Sri Lanka · Travel: Tickets & Hotels

Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation

Name: Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation
Brand: Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation

Up to date as of October 22, 2026

The official seat reservation site of Sri Lanka Railways sells reserved seats on intercity and scenic trains, including the hill country line to Kandy, Nanu Oya and Ella.

What it helps with

The Ella trainHill country scenic route.
A guaranteed seatReserved seats online.
Cheap travelLow railway fares.

About Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation:

Reserved seats on the Kandy–Ella route sell out fast in tourist season. Unreserved second and third class tickets are bought at the station on the day.

Key Features:

Reserved seats: Intercity and observation cars.
Scenic routes: Colombo–Kandy–Ella.
Online booking: Official railway site.

How to Get Started:

Search the train and date on seatreservation.railway.gov.lk.
Choose class and seats and pay by card.
Bring the e-ticket and passport to the station.

Before you use it

Limits: Kandy–Ella reserved seats sell out within days of opening in high season.
Good to know: If reserved seats are gone, unreserved tickets can be bought at the station on the day.

Foreign card OK English available

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation work with a foreign bank card in Sri Lanka?: Yes — Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation accepts foreign-issued cards in Sri Lanka.
Is Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation available in English?: Yes, Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation has an English-language interface.
Do I need a local phone number to use Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation?: No, an international phone number generally works for Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation.
Do I need local ID or residency for Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation?: No, Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
Where can I use Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation?: Web
How much does Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation cost?: Low fares by class; reserved seats cost slightly more