Is it better to travel around Sri Lanka by train or by private driver?

It is best to go with a hybrid approach: hire a private driver for maximum daily efficiency, but take the train specifically for that world-famous, scenic Kandy to Ella run.

Even though trains deliver unmatched landscapes in the highlands and a classic cultural feel, they are typically slow, often tangled up with delays, and tricky to handle when you have heavy luggage. A private driver then brings better comfort, enhanced safety, and cleaner time control for most of the journey. Many visitors coordinate with their private driver so the heavy luggage is securely transported, then the driver can move ahead and meet you at the destination station, giving you the absolute best of both worlds.