Boarding the Ella train from Nanu Oya instead of Kandy.

Boarding the train at Nanu Oya Nuwara Eliya is a brilliant strategy if you do not have a reserved ticket. Many tourists specifically book the Kandy to Nanu Oya segment and disembark there, which means a large number of second class seats suddenly become completely empty and available for you to grab for the incredibly scenic final leg down to Ella.