Pettah bus station tuktuk scams and safety in Colombo

Asked about 2 months agoSeen by 3,006 travellers23 found this helpful
E
Ethan J.6075 rep2
asked about 2 months ago

We just arrived in Colombo and the guys outside the Pettah bus terminal are saying the buses are broken down Is this a scam to get us into their tuktuks

23
asked about 2 months ago
E
Ethan J.6075 rep2

5 Answers from travellers

Accepted Answer

100% a classic Colombo scam. The public CTB buses are almost never completely broken down. The street touts stand at the entrances and lie to tourists to herd them into overpriced private minivans or extort high tuk-tuk fares. Ignore them completely, walk right past them into the terminal, and ask a bus conductor in uniform.

4
answered about 2 months ago
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Kamal P.7315 rep2

For anyone reading this, take an Uber to Makumbura Multimodal Center instead. Zero scammers there.

36
answered about 2 months ago
K
Kamal P.7315 rep2

We walked inside and the bus was literally waiting there running. Unbelievable.

30
answered about 2 months ago
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Ethan J.6075 rep2

They actually grabbed my backpack to force me to walk with them. Keep your bags tight!

13
answered about 2 months ago
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Mia S.5950 rep2

If they physically block you, shout Police loudly. The tourist police post is right next door.

4
answered about 2 months ago
A
Amali D.5270 rep2

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