Train Travel, Sri Lanka

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One of the most pleasant ways of traveling around Sri Lanka is by train.  Sri Lanka is a small country so you don’t have to worry about overnight sleepers as in India and booking the train is a dream.  Just show up at the station a few minutes before your departure, buy a second class ticket and  you are off!

The trains move slowly in Sri Lanka and you will be happy to enjoy the scenery of life as you pass. Especially in the mountains and high country near Ella, Nuwara Eliya and Hatton.  It chugs slowly along through Tea Plantations, dense forest and spectacular mountain Vistas.

Best Views

It is important to know where to sit on the train.  They fill up quickly and if you are on the wrong side, you may be stuck looking at a wall of high cliffs rather than deep valleys and blue skies..  Talk to other travelers that have just arrived by train and find out what side of the train to sit on for the best view.

The train is always packed in all of Sri Lanka and if you aren’t quick to find a seat, you may be stuck in standing room only.  People hang out the door and windows and at times I am amazed that more people haven’t fallen out or had their heads taken off by a rock or tree branch.  But they have traveled this route for years and probably know every twist and turn. Plus the slow moving train makes you feel as if you are safe to hang off the side, not that Dave and I attempted the open concept of train travel.

That's One Way to Catch the Train

Check out this video of just how relaxed the train travel is in Sri Lanka.

I have yet to see a train captain come through to check tickets and between second class and general seating there seems to be little difference other than the seats.

The crowds can be the same in both. We even we ended up in general class once enjoying an open plot of floor by the window. We had second class tickets, but it was so crowded, general seating ended up being more comfortable.

Atmosphere on the Train

Train travel in Sri Lanka is very relaxed. Men walk through with snacks and drinks and people chat like it is Sunday afternoon tea.

Sri Lankan trains run as they have for 50 years.  The trains haven’t changed since the colonial days of the British.  Stations are spotless and adorable.  They are old Victorian structures that still tell passengers if their train is on time by using wooden tiles that hang on the schedule post.  Tickets are sold at the single window and you are given a stub which must be returned at the end of your journey.

Conductors walk the platform followed by the resident dog, and even the bathrooms are spotless with signs separating ladies and gents in second and general class. I don’t think a person would have a care in the world if a general ticket holder walked into the second class ticket room.

We really enjoy riding the trains in Sri Lanka.

People are helpful when you try to find your stop and are very friendly.  The asked us questions like where are we from and do we love Sri Lanka. They enjoyed the conversations as much as we did.

Some trains have an observation car at the back of the train.  This is a beautiful way to travel in total comfort and take in the view without the crowds.  You must book these cars well in advance however, so know your travel schedule well.

Costs and more information

• Trains are cheap in Sri Lanka tickets can range from less than 100 Rs to up to 700 Rs for the observation car.  With 112 RS equling $1 USD that is some pretty reasonable travel at les than $7 for the most expensive ticket.
• Prices vary on length but you won’t find anything that will break the pocket book.
• There are toilets on the trains and they really aren’t that bad.

So, if you find yourself traveling to Sri Lanka in the future, make sure to do yourself a favor and take the train around the country. It is an amazing way to immerse yourselves with the locals and it offers spectacular views of this country filled with a rich and varied landscape.

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India Rail, Train Travel Tips and Tricks

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Train travel in India can be intimidating for a fist timer.

It can be confusing and overwhelming, but once you figure it all out, it isn’t so bad at all.
The easiest way to book a ticket on India Rail is to do so online at http://www.irctc.co.in/ Make sure to have a printer handy to print out your ticket. You can read more about how to book India Rail Tickets online at our post Figuring Out India Rail Travel
However a trip to the train station is always an adventure.
The first thing that you will need to know about train travel in India the class system.
For overnight bookings you will definitely want to be comfortable.  You need to know that difference between classes when you book your ticket or you may end up on a very uncomfortable journey.

