Hostels in Ella, Sri Lanka

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30 hostels currently listed in Ella. Every listing below was submitted by or on behalf of the property and checked by a person before publication. Contact the hostel directly using the details shown.

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Why Stay in a Hostel in Ella

Ella is the rare Sri Lankan destination where you can do everything on foot. Little Adam's Peak, the Nine Arches Bridge and Ella Rock all start from the town itself, which means no drivers, no negotiated fares and no fixed schedule. That, combined with a dense concentration of hostels and a walkable main street, makes it the easiest place in the country to meet other travellers if you are on your own.

Best Areas to Stay in Ella

Ella main street

The centre of everything: restaurants, tour desks, the bus stop and the shortest walk to the station. Also the loudest, and music from the bars carries.

The slopes above town

Properties climbing the hillsides on either side, many with views into the Ella Gap. Quieter and cooler, at the cost of a steep walk home.

Towards Kithalella and Demodara

Further out along the valley, closer to the Nine Arches Bridge side. Much quieter and more rural. Expect to walk or take a tuk-tuk into town in the evening.

How to Reach Ella

The train is the reason most people come. Ella sits on the Colombo-Badulla main line, and the stretch up from Kandy takes roughly six to eight hours depending on the service and delays. Reserved seats are released well in advance and sell out quickly; unreserved third class is almost always available but you may stand. Buses connect Ella with Bandarawela, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and, less comfortably, the south coast. Coming from the beaches around Mirissa or Tangalle, most travellers take a bus or a shared van up through Wellawaya.

Getting Around Ella

On foot, for the most part. Tuk-tuks wait at the top of the main street and run to the Nine Arches Bridge, Ravana Falls and the further trailheads. Self-drive tuk-tuk hire is popular here and worth taking seriously: the roads are narrow, steep and wet more often than you would expect. Ella is also the highest-altitude place many travellers stay, so expect genuinely cool nights and pack accordingly.

Things to Do in and Around Ella

Nine Arches Bridge

The stone viaduct near Demodara, reachable on foot from town through the tea. Check when a train is due if you want to see one cross.

Little Adam's Peak

A short, well-marked climb with a wide view over the Ella Gap. The most accessible of the local hikes and popular at sunrise.

Ella Rock

Longer and considerably harder than Little Adam's Peak, partly following the railway line. The route is poorly signed and it is easy to be steered onto a paid "guided" detour.

Ravana Falls

Roadside waterfall on the way towards Wellawaya, easy to reach by tuk-tuk. Volume depends heavily on recent rain.

Tea factory visits

Several working estates and factories in the surrounding hills run tours. Your hostel will know which are open and running on a given day.

Ella for Backpackers and Solo Travellers

Ella is the most social stop on most Sri Lanka itineraries and the easiest place to fall in with other travellers. It is also, by a distance, the most touristed small town in the hill country, which cuts both ways: everything is set up for you, and very little of it is cheap by Sri Lankan standards. Hiking alone on Ella Rock is common but the route is genuinely confusing, so tell someone where you are going and start early. Nights get cold enough that a fleece is not optional.

How long to stay in Ella

Two to three nights is typical, which covers the two main hikes and the bridge. Longer if you want to slow down, work remotely, or use Ella as a base for Lipton's Seat and Diyaluma Falls further out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hostels in Ella

What is the best area to stay in Ella?

On or just off the main street if you want to walk everywhere and be near the restaurants. On the slopes above town if you want views and quiet and do not mind a steep walk back at night.

How many days should backpackers spend in Ella?

Two to three nights. That is enough for Little Adam's Peak, the Nine Arches Bridge and either Ella Rock or a tea estate visit, without rushing.

Do I need to book the train to Ella in advance?

For a reserved seat, yes, well in advance. Unreserved third class tickets are sold on the day and are almost always available, but you should expect to stand for part of a long journey.

Is Ella cold at night?

Cooler than most travellers expect. At around a thousand metres, evenings and early mornings are genuinely chilly, and many budget rooms have no heating. Bring a warm layer.

Can I walk to the Nine Arches Bridge from Ella town?

Yes. It is a walk of roughly half an hour to forty-five minutes depending on which path you take. Tuk-tuks also run there if you would rather not walk back uphill.

Where to Go Next from Ella

Destinations most commonly combined with Ella on a Sri Lanka itinerary:

• Hostels in Kandy — the other end of the hill-country train line
• Hostels in Nuwara Eliya — higher into the tea country, on the same railway
• Hostels in Haputale — a quieter tea town nearby, for Lipton's Seat
• Hostels in Tissamaharama — the gateway to Yala, south of the hills
• Hostels in Mirissa — the south coast beaches, a common next stop

See all Sri Lankan destinations in this directory

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