Road travel is the most popular option for travelers in Sri Lanka. Traffic drives on the left hand side of the road. Flashing lights mean that the driver is asserting right of way. Even though Sri Lanka is small in size, travelling around the island can be time consuming. Most of the roads are quite narrow and travelling is difficult due to many cyclists, tuktuks and pedestrians. However the long drives around the coastal line and central highlands will not be tiring as you will be amazed by the beautiful sceneries.

Generally Buses, Taxi / Cabs, Tuk Tuks are used by foreigners to commute around the island.

Train travel in Sri Lanka can be an adventurous experience. One fabulous way of exploring the tea country is to jump aboard a train. First-class carriages with air condition and dining facilities are limited. There is an inter-city express service between Colombo and Kandy, otherwise journeys are fairly leisurely.

The railway network in Sri Lanka comprises of nine lines radiating from Colombo, the most beautiful of which runs deep into the hills. There is also a useful train line for tourists travelling along the south coast from Colombo to Matara which stops in Bentota and Galle. There is also a train to Trincomalee, which travels through the Cultural Triangle.

The morning railway journey from Kandy to the highlands at a peak of 1,900 metres (6,200 ft) is one of the greatest railway journeys in the world.Sri Lanka has the highest broad gauge railway in the world and it is the closest to the equator,

The train journey from Kandy to Badulla includes stops at Hatton, which is convenient for climbing Adams Peak; NanuOya - the nearest station to NuwaraEliya; Pattipola Highest Train Station in the Island; Ella which is ideal for hiking and active holidays; Bandarawela the lesser-known old British hill station; and finally Badulla, the sleepy agricultural town.

Trains are normally provided in a three-class layout, offering varying degrees of comfort.

Expo Lanka's ExpoRail and Blue Line Company's Rajadhani Express operate premium service in dedicated carriages on Sri Lanka Railways-operated trains.

Passenger Safety

Travelling on the train is at your own risk. The Sri Lanka Railways carriages do not have sliding doors. Therefore please consider your safety and do not lean out of the train during the course of the journey. You have to be prepared for some jostling on the station platforms.

Sri Lanka Railways

The Sri Lanka Railways, the government railway network, which was first started in 1864 during the colonial period, covers a wide network of routes that spreads across the island. The rail transport in Sri Lanka consists of heavy-rail network connecting major population centers and moves about 300,000 passengers daily on 324 trains between 320 stations.

Following are the seating available:

Hill Country Observatory Carriage:

There is a special first - class observatory carriage on the Colombo to Badulla hill - country train. This is the last carriage on the train which has a full window to maximize the views. Tickets need to be booked at least 14 days in advance. Availability of seats on this carriage can be limited during national holidays.

First & Second Class carriages

The main advantage of travelling in the first class carriage (Not available on the South Coast route), is that you can book in advance and be guaranteed a seat. However, as long as you avoid the peak commuter trains in the morning and evening, second class travel is also enjoyed by many.
Please note that first-class train bookings are extremely difficult to secure during the following holiday periods due to high local traffic:

Sinhala &Tamil New Year 1 April-20 April
Summer School Holidays 1 August-31 August
Christmas Holidays 20 December-5 January

For further information please log in to http://www.railway.gov.lk/web/

Sri Lanka Railway Train Schedule:

Colombo - Kandy - NuwaraEliya - Badulla

Train Name: UdarataMenike

Destination	Departure	Arrival
Colombo to Badulla	05:55 09:45 19:25	16:00 20:00 07:10 (Sleeper Train - Not Recommended)
Badulla to Colombo	05:45 08:50 18:00	15:40 19:30 05:15 (Sleeper Train - Not Recommended)

Colombo-Kandy Intercity Train:

Destination	Departure	Arrival
Colombo to Kandy	07:00 15:35	09:30 18:05
Kandy to Colombo	06:10 15:00	08:40 17:30

For further information please log in to http://www.railway.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127&Itemid=156&lang=en

The Rajadhani Express

The Rajadhani Express is a luxury train carriage that is operated by the Blue Line Company in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Railways. The Rajadhani Express carriages are fully restored colonial period carriages with wood flooring and paneling, usually attached to the regular Sri Lanka Railways trains.

The carriages are air-conditioned with reclining seats, and have adequate windows that allow you to take in the scenery. Other facilities include onboard meals, overhead compartments for luggage, clean and hygiene toilets, Free WiFi, Piped Music, butler Service and etc.

The Rajadhani Express carriages are available on the following Ceylon Railway routes :

Colombo to Kandy	: Dep. 15:35	Arr.18:05
Kandy to Colombo	: Dep. 06:15	Arr. 08:45
Colombo to Matara	: Dep. 06:55	Arr. 11:16
Matara to Colombo	: Dep. 14:05	Arr. 18:10
Colombo to Badulla (Via Kandy)	: Dep. 09:45 Arr. Kandy 12:21	Arr. 19:25
Badulla to Colombo (Via Kandy)	: Dep. 10:00 Arr.Kandy 17:40	Arr. 20:47

For further information please log in to http://www.rajadhani.lk/index.html

Viceroy Special

The Viceroy Special is the only vintage steam train and the only one currently in operation in Sri Lanka. This train offers a more luxury travel experience.

During the Second World War, Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India and Supreme Commander of All Forces in the South East Asian Command (SEAC) used a special train called the SEAC Special to travel to and from his headquarters in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This train was the inspiration for the Viceroy Special.

Complete with period fittings this 75-year-old luxury train has two air-conditioned observation saloons and a restaurant carriage. There is a bar and smoking area, dining and recreation area, plush seating with an observation cabin, on board music and Wi-Fi, and four course menus, The Viceroy offers an experience like no other.

The train is run on a charter basis and runs to any destination in the island. The hill country ride in Sri Lanka, which is considered to be one of the most picturesque train journeys in the world, will be a journey best experienced on the Viceroy Special.

This Train is not a regular so it has to be booked in advance

Air Travel

Getting around Sri Lanka by air has becoming very popular among the tourists and the locals. There are many air travel providers using Sea Planes / Private Jets and Helicopters. Air travel will offer you a breathtaking journey across the island in a very less time.

Air Taxi services are available to most of the popular destinations including the pristine East Coast, the South West coast, the ancient Cultural sites, the beautiful Tea county of Nuwara Eliya, and the country's hill capital Kandy.

Generally return flights are provided from Colombo to Kandy, Bentota, Koggala, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Sigiriya and Dickwella. Further, return flights from Sigiriya to Trincomalee and Batticaloa are also available.

The Air Taxi service is also available as a connecting flight from the international airport to your holiday destination. You can even charter a flight for a group of friends or your family and enjoy a private trip over Paradise Island.