Avoiding bus and tuktuk scams at Pettah market in Colombo
3 Answers from travellers
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Do not talk to anyone yelling outside the terminal. Walk straight into the Bastian Mawatha Private Bus Station and look for the luxury AC buses lined up at the back. Ask the driver physically sitting behind the steering wheel. The touts outside will lie and say the bus is broken to herd you into their overpriced private minivans.
Honestly, just take an Uber to Makumbura Multimodal Center instead. It bypasses the Pettah chaos entirely.
Also, do not take the tuk-tuks parked right at the station exit. They refuse to use meters.
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.
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