Taking the train in Sri Lanka is by far the best way to discover this pearl of the Indian Ocean. With its breathtaking landscapes dancing to the rhythm of the hum of its locomotives, passengers can take the wonderful greenery before them. The show continues inside the carriages where you are immersed in the local culture and in contact with a generous people, contributing to the magic of the trip. A rewarding adventure in every respect. An overview of the delights served up by this authentic means of transport, through the most beautiful journeys across the Sri Lankan railways.

Travel by train is a national custom 

Climbing aboard a train is an activity not to be missed on Ceylon Island. The omnibus is one of the cheapest forms of transport on the island and is therefore the preferred method of travel for Sri Lankans. Simple and well served, the railway network crosses the country and is mainly concentrated on four main lines: the Northern line which connects Colombo to Jaffna via the country's holy city: Anuradhapura; the route to the south of the island; the road to the beaches of Batticaloa in the east of the country; and finally, the central line that undulates between the rice fields.

There are several classes for travel. The first category is divided into sub-classes, including the standard car, the sleeper train and the panoramic rooms, which are very popular for viewing the countryside through the large windows. The first option is more comfortable and is mainly used by tourists.

A little further on, we find the local broth with the 2nd and 3rd classes which tend to be more heavily used by the Sri Lankans. It is up to the passengers to make a choice according to what they are looking for in their journey. The rails are without doubt the best way to fully immerse yourself in the local area, as they reveal exceptional landscapes and as the journeys can be quite long, it's an opportunity to take some nice photos!

Tickets can be booked directly in stations where the ticket agents await budding explorers. There is a nostalgic atmosphere of the old days in the stations. During busy periods, the lines can be very busy. You have to be ready when the train arrives because the locals are very nimble and jump into the train whilst still moving to get ahead and find the best places to sit! And it is also part of the folklore. 

Ceylon landscapes beating to the sound of the past

Several routes offer breathtaking views. The journey between the capital, Colombo, and the sacred star, Kandy, plunges visitors into the picturesque landscapes of the region with a succession of coconut groves, rice fields and sumptuous ponds lined with lotuses... A poetic interlude lulled by the slow rhythm of the journeys of yesteryear.

To experience the most beautiful journeys on the island of Ceylon, we recommend taking the first trip from the capital to Kandy and then taking the rails from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo, to finish the trip in style! Between its emerald lands and its slices of rural life, these are the routes we preferred.

If by chance you manage to stumble across some space in the middle of the open doors, take a seat... and enjoy the marvel of the panorama as it passes before you! It is a real life-size show, with an omnipresent shade of green as the main theme (be sure to sit up straight!). A total immersion in the Sri Lankan vegetation in the middle of mountains, jungle and tea plantations. At the bend in a hill, we meet the intrigued gaze of a tea picker who greets us for a short break. 

The pearl of the Indian Ocean, a land of exchange 

On board the tortilla boats, we meet the 2nd and 3rd classes made up of whole families, who travel to the other end of the country to visit their relatives, workers, who travel long distances every day, or pilgrims on their way to a religious festival. A hustle and bustle mixing the different Sinhalese and Tamil populations with the few tourists who have come to soak up this cultural wealth. Amongst this hive of activity, you may be lucky enough to come across a guitarist who plays a little guitar during the journey, much to the delight of the passengers!

Be sure not to miss out on an encounter with this welcoming and caring population. The Sri Lankan people are curious and rather talkative, and never miss a change to talk with others. And what better way to keep yourself busy during a trip on the rails than to take up this social custom. Sri Lankans are very sociable, however, it is rare to come across someone who speaks French. On the other hand, many inhabitants speak English very well. An opportunity to revise your vocabulary before leaving on a trip to the island! For foreign language enthusiasts, it is always useful to learn a few words of Sinhala, the dialect spoken in Sri Lanka. 

In the midst of this busy folklore, street vendors meander among the travellers offering various Indian street food dishes. The crossing can be very long, so to keep you busy, the Sri Lankans have planned everything from lunch breaks to chatting with your neighbours and even meditation. Some people take to the streets with their arms bursting with the latest precious (and sometimes bulky) item which will certainly find its new place in the home. This back and forth offers an unprecedented image of the country, natural, true and sincere.