Visiting Nine Arch Bridge in Sri Lanka: Ultimate Guide 2024

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The Nine Arch Bridge in Demodara is one of the most recognizable and “instagrammable” attractions in Sri Lanka. 9 out of 10 tourists visiting the mountainous region of the country took a photo here. The famous Nine Arch Bridge in Sri Lanka, built in the village of Gotuwala, looks like it has just stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale.

Check this ultimate travel guide to the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella; get more details on best time of the day to visit, best day tours to join, where to buy train tickets and other useful information for first timers.

General Info

  • Location: on the railway track between Ella city and Demodara city station.
  • Construction date: 1921.
  • Height: 30 meters.
  • How to visit Nine Arch Bridge: book a half-day tour to the 9 Arches Bridge here.
  • You can buy a train ticket from Kandy to Ella or back on the Viator website at the lowest price ( here ).
  • You can buy a ticket for the Blue Train to Ella, Badulla from Kandy here .
  • On the map: link

Why is the Nine Arches Bridge famous?

Nine-arch bridge in Sri Lanka was built by British colonialists. During the construction, only stones and bricks were used, – no metal and concrete. At that time, locals considered this bridge a real engineering miracle. Since then, the bridge has never been restored – it has retained its original charm and is still functioning. All trains going to Badulla pass through it.

Nine arch bridge in Sri Lanka

The Nine Arch Bridge has become popular among tourists due to its unusual appearance and picturesque landscapes that surround it. This is one of the most beautiful places in the country and a must-visit during a trip to Sri Lanka.

Best Day Tours to the Nine Arch Bridge

The booking service – Viator, which is part of Trip Advisor, offers a day tour, during which you can visit not only the Nine Arches Bridge, but also climb the mountains, enjoy the beautiful sunset from Adam’s Peak and visit the tea plantation.

You can book a day tour by clicking on the link . The cost of the tour is $78 per person.

The price of the day tour includes an English speaking guide, lunch, water and an air-conditioned car. For the trip, choose light clothes and comfortable shoes.

Or you can make booking on GetYourGuide platform. Day tour includes visit to Ella Rock, Little Adam Peak and Nine Arch Bridge. Click here to get more information about the price.

How to Get There

To visit this place, you need to drive to Ella city, located in the province of Badulla, in the region of the central mountainous Sri Lanka, which is 200 km from Colombo and 50 km from Nuwara Eliya. If you want to cross the legendary bridge, then buy a ticket for train going to Demodara.

Tuk-Tuk

Many visitors decide to walk along the bridge on their own to take photos. To get to the sights, you need to go along the railway lines from Ella towards Demodara for 1.5 km. You can also take a tuk-tuk: it will cost you 200 rupees. You can hire a tuk-tuk on the main street of Ella.

Tuk-tuk usually does not take passengers to the bridge itself, as the price for this will be unreasonably high. Therefore, the last part of the way to the bridge, passengers pass on their own. To avoid conflict situations, negotiate the fee in advance.

9 arches bridge in Sri Lanka

Bike or car

If you’re going to use a bike or a car, the road goes next to the railway tracks and is about 6 kilometers long. There are signposts along the asphalt road from Ella, also you can use navigator – Nine Arch Bridge / Demodara Bridge – the attraction is on all maps, so the path will be laid accurately.

On foot

The nine-arch bridge from Ella can be reached on foot. There are many roads leading there, you can follow these hints: go from Chill cafe, which is located in the center of Ella and follow the Ella-Passara road to Ella hostel.

Your’ll pass by a large number of cafes. Then, follow the signs leading to the arched bridge.

You can walk along the bridge itself and see how the trains run (12 times a day, the first one at 9 am). But the most beautiful pictures can be taken from the observation platform nearby.

View of the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella (Sri Lanka)

It is not a tourist path, so it is not so easy to find it. A little further from the bridge there is a settlement with several houses. You need to reach them, and then follow the makeshift signs, which will lead to the site.

You can ask locals about the way to the Nine arch bridge in Demodara – it was they who built the gazebo. The “owner” of the observation deck lives right behind it.

He is always happy to chat with foreigners, and he also writes down all visitors in special notebook, you can leave wishes as a keepsake. For a nominal fee, you can drink juice or coffee.

Another option to take beautiful photos of the nine-arch bridge is from tea plantations, which are located on the opposite side of the tunnel.

It is important to remember that tea plantations are the private property, so make sure that no one will object to your presence. Be careful and try not to break the plants. Also, tea plantations can be dirty and damp. But the view from this location on the 9 arch bridge in Sri Lanka is worth it.

It gets dark early in Sri Lanka, so plan your walk in the morning. Walking along the railway tracks in the dark is dangerous.

Best Time to Visit 9 Arches Bridge in Sri Lanka

Considering that the nine arch bridge is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, a large number of visitors from all over the world come here every day to take beautiful photos. You can enjoy the views in silence only at dawn, at the same time you can take incredibly beautiful photos.

Already at 7 am, the first groups of tourists begin to gather, and at 9 am it is already full of people. You can also take a stunning picture at the moment the train races over the arched bridge. Against the backdrop of saturated hills of tropical greenery, it looks especially impressive. Please not, that photo and video shooting from drones is officially banned in Sri Lanka.

A small life hack for those who want to avoid the crowds – visit the 9 arches bridge during the rain. It is unlikely that there will be a large number of tourists who will interfere with you. In order not to get wet, you can hide under the nearest trees or bring raincoats with you in advance.

Trains pass over the nine arch bridge in Sri Lanka at 9.30, 11.30, 15.30, 16.30, 17.30. Please note that trains may be delayed.

Nine Arch Bridge in Sri Lanka

Where to Stay

In recent years, many hostels were opened with stunning views of the 9 Arch Bridge. One of the major drawbacks is remote location from Ella city, so you have to think in advance about how to get to the nearest restaurant.

If you’re looking for the best option to stay, you can consider one of the following hostels and mini-hotels as accommodation options: Nine Arch View Ella , The Secret Ella , The Chillout Ella , Green Hill.

Hotels near the 9 arches bridge in Ella
The Secret Ella Hotel

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