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Visit Sri Lanka Tours
Q: How do I receive my tickets ?
A: please refer to the confirmation email which will outline the procedure, its depend on the service provider, most of our tickets will be issue at the station occasionally we may have to deliver to a hotel, the method will be base on the availability.
Q: What are the opening hours of railway station ticket counter?
A: Colombo fort main ticketing counter should be open 7 days a week and will open prior to the train depart , if your train is very early morning/late night departure, the ticket counter will be open to issue the tickets, if you are catching the train from Colombo there will always a counter to serve you prior to the departure. but there is counter 17 at fort station specially for Pre-booked tickets collection during peak hours.
Q: Where can I collect my tickets?
A: You can collect your tickets at any of major railway stations, including: Colombo fort, Gampaha, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nawalapitiya,Nanuoya, Ella, Badulla, Haputale, Bandarawela, Hatton, Galle, Wallawatte, Kalutara, Aluthgama, Polgahawela, Hikkaduwa, Matara, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Vauniya, Trincolamee, Galoya, Polonnaruwa,Valachchenai, Baticoalo, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala,
Q: Can I collect my tickets at the airport?
A: Sorry, tickets can only be collected at the any above mentioned stations. and if you used any third party printing point (Mobitel) you will be more likely to encounter problems and might loose your ticket completely and SLR will not reprint your tickets.
Q: Which counter at the station?
A: If you are collecting at Colombo fort station then go to the counter 17 ,unless otherwise Please go to the main ticket counter at station.
Q: Why do I have to enter the passport number?
A: Your passport will be used to secure your tickets therefore you will need it to collect your tickets
Q: I have entered wrong passport number, can I change it later stage?
A; No, you can not change it, as we will provide your details to railway company at the time completion and we don’t have facilities to change or railway will not accept any changes
Q: Can I change my travel date / time / train or cancel at all?
A: Sorry, no changes /cancellation possible,
Q: Can I select seats /side of the train?
A: Sorry we don’t have any facilities to select any particular seat/side and tickets will be issued according to availability by Sri Lanka railway at the time of the booking and seat numbers will be printed on your ticket.
Q: Why my ticket stated different time / destination than I originally booked for?
A: Some time your paper tickets will state time and destination as per train originally starting point to end point, but you are allowed to board and exit and any station between your destination, therefore please refer to the time and destination you have booked with us, eg if you book 08:47hrs train from Kandy to Ella, your original paper ticket may print as 05:55hrs (which the time this train setting off at the its origin (Colombo) and heading to Badulla , but this train will arrive Kandy at 08:47hrs and goes to Badulla via Ella.
In other words, ticket is valid from: A to D but you use from B to C
A = Colombo
B = Kandy or any other station, as per your booking
C = Ella, Nanuoya or any other station as per your booking
D = Badulla
Q: How do I find my carriage and seat (s),
A: please note that you must board in to correct carriage as per your tickets to find your allocated seat(s), please note that all our bookings come with reserved seating and seat number (s) will be printed on your ticket.
Finding correct carriage: Pls note if you wish? you can ask station staff about where stand for correct carriage, please refer to below picture for example ticket, you should have received one of them, your ticket should carry one of these abbreviation or Letter representing your carriage and number indicating your allocated seat(s).
FCR (first class reserved) , AFC (Air-conditioned first class) OFV (Observation wagon), SCR (Second class reserved)
TCR (third class reserved), Or Letter A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H (these letter represent 1st class to 3rd class reserved carriages depend on how may carriages attached to particular train,
Q:How do I find my seat(s)?
A: Next to the one of above abbreviations of which represent your carriage then you will see a number (pls refer to the number in the box of illustrate ticket below) so this will be your allocated seat(s).
Please note one of (below pictured) ticket can be carry up to 5 seats, if you book more than one tickets and have received only on of below paper (don’t be panic) just see how many seats listed on that ticket. As per below ticket, carriage is TCR Third class reserved and seat numbers are 33,34 and so on and valid for 4 passengers,
Q: How do I know which class I have booked?
A: The class you have booked should be stated on your payment receipt unless otherwise agreed.
Q: What are the differences between classes?
A : Observation class = Non AC, reserved only carriage with large window
1st class = Air Conditioned, reserved only carriage
2nd class= Non AC, reserved only carriage
3rd class = Non AC, reserved only carriage
Q: will I get reserved seat for my booking?
A: Yes, all our bookings comes with reserved seat including 3rd class carriage
Q: Do I have to pay for my Luggage?
A: No, You can carry regular traveling luggage but if your luggage is over size you may have to, please speak with railway staff on arrival
Q: Will there be enough space for my luggage?
A: there will be enough space for the regular traveling baggage’s but if your have over size goods/ luggage then you will have to speak with station staff to sort it out , you may be able to load in guards carriage for extra cost.
Q: Is there discount rate for children?
A: unfortunately no, these bookings are for the seats regardless age of passenger, therefore if you need separate seat for your child then you will need to book one, however children under 4 years old can travel free in they don’t requires separate seat.
Q: How far in advance I can book train tickets through Visit Sri Lanka tours?
