Avoiding bus and transit scams in Colombo Pettah
3 Answers from travellers
100% a classic Colombo scam. The public CTB buses are almost never completely broken down. The street touts stand at the entrances and lie to tourists to herd them into overpriced private minivans or extort high tuk-tuk fares. Ignore them completely, walk right past them into the terminal, and ask a bus conductor in uniform.
They actually grabbed my backpack to force me to walk with them. Keep your bags tight for safety!
Take an Uber to Makumbura Multimodal Center instead. Zero scammers there and very safe.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
You must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to AnswerRelated questions
- Tuktuk meter scams outside Colombo Fort railway station3 answers
- Avoiding tuktuk meter scams at Pettah bus stand in Colombo4 answers
- Are overnight night buses in Sri Lanka safe and comfortable? Tips for long-distance bus travel?2 answers
- Bus safety and scams in Pettah8 answers
- Avoiding Pettah bus station tuktuk scams in Colombo4 answers
- Avoiding tuktuk mafia scams outside Colombo Pettah bus station5 answers
Join a Crew
Kandy Perahera Live Tonight
Perahera Seats, Hotels & Roads
Dalada & Perahera Culture