You don't need to spend heavily embarking on the most scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella. If you want to travel in the first-class compartment, it will cost you around 1500 rupees. However, it is advised to book first-class tickets way before your exact date of travel.
Most of the time, the first-class tickets for Ella get sold out too soon. The second class ticket is priced at INR 230. If you are running low on budget, you can opt for the third class compartment which is priced at INR 125.