The 4 Train Experiences Around the World That Earn the Detour

1.Ella: Tea Factory, Train, and Nine Arch Day Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 98 reviews · 16 hours · from $140Our pick

Spend up to 16 hours traveling from Colombo, Galle, Negombo, or nearby resorts to Ella with an English-speaking guide and private air-conditioned transport. The day combines Ravana Waterfall, a short train ride, Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, tea tasting, the Ravana Pool Club, and an optional zipline. Guides such as Krish, Ranga, Dinesh, and Rukshan are praised for friendly, flexible help.

“What a day! We were about 1 day to leave the country and curious how to make dream about Sri Lanka come true and see from train majestic scenery, Apple vacations did a great job and made perfect trip to Ella from Colombo! Our Guide Krish was very kind, supportive and thoughtful to our needs, he put his soul so we can leave Sri Lanka really happy! We did see waterfall, 9 Archs, had time to walk within Ella's streets with amazing scenery and train trip dream also did come true with help of best routing decisions of Krish! Thank you so much! We are so happy with the tour!”

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2.Lake District – Rail Tour from London with Cream Tea and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 75 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $460

Take an early train from London Euston to Oxenholme, then explore the Lake District by minivan with guides such as Peter, Graham, or Mark. See Windermere, Hawkshead, Tarn Hows, and Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top in summer, with a cruise and cream tea included. Winter visits swap in Rydal Mount and Bowness.

“We got picked up 2 hours late from the station. No apologies from the local guide. Not worth of money at all!”

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3.Ella Private Day Trip with Train Ride & Tea Factory-All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $190Top rated

You’ll leave the south coast early for Ella with a private driver-guide such as Pradeep, Dinesh, or Danuskha. The day includes Rawana Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, the Demodara Loop, a scenic train ride to Haputale, and a tea factory visit. Lunch, tickets, water, and hotel transfers are included.

“This is the perfect way to visit a few key sites if you're short on time. In one day we got to visit a waterfall, the nine arches bridge, Ella and little Adam's Peak. It was perfect! Prot Tip: bring a change of clothes.”

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4.Vietnam Tea Tasting – Giang Egg Coffee & Train Street Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 3 hours · from $36Best value

Spend three hours with an English-speaking guide learning how Vietnamese tea is grown, classified, brewed, and served. Taste green and red tea, practice making one kind, then choose Giang egg coffee, Train Street, or both. Groups have 2 to 5 people, with optional Bun Cha lunch and no hotel pickup outside Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

“The whole day was great but the caves were amazing. We went on a quiet day luckily.”

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