The northern line to Jaffna: Sri Lanka's other great train ride
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The northern line to Jaffna: Sri Lanka's other great train ride

Through the cultural triangle and the elephant country of the Vanni to the palmyra flatlands of the Tamil north. Why Jaffna deserves the journey. While crowds queue for Ella, the northern line runs quietly from Colombo through Anuradhapura and the scrub jungle of the Vanni to Jaffna, a different Sri Lanka of palmyra palms, golden kovils and unhurried.

travelguides.lk · updated 13 Mar 2026 Sourced editorial

The journey

While crowds queue for Ella, the northern line runs quietly from Colombo through Anuradhapura and the scrub jungle of the Vanni to Jaffna, a different Sri Lanka of palmyra palms, golden kovils and unhurried streets that reward the curious.

The intercity takes six to seven hours. Come for Nallur temple's golden gopuram, crab curry that rivals anywhere on earth, island-hopping causeways to Delft's wild ponies, and a cultural depth the south cannot duplicate.

Frequently asked

How long is the train to Jaffna?

Around 6 to 7 hours from Colombo Fort on intercity services via Anuradhapura.

Is Jaffna worth visiting?

Absolutely: Tamil culture, remarkable food, island causeways and far fewer tourists than the southern circuit.

What should I eat in Jaffna?

Jaffna crab curry above all, plus dosa, kool seafood broth and palmyra treats found nowhere else on the island.

Places in this guide

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Nine Arch Bridge Nine Arch Bridge Ella Rock Ella Rock Kandy 0.9 km Kandy Ravana Falls 1.5 km Ravana Falls Café Chill 1.5 km Café Chill Pekoe Trail, Stage 1 (Hanthana) 5.9 km Pekoe Trail, Stage 1 (Hanthana) Lipton’s Seat 10.4 km Lipton’s Seat

Sources

  1. Sri Lanka Railways ↗

We compile and link to public sources; details change, so verify time-sensitive specifics before you travel.