Nanu Oya to Ella Train

Status: Running (checked 19 October 2026). Source: Sri Lanka Railways notice, 18 June 2026; no later suspension notice on the railway media notices page on 19 October 2026.

Is the Nanu Oya to Ella train running? (Checked 19 October 2026)

Yes. Sri Lanka Railways resumed trains between Badulla and Nanu Oya from 20 June 2026, after repairing the Ambewela–Nanu Oya section damaged by Cyclone Ditwah (Sri Lanka Railways notice, 18 June 2026). News reports on 2 October 2026 still listed Nanu Oya–Badulla as operating (Colombo Times). On 19 October 2026 the railway's media notices page still showed no newer notice changing this section. The 25 October reports of the Rambukkana to Gampola suspension (see the update at the top of this page) do not mention the Nanu Oya to Ella section, and we have not rechecked it since 19 October 2026.

The published timetable has three trains a day towards Ella: 9.00 am daily, 2.30 pm except Wednesdays, and the Ella Odyssey at 1.00 pm on Wednesdays only. Times change, so confirm at the station or on the Sri Lanka Railways 1971 line before you travel.

As of 19 October 2026 the line west of Nanu Oya was still closed, so no train ran from Kandy. To start from Kandy, see Kandy to Ella by road.

Check landslide warnings the night before. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) posts landslide early warnings on its official site. On 19 October 2026 the latest warning, issued at 6 pm on 18 October and valid until 6 pm on 19 October, listed divisions in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts, which this line runs through, including Haputale in Badulla District (landslide early warning, 18 October 2026).

What is the Nanu Oya to Ella train timetable?

These are the times in Sri Lanka Railways' notice of 18 June 2026, in force from 20 June 2026. It is the latest official timetable for this section we could find on 19 October 2026. When we retried the official online schedule search that day, the service said it was temporarily offline for system maintenance. Some third-party sites show different times, so treat this as a guide and confirm on the day.

Nanu Oya → Ella → Badulla

Badulla → Ella → Nanu Oya

Source: Sri Lanka Railways, 18 June 2026. Times change. Confirm at the station or on 1971.

How do you book Nanu Oya to Ella train tickets?

The notice says every train in the table has first-class (air-conditioned) and second-class reserved seats. You can book them on the official reservation site or at a station with reservation facilities.

From the official reservation FAQ:

• Online bookings open 30 days before travel and close two hours before departure.
• You need an account on the reservation site.
• Seats are allocated automatically. You cannot choose a seat or a side of the train online.
• The e-ticket, printed or on a phone, is your travel document.

The notice also says reserved tickets already issued with Ambewela as the start or end station can be used to start or finish the journey at Nanu Oya.

How much is the Nanu Oya to Ella train ticket?

We do not give a fare on this page. On 19 October 2026 the official online schedule service, which used to show ticket prices for a searched journey, was offline for maintenance (its old search address no longer worked), and we found no current official fare table for this section. Check the price for your date and class on the official reservation site before you pay.

Is there a train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?

Not from Nuwara Eliya itself. Nanu Oya is the station for Nuwara Eliya, so book Nanu Oya to Ella and arrange road transport between your accommodation and the station. Allow time for it before a morning departure.

Can you get to Nanu Oya by train from Kandy or Colombo?

No. As of 19 October 2026 trains from Colombo reached Peradeniya and Gampola, but trains between Peradeniya and Kandy were suspended and the Gampola–Nawalapitiya and Hatton–Nanu Oya sections were still being repaired (Nawalapitiya–Hatton was operating). From midnight at the end of 25 October 2026, all trains between Rambukkana, Peradeniya and Gampola are suspended until further notice, after a landslide near Kadigamuwa, with no restart date. So there is currently no train from Colombo to Peradeniya or Gampola either. The Kandy to Ella train guide keeps the section-by-section status, and Kandy to Ella by road covers the road options to Nanu Oya.

Where does the Nine Arch Bridge fit?

The Nine Arch Bridge near Ella is on this line. A timetable does not tell you the exact minute a train will cross, and trains run late. If you visit the bridge to watch a train, follow rail-safety instructions and do not stand on the track. For more hill-country rail trips, see scenic rail journeys.