Train Ticket Booking in Sri Lanka: The Ultimate Guide by BH Lanka Tours
An island country with immense natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Sri Lanka offers one an unforgettable travel experience, especially if explored by train. Its scenic routes of the trains stand out with landscapes that span from emerald-green tea plantations to breathtakingly beautiful coastal vistas. Knowing how to book your train ticket is quite essential on the way to an exciting and fun journey in Sri Lanka. BH Lanka Tours is here to help you with the process and make it hassle-free.
Why Travel by Train in Sri Lanka?
Train travel in Sri Lanka is not just for getting from one place to another; it is an adventure in itself. Makes the following reasons enough to convince you to take the train:
- Scenic Views: The train routes in Sri Lanka provide breathtaking views, especially from Kandy to Ella. There are rolling hills, thick forests, waterfalls, and small village views.
- Cultural Experience: In trains all through to the various railways of Sri Lanka, it is a blend of either natives or tourists. There are ways in which to talk to amicable Sri Lankans and get to learn so much about their culture.
- Comfort and Convenience: In the essence of comfort, leisureliness, and covering quite a long distance, trains are a go-to. The comforting rhythm of the train entity while feeling the cool breeze entering through the opened windows is bound to be so much relieving.
- Affordability: It is among the less costly ways to see Sri Lankathereby being attainable for those on a budget.
Types of Services
Sri Lanka Railways, the Government-owned railway company, has a plethora of types of trains with different services to cater to the needs and pockets of the traveller. These include:
Intercity Express Trains: These are the fastest and most comfortable with reserved seats and air-conditioned compartments for added comfort.
Observation Saloon: Put in the more picturesque regions, the compartments have large windows for a clear view of the landscape.
Express Trains: Though below the intercity trains in terms of speed, the travel is rather efficient. The trains provide for reservation as well as unreserved seating.
Local Trains: Halting at each and every station, the local trains are the slowest of all. They are also the most inexpensive and, in many cases, the most crowded.
How to Book Train Tickets
To book train tickets in Sri Lanka, follow the below-mentioned process:
1. Online Bookings
In the recent past, an online booking system was initiated by Sri Lanka Railways to allow passengers to make advance reservations for their tickets. Here’s how to do it through the following steps:
Visit the Official Website here: Log on to the website of the Sri Lanka Railways official booking site.
Select Your Route: Indicate your leaving and arriving stations followed by the date of journey.
Select Your Train: Indicate the train type, category or level of service desired.
Make a Payment: Pay with your credit or debit card online to finalize your reservation.
Receive Your E-Ticket: An email will be sent to you with your e-ticket, which you can print out or simply present on your mobile device upon boarding.
2. How to Book via the Services of Travel Agencies
It will then be possible to book train tickets with the help of travel agencies, like BH Lanka Tours, as part of your journey package. This would also be very convenient for you as a person if you find the procedures for booking tickets quite tedious yet you would want to avail of the best seat available in the train.
3. At the Train Station
Major train stations across Sri Lanka also allow in-person booking. Here is the best way to go about booking at the station:
Book Early: Popular routes and trains tend to fill up fast, especially around the high travel seasons.
Bring Identification: When purchasing tickets at the station, one may be required to show identification.
Cash Payments: While some of the stations allow a card payment, it is advisable to carry cash along.
Popular Train Routes
Below are some of the most popular train routes in Sri Lanka which you should not miss during your tour to the island:
1. Colombo to Kandy
This route takes you from the hustle and bustle of the capital city to the cultural heart of Sri Lanka. It is a view of beautiful countryside with paddy fields and rivers amidst enclosing mountains.
2. Kandy to Ella
Probably one of the most visually picturesque train journeys through Sri Lanka, this trip takes you by vast green tea plantations, dense forests, and misty hills. Do not miss the opportunity to grab a seat in the observation saloon.
3. Colombo to Galle
The coastal route on the southern coast itself, beautiful sights of the Indian Ocean. It’s a great way to reach the historic city of Galle while enjoying the sea breeze.
4. Colombo to Jaffna
This route is heading up to the north of the island. You will go through a variety of landscapes and a feel for other, probably less touristy, parts of Sri Lanka.
Tips for a Smooth Train Journey
Here are a few handy tips that would allow you to enjoy your train travel through Sri Lanka:
Book in Advance: Because they are pretty popular, most main routes go out of availability pretty quickly, usually weeks ahead of the departure date.
Pack Snacks and Water: Excluding a few, trains do offer food. Hence, avoid carrying too many snacks or water, as there are a lot of stops for you to stock up.
Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable clothes in the thick of winter, ensure that you also pack a light jacket for a good measure.
Arrive Early: You will always find plenty of time to spend on finding your platform and settle down.
Wear Respectful Clothes: There are some aspects of community respect and traditions that you might want to put into consideration. This includes giving older passengers the first priority to a seat.
Conclusion
Traveling with the Sri Lanka trains is almost an experience by itself. From awe-inspiring views to the act of cultural exposure, it is, itself, a different method to experience this beautiful land. BH Lanka Tours is here to guide you in booking train tickets en route and to make the journey with a difference. Whether your travel preference goes to a budget or luxury trip, we can customize your tour upon request. So get yourself comfortable, relax, and enjoy the ride as you rediscover Sri Lanka by train.
Start your holiday of Sri Lanka with BH Lanka Tours and experience firsthand what makes train travel in this sultry island nation so special.
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