Catch The Ella Train Hostel
Hostel in Gangawatakorale
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Internet / Wifi, Gym or Fitness Center and more
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this hostel
Located in Kandy, Catch The Ella Train Hostel is 500 metres from Peradeniya Railway Station, 1.1 km from Kandy Royal Botanic Gardens and The property is 19.1 Km to the Ambuluwawa Tower, 8.2 km from Ceylon Tea Museum, 7.
Amenities
Internet / Wifi
Gym or Fitness Center
Garden
Map of Gangawatakorale
Available Rooms
1 Single • 75 ft²
Sleeps 1
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 King • 96 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
100% verified reviews
5.0 / 5.0
So happy I stayed here! Asanka, the owner was super kind. As soon as I made the booking he got in touch to check if there was anything I needed including if I had a ticket for the train to Ella and if I needed help with it. I did! Within 30 mins he had gone to the train station and sorted out my ticket!!!! The house is gorgeous and surrounded by nature. Really beautiful. The new bathroom is just perfect and felt like luxury after traveling for 6 weeks. Asanka makes this place truly special and he is full of knowledge on the history of Sri Lanka which makes for fascinating stories! He also took me on a beautiful tour around the area which turned into oneof my favourite days and made Kandy super special.
3.0 / 5.0
The guy who runs the hostel is very helpful, will answer any questions or queries even before you've arrived at the hostel and went out of his way to meet me when the bus dropped me off. Gave me a fresh coconut as a welcome drink, which is a nice gesture. He did explain that he would take me on a tour and to a temple to show how they worship and the reasoning behind it. He provides a towel, soap and toilet roll.
I don't believe in fabricating reviews to help a person's business, reviews need to be honest on what you see. I booked this hostel based on the reviews and when I arrived I was surprised because the reviews made it sound so much nicer. The dorm room is literally two bottom bunks as in the picture with a mosquito net. You are given a very battered locker which was hard to lock even for the owner. There wasn't anywhere to put your things. No fan or a.c. when I mentioned about the fan, the response was to leave the door open which doubled up as the main entrance from outside, given Kandy is a main city in Sri Lanka, the safety of guests have been considered.There isn't a communal area or space to chill or hang out. You only literally have the 2 bed dorm room to hang out. I also noticed that for other people to get to the bathroom from outside they would have to walk through the dorm room. As a solo female traveller I didn't feel safe. It isn't good value for what you pay, bear in mind it's very far out of town and will dent your pocket with tuk tuks
5.0 / 5.0
The owner is such an easy guy to get along with. He has a great sense of humor. Breakfast everyday was different and so delicious! He took me on a tour to the tea factory, an artist studio, a village, and an Ayuverdic spa. He ended our tour with a treat (baked goods and homemade biryani) when I finished my massage. He also offered to give a tour of the Buddhist temples. This hostel is extremely close to the train station and easy to access Royal Botanical Garden by bus. Even the complimentary soap here smells amazing. I really enjoyed my stay at this hostel and I've made a wonderful lifelong friend. I would recommend for solo travellers especially because of the delicious free breakfast and the activities that the host has planned.
5.0 / 5.0
Great host and memorable city tour
This is my second time visiting Sri Lanka and I came back to this hostel simply because I wanted to catch the ella train. Hostel is located a little bit away from the main city but easily accessible by bus or tuk tuk. Highlight of my stay was the tour done by the host.
Asanka tour guided me around Kandy. Got the chance to visit a temple, visited a local family who are artists by profession and learned something about Sri Lankan art and crafts and the highlight of my tour was the Ayurvedic massage recommended by the host. I had returned from sigiriya and was really tired and this massage was exactly what I needed to recharge my body and mind.
hostel is located in a peaceful area away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Place was simple but clean. Large bedroom and large washroom compared to other places I stayed in Sri Lanka.
And for this price it was definitely worth it.
5.0 / 5.0
Asanka was so helpful and walked me to the train station to get the the 3:45am train. hostel was clean, comfy beds. easy to get to. was a few stops before kandy. would 100% recommend staying here.
5.0 / 5.0
Asanka is the most wonderful host. He helped us with everything. He helped us get the train tickets in advance. He helped us get a ride from the airport. And he was available to answer all our questions and requests all the time. He also offered a tour around Kandy to get to know the local culture and the sights worth seeing. And he followed us to the train and made sure we got on. The room and the bathroom was simple, but clean. We recommend Asanka and his acommodation to everyone!