A: you can send us your booking request at any time , the sales will only open just 30 days prior to the travel dates except 1126 -Nanuoya - Ellla and coastal train to /from Colombo - Matara, we will attempt to process your request as soon as they become available. Tickets must be booked a minimum of 2 days in advance of your desired travel dates. sending your request in advance does not guarantee your reservation but it will give better chance as we serve first come first serve basis,
Q:I still have my cancelled ticket with me, will that ticket be valid if the train resume its service? or I am on the train and with printed ticket but there is other passenger with same seat number on same carriage, what should I do?
A: For some season , your ticket has been cancelled / reissued therefore if you think you are the valid ticket holder , please contact the train guard / TC , he will be able to find valid ticket and allow you to continue your journey while other party will be issued with penalty notice and will disembark at the next stop.
Q: Can residence of any nation book train tickets with VSLT?
A: Yes. just enter your passport number which you will need to collet your paper ticket at the station . The ticket issuing service is available at the railway stations for the most of the booking but some occasion we have to deliver them to you.
Q: Can I print my tickets myself or get an e-ticket?
A: No. Only the official paper tickets are available and can be picked up at the station unless we have delivered them to your or otherwise advised.
Q : Can I pick up my tickets at the train station after purchasing online with VSLT?
A : Yes. Train tickets can be picked up at several railway stations as listed on FAQ. unless otherwise already delivered.
Q ; Can I have the tickets delivered to the hotel and have them signed for?
A: Yes. On extra cost, Please make sure there will be someone available to sign for your tickets on delivery.
Q ; What documents do I need to make the booking? Do I need to provide a copy of my passport?
A : You only need to input your full name as it appears on your passport and the number. unless otherwise you are booking for large group where we need a copy of main traveler passport/ proof of address etc.
Q ; How do I book round-trip tickets or multi-leg tickets?
A : You can only book one-way or single-leg tickets in each order. Tickets are limited to a maximum of five per order (must be for the same date, same train number and same seat type). A separate order should be made for tickets for different dates, train numbers or seat types. VSLT cannot guarantee ticket availability, nor cancel or modify tickets after issued. If changes or cancellation is required then please go to the refund window at the boarding station with ticket and valid ID (this should be the same as that used for booking). You will only receive partially refund minus, UK VAT, SL Tax, Mobitel Booking admin fee, Paypal/Credit card fee and international money transferring fee and VSLT booking fee.
Q ; If I book several tickets at a time, can I get seats next to each other?
A : Seat / tickets bought at the same time are usually next to each other. VSLT will try best to book adjacent seats on your behalf but cannot guarantee of success due to random ticket distribution, your seat allocation will be assigned by train company and we can not be help responsible if those are not together due to the availability.
Q : How can I pay for my ticket(s)?
A: We currently accept debit and credit cards, paypal, international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and American Express).
Q : How long after submitting my reservation will I know whether or not tickets are available?
A :Ticket availability for bookings made before 3:00 p.m. Will be confirmed before 5:30 p.m. on next two working days
Q : If there are no tickets available, will I get my money back?
A: Yes. If the ordered tickets are no longer available, VSLT will refund the full price paid (subject to confirmation). Refunds will be made using the same method as your initial payment. Refund payment date is subject to bank or credit card provider.
Q : What is the delivery process?
A : Email address details cannot be modified after tickets have been paid for and confirmed. Tickets confirmation will be sent to the email address provided as per payment/paypal / or by post
Q : How do I change or cancel my train ticket reservation?
A : VSLT cannot cancel or modify tickets after issue. If change or cancellation is required, please go to the refund window at the boarding station with ticket and valid ID (this should be the same as that used for booking). Change or cancellation at the boarding station will be made according to local railway authority ticket refund regulations.
Q: Are the train schedules accurate?
A : The information provided is for reference only. Please refer to data issued by local railway authority for most up-to-date information.
Q ; Can I book train tickets by calling VSLT customer service?
A ; Currently train tickets can only be booked on our website or app. But if you need further help please call us.
Q : Does successful payment mean I will definitely get my tickets?
A : We cannot guarantee ticket availability, but will try our best to purchase tickets for you. If the tickets are not available, we will refund your payment in full.
Q : Do I need to pay handling fees when picking up my ticket?
A :No handling fees will be charged. Your tickets will be printed free of charge
Q : Are the train schedules accurate?
A : The information provided is for reference only. Please refer to data issued by the local railway authority for most up-to-date information.
Q : Ticket fares
A : As we would expect from any Western country, Sri Lanka Train ticket fares, vary based on a few main factors (yield management) e.g. peak/off peak times, availability versus demand, carriage conditions, seating facilities, length of journey etc. That's why some first-class tickets cost £21 compared to £11 first class tickets on shabby, old carriages. In other words, new 3rd class reserved carriage tickets are more expensive than first-class tickets on old carriages on unpopular coastal routes.
Fares listed on our website are based on Sri Lankan railway fares and handling fees. Hope that we receive your booking request in time to secure your booking directly from railway company, ideally, 32 days prior to travel date, if your travel date is less than 30 days' time and there is no availability with railway company, we may search for your request from other third party agents and provide you with available classes/trains and fares to decide whether you wish to go ahead with new availability/fare, otherwise, we will refund you fully. Please consider given available options and fares before you decide as we cannot help you with any queries you may have after the booking has been completed.
Q : Can't find the information you are looking for?
A : Did we miss something? If you can't find the information you are looking for in our FAQ section, please help us improve this page by sending your query to [email@visitsrilankatours.co.uk].