What is the best train booking app for Sri Lanka?

Booking Sri Lankan train tickets online, using the government’s official booking portal “Pravesha” at seatbooking.railway.gov.lk, is the most direct and reliable route. For international travellers who hit payment gateway trouble on the local site, 12Go Asia is the best third-party workaround, but yes, it charges a premium.

Train tickets on popular scenic stretches, especially the Kandy to Ella route, can disappear weeks ahead. The Pravesha system usually starts taking reservations exactly 30 days before the travel day. So it is strongly recommended to set up an account and place the order the moment that booking window opens, if you are aiming for first-class air-conditioned seats or second-class reserved seating.