Sri Lanka boasts two world-renowned scenic railway routes.
RaviOne is the ‘Tea Train’ (primarily between Kandy and Ella) which traverses the highland region where tea plantations stretch out.
EmmaAnd the other is the ‘Coastal Train’ (Colombo–Galle–Matara section) which travels south along the Indian Ocean coast.
This time, we focus on the latter route—the coastal train journey from Colombo to Galle, popular with travellers from Europe and America—highlighting its appeal and a smooth method for booking tickets.
The Charm of the Coastal Train Overlooking the Indian Ocean
The coastal train between Colombo and Galle is renowned for its spectacular scenery, often hailed as one of Asia’s most scenic railway routes.
As soon as the train leaves the city, it runs along the coast, and in some places the waves of the Indian Ocean seem close enough to reach out and touch from the carriage window.
The experience of running while gazing at the blue sea stretching out before you, the golden beach, and the white waves lapping ashore is truly exceptional; you might even feel as though you’re running right on the beach itself.
RaviPalm trees bathed in tropical sunlight and fishing village scenes appear one after another, with photogenic landscapes continuing uninterrupted.
EmmaWhat makes this train journey particularly appealing is not only the scenery but also the opportunity to soak up the local atmosphere.
In second-class and third-class carriages, windows and doors are left open to let the breeze through, and you can see vendors selling fruit and fried snacks inside. At stations, the platforms bustle with passengers boarding and alighting; at some stations, you can step straight onto the beach from the platform.
The true charm of the coastal train lies in savouring the journey itself – an experience that transcends mere transportation – through interactions with local passengers and sampling snacks from the on-board service.
Indeed, the train between Colombo and Galle is used by many locals for commuting to work or school, and experiencing the lively atmosphere of this local train offers a glimpse into Sri Lankan society.
Some travellers have remarked that “through train journeys, we were able to experience the daily lives of Sri Lankan people,” and the warm interactions with locals will undoubtedly enrich your travel memories.
EmmaOf course, securing a seat is also important for comfortably enjoying the scenery.
RaviIf you are travelling for sightseeing, we recommend booking a reserved seat in second or first class.
First-class carriages are air-conditioned and offer a quiet, relaxing environment, but their windows do not open, making them unsuitable for photography. Second-class carriages, on the other hand, operate on a reservation system and are less crowded. With only fans provided, their windows and doors can be left wide open, allowing passengers to feel the breeze while enjoying the spacious views from the carriage windows.
On some trains, a first-class observation car may be attached. In any case, as this is a popular route, seats fill up quickly, so it is advisable to book in advance as described in the next chapter.
How to Book Train Tickets Online (Using 12Go.Asia)
Tickets for Sri Lanka’s State Railway are generally purchased at station ticket offices, with online booking via the official website scarcely available to the general public.
Popular reserved seats also go on sale approximately 30 days before the travel date, but securing them locally can prove difficult depending on your itinerary. This is where the convenient overseas advance booking service, 12Go Asia, comes in handy.
Ticket booking procedure on 12Go Asia:
First, access the 12Go Asia official website, specify ‘Colombo Fort’ as the departure point and ‘Galle’ as the destination, then select your date. Upon executing the search, a list of trains for that day and their seat availability will be displayed.
Select your desired train from the displayed options. The journey takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, with over 10 services operating daily from the 6 o’clock hour in the morning until the evening. Choose your seat class: either First Class or Second Class, both of which can be reserved in advance (Third Class tickets are generally only available for purchase locally).
Upon confirming your selection, you will proceed to the passenger information input page. Enter your full name as it appears on your passport and your contact email address, then complete the online payment using your credit card. The total payment amount, including the booking fee, will be displayed for your confirmation. Please verify this and complete the procedure.
Once payment is complete and your booking is confirmed, a boarding voucher will be issued. The voucher will be sent as a PDF to your registered email address; please save it to your smartphone or print it out.
When booking via 12Go, the voucher itself is not the ticket; it is an exchange voucher for the original official Sri Lanka Railways ticket. There are two collection methods, and you can select your preferred option during the booking process.
One method is to collect it by presenting your passport and voucher at the designated office in Colombo city (Stef Lanka Ltd, Rajagiriya district). The other method is to request delivery to your hotel accommodation for an additional fee of $8.
If your itinerary allows, collecting tickets locally is acceptable. However, for short trips with limited time, or if you are travelling directly to Galle without stopping in Colombo, hotel delivery is the most reliable option. Note that some trains issue e-tickets instantly; in such cases, you need only present the seat number received by email at the station counter to collect your ticket.
EmmaAs described above, by using 12Go Asia, you can complete your Colombo to Galle train reservation in advance whilst still overseas.
By avoiding lengthy queues at official counters and the worry of tickets selling out, you can make the most of your precious travel time. While a small fee applies, considering it as peace of mind to secure your seat and enjoy the journey on a scenic train, it is certainly not expensive.
After arriving in Galle, enjoy a private charter for a flexible journey
After arriving safely in Galle, enjoy exploring the beautiful fortified city of Galle on foot, or plan to venture further afield to explore the southern region.
The railway extends beyond Galle to Matara, but there are no lines to the national parks or mountainous regions where safaris can be undertaken.
EmmaThat’s why we recommend travelling by private charter.
RaviBy chartering a private hire vehicle with a driver, you can efficiently visit places that are difficult to reach by train or bus.
For instance, why not head inland from the Galle area and experience wildlife safaris in Udawarawa National Park or Yala National Park? Udawarawa is renowned for its large herds of wild elephants, and with a bit of luck, you might encounter a herd numbering several dozen.
Yala National Park is renowned as a habitat for the rare Sri Lankan leopard and offers one of the world’s highest chances of observing wild leopards.
Returning once more towards the coast, whale watching in Millissa is also not to be missed.
From November to around April, the world’s largest mammal, the blue whale, migrates to the Indian Ocean off Millissa, and boat tours offer a high probability of witnessing its majestic form.
EmmaYou could also drive further east to the highland resort of Ella, then board the mountain railway again to head north towards Nuwara Eliya and Kandy.
With a private charter, you can tailor your itinerary freely, allowing you to enjoy the southern and highland areas exactly as you wish.
RaviLankaMe is particularly well-regarded as a reliable private charter company in Sri Lanka.
LankaMe is a government-approved local taxi charter service in Sri Lanka, offering travellers exclusive hire of vehicles and drivers for a wide range of services from airport transfers to sightseeing tours.
Emmawhen booking, discuss your itinerary to receive a bespoke route tailored to your preferences.
RaviA dedicated driver will accompany you from start to finish, safely guiding you to each destination.
Pricing is a fixed rate quoted upfront, with no additional charges or hidden costs, ensuring transparent billing with no risk of being overcharged.
Particularly welcome for travellers from Europe and America is the fact that all drivers can communicate in English, eliminating any language concerns. Vehicles are provided to suit group size, ranging from air-conditioned saloons and estate cars, allowing comfortable travel with luggage.
Not only can you use it for day trips or overnight tours from Galle to various destinations, but you can also travel throughout your entire trip in a dedicated vehicle. This makes it ideal for those wishing to use their time efficiently or for group travel.
While travelling independently in Sri Lanka for the first time may bring some anxiety about getting around, skilfully combining train travel with a reliable chartered service should ensure a safe, efficient and memorable journey.
Enjoy breathtaking views and authentic local experiences aboard the coastal train between Colombo and Galle, then extend your adventure freely with a private charter. Sri Lanka’s magnificent nature and culture await you. We hope this serves as a useful reference for planning your journey. Have a wonderful trip to Sri Lanka!
コメント