Train travel in Sri Lanka has gotten a lot of hype on Instagram, but is it really worth it? In a word, yes. I got off the train and immediately said, “let’s do that again!” This island offers several of the most scenic and memorable train experiences in the world. From vast mountain landscapes to vivid green tea plantations and more, here are nine reasons why riding the rails in Sri Lanka lives up to the buzz.

1. Views, Views, Views

The views alone would justify any of the famous Sri Lankan train trips. You’ll likely see mist-covered mountains, rolling hills dotted with hundreds of tea plants …

… colorful houses …

… and so much more.

If you take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella, you’ll even get to stop and take a look at the country’s famous 9-Arch Bridge.

2. You’re Really In It

Most train rides are about sitting back, sipping coffee, and flipping through a book or watching a movie to pass the time. But not this one. Unless you’ve opted for the air-conditioned car (which I hope you won’t), this is a hang-your-head-outside, wind-in-your-face kind of journey. It’s so much fun!!! You’ll smell the damp jungle, wave to strangers (yes, people really do wave back), and feel like you’re really part of the journey.

Note: to have this experience, you’ll need to book seats in the Observation car (or any other car without AC). The only downside to this option is that the Observation car is likely to be jam-packed with tourists; if you want to interact with actual Sri Lankans, second or third class tickets might be better bets.

3. The Adrenaline Rush

They have doors on these trains. They just don’t bother to close them. So you can, if you choose, spend the entire ride hanging with your body half in — and half out — of the train (Those guys on the left in the photos above? They’re standing in doorways on a moving train.). You might want to extend hanging-out-of-the-door technique to antics that are very dangerous, but I don’t recommend it. Just feeling the rush as you’re standing on the edge of the train car is amazing.

4. Storybook Stations

Rows of flowering potted plants, hand-painted signs, near-empty platforms — it’s like you’re looking into another century. Plus, as a bonus: many of the stations are pink!

5. Smiles From Strangers

When’s the last time you waved at dozens of people and had all of them wave back? I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything like my time in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, where everyone seems ready to raise a hand and offer a smile in greeting. It’s impossible not to smile in return.

6. Trains with Personality

If you like trains with the traditional sound effects — clickety-clack, clickety-clack — then you’re in luck.

You won’t find many of the old steam locomotives anymore — you’ll probably find yourself in a diesel situation — but these trains still clank and rattle and sway and bump over the tracks like they mean it.

7. Getting a Glimpse of Everyday Life

Trains often wind back into parts of the world in which cars rarely find themselves, areas that are often smaller or quieter or less hustley-bustley. You’ll get quick snippets of everything from students walking home from school to backyard farms.

8. Taking it Slow

Don’t expect these trains to run on time — they won’t. That timetable above is just an approximation (assuming it has any relationship to reality at all). And that’s ok. It’s nice to slow down for a change, especially on trains that are this clean and easy to navigate.

9. It’s Easy on the Pocketbook (If You’re Lucky …)

Sri Lankan trains are quite inexpensive by most standards; the most popular routes (Kandy to Nanu Oya and Nanu Oya to Ella) can cost less than two US dollars one way per person. That’s great news for anyone on a budget. The bad news is that these tickets get snapped up fast by third-party vendors — so unless you manage to grab your ticket right on the dot, you may end up paying over $20 USD per person (still a bargain, but a steep outlay for many backpackers).

The trick is to plan ahead and get on the official Sri Lanka Railways website exactly a month before you want to travel. And I mean exactly a month — wait eight hours until you wake up in the morning, as I did, and you may find that all of the cheap seats are gone.

Ready to Keep Exploring Sri Lanka?

Here are a few more unforgettable stops along the way:

• 🐘 Wildlife Encounters: Animals You’ll See on a Sri Lanka Safari — spot leopards, elephants, and rare bears in Sri Lanka’s national parks
• 🍃 4 Must-Do Activities in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s Hill Country — wander tea estates, temples, and cool mountain gardens
• 🏰 Exploring Galle Fort, Sri Lanka: A Walk Through History — discover a charming, walkable seaside fortress