Reserving trains and bus tickets to Kandy to avoid scams
4 Answers from travellers
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Many third-party sites charge a massive markup, sometimes 300 percent of the actual ticket price. To avoid getting ripped off, only book train tickets through the official Sri Lanka Railways website (seatreservation.railway.gov.lk). For luxury highway buses to Kandy, you usually do not need to pre-book; just show up at the Makumbura Multimodal Center and pay the conductor directly.
Also, if someone at the Colombo Fort station offers to help you use the ticket machine, they will demand a tip. Do it yourself.
I used a third party site once and they sent me a fake QR code. Stick to the official government site or go to the station physically.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
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