Sri Lanka - In the land of Ceylon tea

Last Updated on 10/05/2026 by Marlene Marques

Any guide to Sri Lanka mentions the fabulous train ride that can be taken in the country’s interior, passing through fields where the famous Ceylon tea is produced.

However, on my last trip to that country, I rented a car and after much consideration on how I could make the train trip (which would mean having to return to the starting point to get the car back), we decided to take the same route but by road.

The truth is that the train allows you to have a different view of the region, but everyone with whom we spoke told us of less than pleasant experiences. Some had to seat at the door, because it was the only vacant place where they could appreciate the landscape, or take the trip (more than two hours) on foot, or even travel in the bathroom because it was the only free window.

Not wanting to risk it, we set off by car, from Kandy to Ella, passing through Nuwara Eliya, and indeed the route is magnificent! We passed by the fields of several producers, with an advantage that we can’t get by train: we stopped on our way and even felt what it was like to walk on those fields.