Buying Kandy to Ella train tickets from touts outside the station

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E
Emma L.7110 rep2

The Kandy to Ella train was sold out online. A guy outside the Kandy station offered to sell us 2nd class reserved seats for a huge markup. Is this a scam.

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4 Answers from travellers

Accepted Answer

Do not buy them. This is a scam. To stop scalpers, Sri Lanka Railways now prints the passengers ID or passport number on reserved tickets. If the ticket inspector on the train checks the ticket and it does not match your passport, you will be heavily fined and kicked out of the reserved carriage. Just buy an unreserved 3rd class ticket at the counter for 200 LKR.

48
B
Bhante S.28240 rep1

We will just brave the unreserved carriage. Standing for a bit is fine.

47
E
Emma L.7110 rep2

Half the time the tickets they sell you are forged anyway. Do not trust them.

35
N
Noah D.25260 rep2

If you cannot get a reserved seat, take a bus to Nuwara Eliya instead, then take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella. It breaks up the trip.

31
D
Dr. Nimal.8560 rep1

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