Can I rely on Uber or PickMe in Ella and Sigiriya? Or do I need a private driver?
I use Uber everywhere in Colombo and it's great. I'm heading to Sigiriya, Kandy, and Ella next week.
Can I continue using the apps to get around there? Or does the coverage disappear in the hill country? I don't want to be stranded at a rock fortress with no ride home.
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1 Answer from travellers
This is a common mistake travelers make. The apps work differently depending on the region.
Kandy: Apps work well here, both for Tuk-Tuks and Cars.
Ella/Sigiriya/Mirissa: The coverage drops significantly. You might find a Tuk-Tuk on the app, but finding a car (Uber/PickMe) is very difficult.
The "Tuk-Tuk Mafia": In places like Ella and parts of the South Coast, local tuk-tuk drivers sometimes ban/harass app drivers because the app prices are too low. You will often see "No PickMe/Uber" signs.
Strategy: In rural tourist towns (Ella, Sigiriya), use the app to check the approximate fair price, then hail a local tuk-tuk on the street and negotiate to that price (or slightly higher). Do not rely on the app to catch a ride to the airport from Ella, book a proper taxi in advance!
Scam Watch: ella
People outside stations offer to "help" buy tickets but charge large markups. They may buy cheap third-class tickets and sell as more expensive classes.
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