5.0 / 5.0
Very nice and welcoming host. He was very helpful with all the information about the train and he even went to the train station some days before my arrival to check for available tickets for my date! He even offered to walk me to my train in the morning.
The location was walking distance to the train station, supermarket and different food options. There is a tempel not too far away, which should be really beautiful (copy of the Buddhagaya in India), but unfortunately I didn't stay long enough to visit.
The beds are comfortable and there is a proper mosquito net covering it. The bathroom and the house in generel is clean.
And most importantly I got on a train to Ella. I took the 3:45, which was only 1/4 full when I got on, so I had a seat for the whole journey. Nice with the sunrise and in general a beautiful train ride!
4.8 / 5.0
Fantastic, sporting, kind and fun host! Initially my plan was just to stay one night and then go down to Gampola. But his conversation kinda kickstart a new exciting journey. He tour guided me around Kandy and Perandineya. Visited Royal botanical garden, batik/ sarung window shopping ( learnt about the process of making batik), tea factory, spice garden, fine arts workshop, an authentic Sri Lankan Aryuvendic massage and the temple in A SINGLE DAY! Fantastic man. How would not get this kind of free experience with this host! If you are a high class people, you may complain about the facilities. But if you are a enthusiastic and simple traveller, you will definitely enjoy this place!
The massage was really authentic, medical based oil massage which ends with a steam bath to detoxify your body. Good recommendation by the host. Felt recharged and clear mind after the massage.
Peaceful area, and you can do star gazing at night at the junction.
Gonna miss this place a lot. It’s a little challenging to this secluded hostel.
5.0 / 5.0
This place could be the best place to stay before you catch a train to Ella in/near Kandy. We didn't want to go through a busy, big city and make sure to get a seat on a train to Ella so we decided to book a hostel a few stops before Kandy. It was the right choice as not only we got a help to get a ticket to Ella but also we had such a great time in this hostel that we just decided to stay one more day here! The toilet & shower is so clean, and you get the nice mountain and temple view, little front garden to sit and relax, amazing local restaurants are nearby. If I come back to Kandy again, I would definitely stay here again! The owner was so helpful and made us comfortable in everyway. Don't hesitate to come this place!
Nothing really
5.0 / 5.0
What a lovely place! I found this place by accident being in a Spice Garden in Kandy! My tour guide was giving me a tour and mention this lovely place. I missed my train to Ella that day so it was quite handy for me to stay somewhere close *oudside of Kandy* to catch the train to Ella. I stayed there unfortunately just one night but i truly recommand this place and the host. Really nice guy, gave me tour and few tips! He walked me to train station the next day to make sure I am gonna catch this time the train :P - he even cook a dinner for me a night before!! :D
Nice place, clean bathroom with 4 beds. Simple but nice - and like the name of the place - easy to catch the train!
ps. please check Spice Garden in Kandy - def worth visiting!
There is no hot water there yet... but after long walk its actually nice to have cooler shower :)
FAQs
How much does this hostel cost compared to others in Gangawatakorale?
The average price for a rental in Gangawatakorale is $62 per night. This rental is $35 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this hostel?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Catch The Ella Train Hostel. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this hostel?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this hostel. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Catch The Ella Train Hostel pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this hostel is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Catch The Ella Train Hostel?
We found 3 amenities for this rental. This includes internet / wifi, gym or fitness center, and garden.
Explore similar vacation rentals in Gangawatakorale
Explore all rentals in GangawatakoraleGangawatakorale travel inspiration
Read our blogGuides
Best East Coast Beaches and Getaway Locations You Can’t Miss
Budget Travel
7 Most Affordable Snowbird Destinations for 2025
Guides
Top Activities to Try in Panama City Beach, Florida
Guides
Top Things to Do in Gulf Shores, Alabama: Adventure and Fun Await
Local Culture
Exploring Miami’s Wynwood District: Street Art, Food, and More
Guides
Fun Things to Do in Ocean City, Maryland
Local Culture
A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Dining in Orlando, Florida
Guides
Top Things to Do in Oahu and Honolulu