Avoiding Pettah bus stand tuktuk scams and touts

Asked about 2 months agoSeen by 1,895 travellers24 found this helpful
M
Mia S.8485 rep2
asked about 2 months ago

How do I avoid the aggressive tuktuk drivers and touts outside the Pettah bus stand in Colombo. They keep lying about the bus schedules.

24
asked about 2 months ago
M
Mia S.8485 rep2

7 Answers from travellers

Accepted Answer

This is a huge scam zone. The touts outside wear fake lanyards and tell you the government buses are broken down to herd you into their expensive private vans or tuktuks. Do not make eye contact. Walk directly into the Bastian Mawatha or Central Bus Stand and only ask a driver physically sitting inside a parked bus.

29
answered about 2 months ago
A
Amali D.9140 rep2

If you need a tuktuk away from Pettah, order a PickMe. Do not negotiate with the guys parked there.

42
answered about 2 months ago
K
Kamal P.14435 rep2

They actually grabbed my backpack. I had to yank it back.

40
answered about 2 months ago
M
Mia S.8485 rep2

Or take an Uber straight to Makumbura Multimodal Center to catch luxury buses safely.

28
answered about 2 months ago
K
Kamal P.14435 rep2

Yell NO very loudly if they touch your bags. The police are nearby and the touts will scatter.

27
answered about 2 months ago
A
Amali D.9140 rep2

Take the train instead if you can! Fort Station is much less chaotic than Pettah.

12
answered about 2 months ago
E
Ethan J.9495 rep2

I just put my headphones in and pretend I cannot hear them. Works every time.

6
answered about 2 months ago
E
Ethan J.9495 rep2

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