You can easily board a train to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo, Ella and Kandy. There is something to be said about reaching Nuwara Eliya by train. It will definitely be one of the most beautiful train rides of your lifetime. You can reach Nuwara Eliya via train from Colombo within 6 hours and 20 minutes. The second-class train ticket cost about 2 USD. You can reach Nuwara Eliya from Kandy by train within 3 and half hours. A second-class ticket from Kandy costs just about 1 USD. The breathtaking ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya usually takes about 2 and a half hours. It will cost you less than 1 USD. The nearest station to most resorts in Nuwara Eliya is the Nanu Oya station. If you catch a tuk-tuk at the station, you can reach the city centre within 20 minutes. There are plenty of tuk-tuks near the station. But, if you are going to catch a bus, walk about 50 meters from the station towards the bus stop. A ticket to the city is about 0.10 USD.
It is always a good idea to reserve your seat early to avoid having to stand in the train all the way to Nuwara Eliya on busy days.