First Time to Sri Lanka
Sep 26, 23, 1:13 pm
#46
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: Free agent!
Posts: 1,399
Train ride only if you can get the train with reservable/1st class seating (or if you don't mind crampjng in, starting at the beginning of the train). Took a tourist train the mountains (tourist carriage) and then got a train from the Galle area to Colombo in 2015. Not so straight forward as I decided to take the train from Galle to Matara (then start of the line) for a day or two before heading back to Colombo. Good decision. Train started off with empty seats leaving Matara but by the time we got to Galle, it was pretty full and was soon standing room only all the way to Colombo. We were in 2nd which was the top of the 2 classes on most trains (2nd & 3rd). Arrived to a crush on the platform in Colombo 9forget which station but whichever one was near the bus terminal for the airport bus). Given this experience, I would not get on an unreserved seating train in Colombo. Even Seat61 says that you'll probably get a seat if boarding at the train's origina of Colombo Maradana but seats likely to be all taken by the fist stop of Colombo Fort 2 Km down the line.
I took third class from Colombo Fort to Weligama (a few stops before Matara) and while the train carriage was full, I had a seat the whole way outside of giving my seat to a senior citizen for a bit. By the time we got to Galle, most of the train emptied out and the ride from Galle to Weligama was very empty. On my way back from Weligama, I went with second class and the train was empty all the way to Colombo Fort.
My experiences in Sri Lanka were a bit of a mixed bag but taking the train was probably my favourite thing from the visit.
Sep 28, 23, 6:03 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Canada & US
Programs: Hyatt Marriott FSPP
Posts: 73
This was not my experience back in 2016.
I took third class from Colombo Fort to Weligama (a few stops before Matara) and while the train carriage was full, I had a seat the whole way outside of giving my seat to a senior citizen for a bit. By the time we got to Galle, most of the train emptied out and the ride from Galle to Weligama was very empty. On my way back from Weligama, I went with second class and the train was empty all the way to Colombo Fort.
My experiences in Sri Lanka were a bit of a mixed bag but taking the train was probably my favourite thing from the visit.
I took third class from Colombo Fort to Weligama (a few stops before Matara) and while the train carriage was full, I had a seat the whole way outside of giving my seat to a senior citizen for a bit. By the time we got to Galle, most of the train emptied out and the ride from Galle to Weligama was very empty. On my way back from Weligama, I went with second class and the train was empty all the way to Colombo Fort.
My experiences in Sri Lanka were a bit of a mixed bag but taking the train was probably my favourite thing from the visit.
Sep 28, 23, 6:37 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: statusless these days
Posts: 21,414
I just looked up the date of the rail trip. It was on a Thursday mid morning in early December and as far as I can determine, not a holiday or religious day. Just a normal work day with a rail system that cannot keep up with demand.
Sep 28, 23, 7:04 pm
#49
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 4,552
Every month they have a full moon Poya day holiday. The train is always busy in the mornings and in the evenings. I mean passengers even hanging on the hand rails. It is unbelievable. I have seen a guy fall off the train onto the tracks and his knee crushed. He was carried by bystanders on the road and part of his bones were put in a plastic bag and carried and to do what I do not know. Luckily the poor chap survived but obviously a cripple.
Sep 28, 23, 7:17 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: statusless these days
Posts: 21,414
I noticed that but the Poyas were in late November and late December (X'mas eve FWIW) that year (2015), so unless there is a new moon holiday.....
Wasn't quite as crowded (at least in 2nd class) but it was reminiscent of Indian trains. We purposely started the rail trip at the originating station for that reason.
When we were in Galle, our driver took the bus back to Colombo every night to stay with his family. The bus is apparently the advanced, faster and more luxurious means of transport.
The train is always busy in the mornings and in the evenings. I mean passengers even hanging on the hand rails. It is unbelievable. I have seen a guy fall off the train onto the tracks and his knee crushed. He was carried by bystanders on the road and part of his bones were put in a plastic bag and carried and to do what I do not know. Luckily the poor chap survived but obviously a cripple.
When we were in Galle, our driver took the bus back to Colombo every night to stay with his family. The bus is apparently the advanced, faster and more luxurious means of transport.
Sep 29, 23, 2:03 am
#51
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 4,552
I noticed that but the Poyas were in late November and late December (X'mas eve FWIW) that year (2015), so unless there is a new moon holiday.....
Wasn't quite as crowded (at least in 2nd class) but it was reminiscent of Indian trains. We purposely started the rail trip at the originating station for that reason.
When we were in Galle, our driver took the bus back to Colombo every night to stay with his family. The bus is apparently the advanced, faster and more luxurious means of transport.
Wasn't quite as crowded (at least in 2nd class) but it was reminiscent of Indian trains. We purposely started the rail trip at the originating station for that reason.
When we were in Galle, our driver took the bus back to Colombo every night to stay with his family. The bus is apparently the advanced, faster and more luxurious means of transport.
