Important Update: Kandy – Ella Train & Ella Odyssey Service (January 2026)

Due to severe damage caused by the recent Ditwah Cyclone, several sections of the Kandy – Ella railway line have been affected. As a result, Ella Odyssey and all main line train services operating via Kandy and Ella are currently suspended until further notice.
Railway authorities have confirmed that repair and reconstruction work is ongoing; however, full restoration of services will take several months.

 

Current Train Operations (Temporary Arrangement)

At present, only two daily train services are operating between Ambewela and Badulla via Ella.
Important:
Ambewela Railway Station is located three stations beyond Nanu Oya towards Ella. This means the iconic scenic train journey has been shortened.

Previous journey: Nanu Oya → Ella – approx. 3 hours
Current journey: Ambewela → Ella – approx. 2.5 hours

The same blue-coloured train coaches are in operation on this reduced route.

 

Latest Train Schedule – Ambewela ⇄ Ella
(Updated January 2026 – subject to change)

 

Ambewela ➝ Ella
•    09:30 AM – arrives Ella at 11:25 AM (Daily)
•    03:00 PM – arrives Ella at 04:55 PM (Daily)

 

Ella ➝ Ambewela
•    09:50 AM – arrives Ambewela at 11:55 AM (Daily)
•    03:50 PM – arrives Ambewela at 06:00 PM (Daily)

 

Classes & Reservations
Available classes:
✔ 1st Class Reserved
✔ 2nd Class Reserved
✔ 3rd Class Reserved

 

Official online seat reservation portal:
https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
 

Traveller Advisory
•    Kandy to Ella rail construction and repairs are still in progress.
•    Until the full line is restored, train services will operate only between Ambewela and Ella / Badulla.
•    Schedules may change at short notice depending on weather conditions and repair progress.
We strongly advise travellers to reconfirm train timings 24–48 hours before travel or consult your travel agency in Sri Lanka 
 

What is Ella Odyssey Train?

Ella Odyssey Train is a special Train operated from Colombo to Badulla VIA Kandy – Nanu Oya – Ella ended up in Badulla. This Ella Odyssey Train stops at scenic / important photo locations which are located between Kandy and Badulla. Purpose of this Ella Odyssey Train is to help Sri Lanka Tourism by providing a joyful / thrilled train journey for local and overseas travelers. 
Kandy to Ella Train journey is one of the most scenic train journeys in South Asia travelling through lush green tea estates / waterfalls / many tunnels which gives you a beautiful / joyful memory. 

 

Ella Odyssey Train Schedule

From Colombo to Badulla 

• Every Thursday Colombo Fort to Badulla train (Train Number 1041) leaves at 5.30 AM from Colombo Fort railway station and reach Badulla 3.53 PM on same day. 
• Every Saturday Colombo Fort to Badulla train (Train Number 1041) leaves at 5.30 AM from Colombo Fort railway station and reach Badulla 3.53 PM on same day. 

From Badulla to Colombo 

• Every Friday Badulla to Colombo Fort train (Train Number 1042) leaves at 9.15 AM from Badulla reach Colombo 7.20 PM on same day
• Every Sunday Badulla to Colombo Fort train (Train Number 1042) leaves at 9.15 AM from Badulla reach Colombo 7.20 PM on same day. 

How many days prior I can reserve my ticket?

Sri Lanka Railway Department start seat reservation exactly 30 days prior to your travel date not only for Ella Odyssey but all other express trains in Sri Lanka. Example - if you need to travel 14 June, you can reserve your ticket 13 May 10 AM onwards until your travel date.  But make sure to reserve seats like Ella Odyssey train well in advance due to high demand.  
Special Note – This  30 day period might change without prior notice. If you are a tourists, better you check with your travel agency in Sri Lanka.    

