Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 | The "Spirited Away" Coastal Train

1. Many travelers rave about Sri Lanka’s tea plantation trains, calling them more scenic—but here’s the truth: with a 5-day, 4-night itinerary, reaching those tea trains is nearly impossible. They’re miles away, and you’d have to skip every other sight to make the trip. The coastal train, though? It’s the real star. Said to be the inspiration for the train in *Spirited Away*, it’s right in Colombo, the capital—easy to reach anytime, no detours needed. 🚂🌊 2. Our original plan was to ride it at sunset, thanks to our driver’s suggestion, but we ended up 30 minutes late. Turns out, it didn’t matter. The sunset lingered, painting the sky in pinks and oranges that stretched for ages, and the delay only let us catch the best of it—golden light on the waves, the train gliding along the shore. If you miss your first chance, don’t worry: trains run regularly, so you can always hop on the next one. 🌇⏳ 3. We boarded at the station in the second photo, and the ride itself was just 15 minutes—short, but sweet. It happened to be rush hour, though, so the train was packed with locals heading home. This wasn’t a tourist train; it’s their daily commute. Yet they didn’t mind us snapping photos or leaning out the windows—if anything, they seemed amused, grinning as we fumbled with our cameras. I was too shy to meet their eyes, but every time our glances did meet, they’d flash a warm smile. It felt like sharing a little joy, even without words. 😊👥 4. Here’s the quirky part: there are no conductors. No one checks tickets, no one announces stops—you’re on your own. Before the train arrives, people wander across the tracks like it’s a sidewalk, kids chasing each other, vendors selling snacks. Getting off? You have to remember your station. We got so caught up in taking photos of the sunset that we almost missed ours—by the time we realized, the train was already moving. We jumped off in a fluster, bags flying, but the locals just laughed and waved. It was chaotic, but kind of perfect. 🚉🤪 5. This train isn’t about grand views or long journeys. It’s about small, unplanned moments: the salt breeze in your hair, a stranger’s smile, the panic of jumping off at the right stop. It’s why it feels like a *Spirited Away* scene—not because it’s magical, but because it’s real, messy, and full of heart. Even if you only have an hour in Colombo, it’s worth it. Just set a timer for your stop, and let the train carry you for a bit. 🥰 #CoastalTrainSriLanka #SpiritedAwayInspiration #ColomboRide #SriLankaTravel #TrainAdventures