The latest tourist-oriented Intercity Express (ICE) train ‘Ella Odyssey’ (Train No.1041/1042) will re-operate from Colombo Fort and Badulla every weekend from Saturday 13.
It will be running to Badulla on Saturdays and returning to Colombo Fort on Sundays. Earlier, this train operated from Kandy to Ella on a one-day return trip.
The main line from Colombo Fort to Badulla is the most scenic train route in Sri Lanka which runs through the upcountry.
It has a great local and foreign tourist attraction throughout the year. The Railways Department has taken the decision to re-operate this train on the instructions of Transport and Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane.
Under the new schedule, the train will leave Colombo Fort at 5.30 a.m. and reach Badulla via Kandy at 3.55 p.m. on Saturday. It will leave Badulla at 9.50 a.m. and reach Colombo Fort via Kandy at 7.20 p.m on Sunday.
During its journey to and from Badulla, the train will stop at several selected tourist attractions allowing passengers to alight for snaps at these stops.
The train will stop only at Gampaha, Veyangoda, Polgahawela, Rambukkana, Peradeniya, Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Nanu-Oya, Haputale, Diyatalawa, Bandarawela and Ella railway stations.
A first-class reserved ticket between Colombo Fort and Badulla on this special train is Rs.5,000, a second-class reserved ticket is Rs.4,000 and a third-class reserved ticket is Rs.3,000.
