If you’re visiting the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, Sri Lanka you’re likely looking up the best way to get there. I read a number of blogs on how to get to the Nine Arch Bridge and, to be honest, found them to be very confusing. As a result of being confused I ended up following the advice of one to get a tuktuk to the start of the path, thinking that this was necessary and the easiest option because I wasn’t sure how else to walk there. It really wasn’t. The tuktuk was only a 4 minute journey and cut off about 15 minutes of what ended up being just an additional 15 minute walk (would’ve otherwise been 30 minutes walk in total) and it also cut off the easiest walking bit. Unless you have mobility issues or can’t do the walk and therefore need a tuktuk to take you all the actual bridge, you don’t need to take a tuktuk to get to the start of the Nine Arch Bridge walking trail.
Suggested read: The best photo spots at Nine Arch Bridge in Sri Lanka.
Different tuktuk options to get to Nine Arch Bridge
You can get a tuktuk to the Nine Arch Bridge or you can get a tuktuk to the Nine Arch Bridge walking trail starting point. If you get it all the way to the Nine Arch Bridge expect to pay 1,000-1,500 LKR ($5AUD-$7.50AUD or £2.60-£3.90). If you don’t want to do any walking to get to Nine Arch Bridge, choose this option but I wouldn’t settle for anything over 1,000 LKR.
If you get a tuktuk to the start of the walk to Nine Arch Bridge (not the actual bridge itself but the track to get there) expect to pay about 300 LKR (1.50AUD or £0.80). While this seems very cheap, it really is a waste of money. I only did it because another blog said it was the easiest way to get there but if you’re going to walk any section of the trail to get the Nine Arch Bridge anyway you really don’t need to cut off this first part of the journey. Here’s why:
A tuktuk to the start of the Nine Arch Bridge walking track
The tuktuk driver will drop you off at the entrance to the Nine Arch Bridge walk. You can find its exact location on Google Maps labelled Nine Arches Bridge Path (or Google Maps location here). This is signed so you know you have arrived.
However, as you can see from Google Maps here the start of the walking trail is only a 15 minute walk from the centre of Ella. It is also an easy walk on sealed roads with lots of space. The walking trail itself only takes about 15 minutes to get from this start point here to Nine Arch Bridge. However, the walking trail is very much a forest trail. If you’re happy to walk to the Nine Arch Bridge on the walking trail there is literally no need to take a tuktuk to the start of the Nine Arch Bridge walking trail from the centre of Ella as firstly it doesn’t really cut out much of your journey and secondly all you’re cutting out is the easiest walking part anyway.
Suggested read: Two ways to walk to Nine Arch Bridge from Ella
Walking from Ella to Nine Arch Bridge: Forest Walking Trail
Whether you arrive at the Nine Arch Bridge walking trail start point via tuktuk or by foot, once you’re on the trail it is very easy to get to Nine Arch Bridge. Just follow the main path through the forest and in about 15 minutes you’ll arrive at the Nine Arch Bridge.
I also found the forest walking trail from Ella to Nine Arch Bridge to be very beautiful, especially first thing in the morning when the golden light was shining through.
You can find out more about this trail: Two ways to walk to Nine Arch Bridge from Ella.
Walking from Ella to Nine Arch Bridge: The Train Track Way
If you want to cut out all of the above, you can also reach Nine Arch Bridge by heading to the Ella train station. This train station is basically within the centre of Ella so you, again, don’t need to get a tuktuk to get here. You can find Ella Railway Station on Google Maps here. If you are looking at the train tracks from the entrance you want to head to your right and head down the tracks until you reach the Nine Arch Bridge.
You will first reach the Ella Tunnel and that signifies you arriving at the Nine Arch Bridge. This tunnel is very short but be sure to keep an eye (and ear) out for any trains that might approach before you walk through.
The Ella to Nine Arch Bridge walking on the train track way takes about 30 minutes. Please be very careful for trains coming through (especially as there are more trains than what you may know about). While there are signs at the Ella Railway Station saying to keep off the tracks but there are also cafes along the tracks for the people walking the train tracks between Ella and Nine Arch Bridge so take that as you will. I walked to Nine Arch Bridge from Ella via the forest walking trail mentioned above and I walked back to Ella from Nine Arch Bridge via the train track way. I would recommend the forest walking trail over the train tracks as it’s safer but also not as exposed to the sun (which, for the majority of the train track walk, was quite strong).
You can find out more about this trail: Two ways to walk to Nine Arch Bridge from Ella.
A tuktuk all the way to the Nine Arch Bridge
Although I didn’t do it, you can reach the Nine Arch Bridge via tuktuk. If you are going to get a tuktuk to the Nine Arch Bridge and happier with the higher price (as mentioned above expect to pay 1,000-1,500 LKR which is $5AUD-$7.50AUD or £2.60-£3.90) then you should do it all the way. Although another blog said that this was too expensive and a rip off I think it would have been better value than paying the 300 LKR I did to be dropped off at the start of the walking trail just down the road from the centre of Ella. Both walking options (the forest walking trail and the train track way) are enjoyable although I would choose the forest walking trail over the train track way. If you are confident on your feet and like a walk don’t be worried about doing either.
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