Here are some tips to help make your India Rail bookings easier

India Rail Classes:
1AC – Air conditioned, private room with locking doors.  T or 4 berth
2AC – Air conditioned two tiered beds, 4 people to a berth
3AC - Air conditioned, three tiered beds, 6 people to a berth
CL - Chair Class padded reclining seats with air conditioning
SL - Sleeper Class, Non air conditioned tiered berths.
2nd class – unreserved seating, free for all

1,2 and 3 AC are travelers best bets for overnight trains. They are clean, cool and comfortable.  Plus they are quiet and you won’t be breathing in the fumes from the trains when they enter a tunnel. A local man from India that was riding in 3 AC with us said, “SL is loud and you go insane listening to clickety clack, clickety clack.”

How to Book your Train Ticket – from the train station.

1. Go to the computer reservation desk.
2. Get a form.  Go right to the front of the line and ask for a form first thing. You aren’t budding in line, you just need to get that piece of paper.
3. Get in line and fill out the form while standing in line.  Otherwise several people will get ahead of you while you fill out your form at the table and it can be a very long wait.
4. Know the name of the train station that you want to go to.  Stops are not always the same name as the city and the ticket agent may not know the stop that you want if you simply say Goa because there are several stops for Goa.
5. There will most likely be a waiting list when you book your tickets.  India rail tickets are always sold out and you will rarely get a seat that day.  Being 1 to 10 on the waiting list is a very good chance that you will get your seat confirmed if you are booking on 3AC class.  2Ac may be a different story as there aren’t as many seats. Sometimes even higher numbers will be confirmed. The sooner you book your train ticket in advance, the better chance that you will get on the train when you want to.

At the Train Station

Getting on the right car of the train can be just as confusing as anything.

We got on the wrong car our first train trip because we didn’t know where to look for our number.  As we learned however, the India rail system is very well organized and if you know where to look, you will be able to find what you need.

1. Go to the computer to confirm your booking seat number.  Punch in your PNR number and the screen will give you all the

A Good Nights Sleep

information that you need.
2. Write down your information on your train ticket and go to the electronic board to look for your train number and car number.
3. Proceed to the engine number that coincides with your train and car by number. It will be listed on the board as well.  Stand and wait at the engine number on the platform until your train arrives.  India trains are very long containing several boxcars, so you want to make sure that you wait at the right spot.
4. Don’t take too long to board.  Sometimes trains wait awhile at the station, other times they leave without warning.
Most likely people will be sitting in your seat, Just tell them your number and they will move, or simply make room for you.
5. Know the names of a couple of stops before yours.  There aren’t announcements on most trains and you simply have to keep an eye out for your stop.  Know the time that you arrive and start watching for the stops before yours.
6. Gather all of your belongings ahead of time and be prepared.  Like #4 on this list…trains in India can sometimes stop for a long time and other times not so long at all barely giving you time to grab your bags and get to the door.

Tips

One or our Berth Mates, Father Yaunon

1. Put your luggage under your seat right away. It fills up quickly and if you set it above on a bed, you won’t have a place to put it later.

2. Bring a chain lock or pack safe.  On a 3AC Sleeper train, you could be 3 beds high and not notice anyone come into your berth. While you are sleeping, you will never know who will walk through.  Having your valuables locked to a pole or bed will give you a more relaxed sleep.

3. Food is provided, but not included.  Water, chai and sodas are available for sale.  You will never go hungry.  There is always someone going through offering food and drink.  If you don’t want to buy food on the train, bring your own snacks.
Have an alarm.  Nobody is going to come and wake you up when your stop, it is all up to you.

Taking the train in India is the easiest and most comfortable way to travel through the country.

Our Seat mates, Churchill and Dalti

Train travel in India can be a lot of fun and it is a wonderful way to get to know the people of India.  When you are stuck in a berth staring at each other with your knees almost touching, you have no choice but to chat and get to know each other. By the time your stop comes, you won’t want to get off the train because you have made such great new friends in the lovely country of India.

Thanks to all of our new friends that helped us, by giving us information on rail travel, coming to check on us before our stop, buying us soup and translating all the conversations going on around us.

We will never forget our first overnight sleeper train on India rail and luckily our ticket booking wasn’t the nightmare that we have always heard about.

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