Book in advance?

If you are looking for budget accormodations, you can find one after coming to Sri Lanka also. It might sometimes be difficult according to the places you are visiting. But I think you can survive it.

But when it comes to train you I highly recommend you book in advance to avoid dissapointments. Because each and every reservation seat will be booked very early since this is the season. Almost every tourists tend to book seats on Ella train in advance. And to catch a ramaining seat you will have to give a big fight.:D

There are buses also, but it is a very bad idea. There are very less to see in bus ride compared to train.

Thanks :-) Is it just the Kandy-Ella train ride I should book in advance or do I need to book the train tickets for my entire trip? Or can I on the rest of the trip book the day before?

yeah do it in advance.. don't try to draw your luck once you here.. online booking are always safe.. try www.airbnb.com cheap places also booking.com and agoda also.

yes train to Ella is a must and better if you can book in advance to avoid any disappointment. you can book it from https://www.visitsrilankatours.co.uk/train-tickets-1.html ..hope it helps

Raja

If you are a solo budget backpacker I wouldn't book any accommodation in advance, apart from possibly your first night. You will meet people as you go; may decide to change your plans; stay longer if enjoying yourself; etc. Booking up everything severely restricts your flexibility.

I am a cyclist and was there end of Jan and Feb last year and had no problem getting single room accom. If you stay in dorms, it will be even easier.

As I said maybe worth booking first night in Negombo which is a short ride from the airport. This takes away initial anxiety and lets you suss out the place.

Likewise transport. Apart from the 'must see' train ride you can get tickets on the day for most trips. Public transport is cheap and plentiful. You may sometime find yourself standing or sharing a seat of sitting on the floor, but hey you are a backpacker, that's what its all about.

You will be fine only booking Kandy - Ella train. That is the hardest one to catch a seat. Others you can buy after coming here.

Hey guys!

My boyfriend and I arrive to Sri Lanka on 26 January and are interested in this very train trip. We'd likely take it around 14 February. When would be the latest to book a seat?

In the case of missing a reserved seat ticket, are there spaces to stand/try and hustle for a space in the carriage? (Obviously this wouldn't be QUITE as enjoyable :-P) We're backpackers and have been in India past three months so are somewhat used to this experience.

Thank you :-)

Hi there!

My boyfriend and I are arriving on 26 Jan (just after you!) and are there for about nine weeks. We haven't planned any accommodation if that's any consolation. We've been travelling India since October and haven't booked many places in advance (only when we were arriving late at night etc.). So far, we haven't run into too much trouble.

I know India is a completely different country, but that style of travelling – rocking up, more or less – has worked for us.

Also, when you book on booking.com and airbnb.com, for instance, you're unable to negotiate prices and the accommodation has to pay a surcharge to the website. Arranging in person (explained below) cuts out the middle man and leaves more money in the owners'/family's pockets.

What we do is we look on those sites for the accommodation we like, without booking it, arrive to the establishment to check it out properly (some look SO different from the pictures haha) and then haggle a little. If you're staying longer, you'll often be offered a better price.

Hope this helps :-)

you can book train tickets 30 days prior to the travelling date.. those seats are selling quickly. so keep alert on it. you can book tickets from https://www.visitsrilankatours.co.uk/train-tickets-1.html .

Yeah you ca.. there are carriages for reserved seat and more carriages for unreserved ticvket. In case you lost your ticket go to the station ticket counter and take a ticket and jump to the train. seats will offer first come first serve basis. 50% chance to have a seat and 20-30% in a weekend or evening trains. So just be careful not to lose your ticket :) :) :)

Hi rajamax! Thanks so much for the info! I really appreciate it, as well as the author of this forum. Good to know we can book 30 days in advance! I'll look into buying tickets this week. Have a good day!