenic train rides in the world: The Ella Odyssey Train ride in Sri Lanka

As a Sri Lankan, I only have a little time for long travel due to my workload and job. But every Sri Lankan should have to find time to go to Badulla via train. I mean it because it is a lifetime memorable experience.

Magnificent beaches, lots of historic places, and beautiful nature scenes with wild animals are the reasons why Sri Lanka is popular among foreigners. Traveling by train is the best way to go everywhere on this island. This unique train called the Ella Odyssey Train runs from Colombo to Badulla through Kandy, Nanuoya, and Ella. Between Polgahawela and Badulla, there are many picturesque photo spots where the Ella Odyssey Train is going. This train journey’s main purpose is to promote tourism along with giving transportation to local passengers. This amazing train journey is already recorded as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world by many travel reports. During the journey, you can see massive tea plantations with many mountain ranges in central Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan rail network is kind of old-school, not so very developed to the current world, but to this train ride, it’s not a big deal.

I had this train experience way back in 2013, and the trip was a lifetime-memorable one. So I should try to go again very soon. Most train passengers, especially travelers, love to hang out in the open doorways because they can enjoy the beauty of Sri Lankan hill country. The most popular ‘Nine Arch Bridge’ is getting passed through the journey. Sometimes you may feel some Scottish vibe, and the train journey will remind you of ‘Hogwarts Express’.

If you choose to travel by train from Colombo to Badulla or vice versa, make sure to book a daytime one because you will miss the magnificent views of the Sri Lankan hills if you book a night train. Beautiful green hills with tea plantations, mountains, wonderful historic bridges, little settlements, and waterfalls will all be visible throughout the journey. The scenery is breathtaking; I can guarantee that.

This amazing train ride should be on everyone’s bucket list; the pictures of the train journey prove it. (All the photos were taken by me.)