Do you remember the scene in the movie Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Harry and Ron decided to take Ron’s dad’s flying car to Hogwarts, and they almost crashed into the Hogwarts Express over a bridge? Doesn’t the sight of Ella Odyssey over the nine-arch bridge bring back childhood memories of when we fell in love with the magic world? Since muggles aren’t allowed on the Hogwarts Express, let’s board the Ella Odyssey. Although your destination won’t be Hogwarts, I can assure you that the journey in Ella Odyssey will be magical.
What is Ella Odyssey?
A unique tourist train called “Ella Odyssey” has been launched by Sri Lankan Railways in response to the popularity of the Ella Train ride among travelers. This train offers more opportunities and comfort to travelers who wish to experience this picturesque route and create unforgettable memories.
Ella Odyssey runs between Colombo fort station and Badulla station 4 times a week.
It starts its journey From Colombo fort every Thursday and Saturday at 0530h and is scheduled to reach Badulla at 1555h.
The reverse journey from Badulla to Colombo fort starts at 0950h From Badulla and ends in Colombo fort at 1920h.
And if you want to know more about the Ella train ride and why it’s so popular you can read my post on the Ella train ride; The most scenic; The most famous.
What makes it different from the normal Train?
What makes Ella Odyssey so tourist-friendly is the fact that it stops in many tourist attractions for a few minutes and allows you to enjoy the breathtaking views and take pictures.
On top of that, there will be an audio guide playing that explains the importance, background, and some trivia of what you’re seeing. How cool is that?
It will stop in some places where the true beauty of it can only be seen via a train ride.
To give you more time to take in the scenery, the train may occasionally go at relatively slow speeds in some more selected areas.
The train is implemented with
- 4 first-class A/C coaches with 360° rotatable seats, individual lights, power outlets, and an entertainment system.
- 3 second-class coaches where you will be able to open windows and immerse in the cool mountain breeze.
- Onboard buffet car
- Dustbins in every coach
- Lavatory in every coach which is implemented with occupancy indicator
Extra stops that Ella odyssey will make
- Horsetail waterfall viewpoint – 2 minutes
- Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) viewpoint – 2 minutes
- St. Clair Waterfall viewpoint – 2 minutes
- Elgin Falls viewpoint – 2 minutes
- Summit level – 2 minutes
- No 18 Tunnel – 3 minutes
- Sulan kapolla view – 3 minutes
- Kithal Ella Waterfall view – 3 minutes
- Nine-Arch Bridge – 10 minutes
How to buy tickets?
Tickets need to be booked 30 days prior to the journey.
Tickets can be booked from 54 stations and by Online methods. You can buy tickets online from this link Here.
If you booked tickets online don’t forget to print your ticket before the day of the journey.
You can print the ticket from a main railway station or a Mobitel arcade. The link to print locations is Here.
Ticket prices
1st Class
Colombo Fort | Kandy | Nanu Oya | Ella | Badulla | |
Colombo Fort | – | LKR 3000 | LKR 4000 | LKR 5000 | LKR 5000 |
Kandy | LKR 3000 | – | LKR 3000 | LKR 4000 | LKR 5000 |
Nanu Oya | LKR 4000 | LKR 3000 | – | LKR 3000 | LKR 4000 |
Ella | LKR 5000 | LKR 4000 | LKR 3000 | – | LKR 2000 |
Badulla | LKR 5000 | LKR 5000 | LKR 4000 | LKR 2000 | – |
2nd Class
Colombo Fort | Kandy | Nanu Oya | Ella | Badulla | |
Colombo Fort | – | LKR 2000 | LKR 3000 | LKR 4000 | LKR 4000 |
Kandy | LKR 2000 | – | LKR 2000 | LKR 3000 | LKR 4000 |
Nanu Oya | LKR 3000 | LKR 2000 | – | LKR 2000 | LKR 3000 |
Ella | LKR 4000 | LKR 3000 | LKR 2000 | – | LKR 2000 |
Badulla | LKR 4000 | LKR 4000 | LKR 3000 | LKR 2000 | – |
3rd Class
Colombo Fort | Kandy | Nanu Oya | Ella | Badulla | |
Colombo Fort | – | LKR 1500 | LKR 2000 | LKR 3000 | LKR 3000 |
Kandy | LKR 1500 | – | LKR 1500 | LKR 2000 | LKR 3000 |
Nanu Oya | LKR 2000 | LKR 1500 | – | LKR 1500 | LKR 2000 |
Ella | LKR 3000 | LKR 2000 | LKR 1500 | – | LKR 1000 |
Badulla | LKR 3000 | LKR 3000 | LKR 2000 | LKR 1000 | – |
Key points
I assure you, This is not the same ordinary Ella Train ride that you have heard of or probably have experienced before where you had to worry about getting a seat or had to risk your life by hanging on the safety bars of the train door while the train was moving, to get a good Instagrammable shot.
Ella odyssey comes with allocated seating so that you won’t have to worry about your seat.
It includes a buffet car on board so you can get food whenever you’re hungry, soothe your thirst, or just relax and watch a 3D nature show out your window while sipping Ceylon tea.
It stops at every breathtaking viewpoint giving you the chance to take that perfect shot.
Not to mention the new and advanced setting of the carriages and friendly crew who are willing to make your journey as comfortable as it gets.
I’m so excited about this recent development in the Sri Lankan tourism industry. I invite all of you who are planning to visit Sri Lanka to hop on to Ella Odyssey and have a Journey of a Lifetime.
Until Next time….
නැවත හමුවෙමු😉 (Newatha hamuwemu = Let’s meet again)
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Never been on this ride, But after reading this article definitely gonna try it!
I’m very happy that you decided to try the Ella Odyssey train. Trust me. It’s going to be magical.
Very Informative, keep it up !!!
Thank you very much!
I was impressed by your views. It was as if I had fallen into a sudden sleep had fallen into a sudden sleep. I reawakened in the Ella Odyssey. You had indeed succeeded in taking me there.
Oh! Thank you very much! I’m very pleased to hear that you enjoyed this article.