3 Answers from travellers
Yes you absolutely can and must book online well in advance if you want guaranteed balcony seats. The official Temple of the Tooth website usually launches a highly secure dedicated ticket portal a few months before the August festival.
Many highly reputable local travel agencies and major hotels located directly on the parade route also sell reserved seating packages online but they charge a significant premium markup for the convenience.
Be incredibly wary of random third party websites offering heavily discounted tickets. Ticket counterfeiting is a massive issue. Stick strictly to the official temple site or highly reviewed established tour operators to avoid getting scammed at the gate.
Scam Watch: kandy
TukTuk or tour drivers take you to "gem museums" or "government-certified" gem shops. They receive huge commissions (up to 40%) on anything you buy. Prices are inflated 3-10x the actual value.
Men approach tourists near Temple of the Tooth offering to be guides. After the tour, they demand large "donations" or guide fees (5000-10000 LKR).
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