Srilanka-Taxi-rickshaws-tuktuk
The lines of motorized rickshaws (Tuk-tuks) which occupy the streets of every city, town and village are one of Sri Lanka’s most typical sights. Known by various names – tuk-tuks, three-wheelers, trishaws or “taxis” .They are the primary means of travelling short distances in Sri Lanka, principally short journeys within towns, although they can also be useful for trips and can even, at a pinch, be handy for long journeys if you get stranded or can’t be bothered to wait around for a bus.
It’s impossible to walk far in Sri Lanka without being solicited for custom by the owner of one of these vehicles. If you do need a ride, tuktuks are extremely convenient and can even be fun, as they weave through the traffic, often at surprising speeds. In addition, the sheer number around means that you always have the upper hand in bargaining.
If you can’t agree a decent fare, there’ll always be another driver keen to take your custom. Tuktuks do have their drawbacks, however. They’re not particularly comfortable for long journeys, and you can’t see much. There are Metered tuktuks and non metered ones too. A Metered tuktuk basically charge Rs.50 for the 1st KM and Rs 35.0 for every additional KM. For non metered tuktuks; the fare will be whatever you can negotiate with the driver. Never set off without agreeing the fare beforehand, or you run the risk of laying yourself open to all sorts of trickery.
The majority of Sri Lanka’s tuktuk drivers are more or less honest, and you’ll often be offered a decent fare without even having to bargain. However, there are few complete crooks who will simply try to overcharge you or, at worst, set you up for some kind of scam . it’s often difficult to know exactly where you stand. A basic fare of Rs.50 per kilometer serves as a slightly useful general rule of thumb, though you might find yourself paying more than this in Colombo, Kandy, Negombo and other heavily touristed areas, and less in more rural areas . Also keep in mind that the longer the journey, the lower the per-kilometre rate should be. Finally, beware of tuktuk drivers who claim to have no change .This can even apply when trying to pay, say, for a Rs.70 fare with a Rs.100 note, with the driver claiming to have only Rs.10 or Rs.20 change, and hoping that you’ll settle for a few rupees less. If you don’t have change, check that the driver does before you set off. If you make the position clear from the outset, you’re guaranteed that your driver will go through the annoyance of getting change for you rather than risk losing your fare.
Disclaimer: The fares mentioned in this article are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please verify current prices with the respective service providers before making any bookings.