Ella Odyssey Train Ticket Prices 

• First Class Air Condition – 5,000 Rupees Per Person (One way)
• Second Class – 4,000 Rupees Per Person (One way)
• Third Class 3,000 Rupees Per Person (One way)

How to book Ella Odyssey Train 

There are 3 ways to book your Ella Odyssey Train as below 

• Directly from following railway stations 30 days prior to travel date from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM From main railway stations such as Colombo Fort / Maradana / Gampaha / Veyangoda / Kandy / Nwala Pitiya / Ella / Nanu Oya / Hatton / Diyathalawa etc 
• Mobitel M Ticketing Service 30 days prior to travel date (This is 24 Hrs service). You can book Ella Odyssey train from your mobile phone (Only Mobitel Lines) by dialing 365 hotline. Make sure you have sufficient credits in your Mobile phone account to pay the ticket price. 
• Ella Odyssey Train Ticket online booking – This facility also available and you can book your odyssey train by accessing Sri Lanka Railway Department website through https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/ 
• For tourists - Book Ella Odyssey train through your travel agent in Sri Lanka. But if you are already start your holiday in Sri Lanka, you may use one of above 3 options. 

Please do not call to Ceylon Expeditions Travels for Ella Train Booking and contact your nearest main railway station 

ඇල්ල දුම්රිය වෙන්කරවා ගැනීම සඳහා කරුණාකර Ceylon Expeditions Travels වෙත කතා නොකර ඔබේ ළඟම ඇති ප්‍රධාන දුම්රිය ස්ථානය අමතන්න.

 

Ella Odyssey Train will stop at below Photo locations  

• Horsetail Waterfall view point - (2 minutes)
• Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) view point - (2 minutes)
• St Clair Waterfall view point - (2 minutes)
• Elgin Falls view point - (2 minutes)
• Summit Level - (2 minutes)
• No 18 Tunnel - (3 minutes)
• Kithal Ella Waterfall view point - (3 minutes)
• Nine Arches Bridge - (10 minutes)

Ella Odyssey Train Schedule Colombo – Badulla Every Saturday

• Colombo Fort – 5.30 AM
• Gampaha 6.00 AM 
• Veyangoda 6.11 AM 
• Polgahawela 6.45 AM 
• Rambukkana 6.56 AM 
• Peradeniya 8.04 AM 
• Kandy 8.13 AM 
• Leaving from Kandy 8.25 AM
• Peradeniya 8.33 AM 
• Nawalapitiya 9.18 AM 
• Hatton 10.35 AM 
• Great Western 11.40 AM 
• Nanu Oya 12.02 PM 
• Ohiya 1.02 PM
• Idalgashinna 1.25 PM 
• Haputhale 1.52 PM 
• Diyathalawa 2.04 PM
• Bandarawela 2.17 PM
• Ella 2.47 PM 
• Demodara 3.15 PM 
• Hali Ela 3.39 PM 
• Badulla 3.53 PM 

 

Ella Odyssey Train Schedule Badulla - Colombo Every Sunday 

• Badulla 9.15 AM 
• Ella 10.00 AM 
• Colombo Fort 7.20 PM  

Ella Odyssey Train FAQ for Tourists 

• Can I book Ella Odyssey train online – Yes this facility is available via https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
• How many days prior we need my Ella Odyssey train ticket – You can reserve your ticket 14 days prior to travel date (Special Note – This 14 day might change soon once fuel crisis is over in Sri Lanka) Generally it is 30 days prior to travel) 
• Can I book Ella Odyssey through a travel agent in Sri Lanka? Yes that is the most recommended way to reserve your Ella Odyssey ticket by contacting your travel agency in Sri Lanka. 
• Is there restaurant car available on this Ella Odyssey train? Yes, restaurant car is available, and you may have some short eats / tea / coffee etc 
• Can I book a window seat in Ella Odyssey train – Yes possible but subject to availability. Better you book your tickets 14 days exactly prior to travel will help you to get a window seat. 

Ella train journey is one of most scenic and beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka climbing through lush green tea estates / waterfalls / tunnels which create super adventurous feeling. Recommended activity during your family adventure holidays in Sri Lanka. This is also highly demanding train journey among tourist on their holiday in Sri Lanka. 
Note – This update as of 14 Januray 2023 and you need to contact your tour operator in Sri Lanka for latest update on schedule / ticket price / booking terms of Ella Odyssey train whenever you plan your vacation in Sri Lanka since things might change frequently due to demand and the country situation.