Bandaranaike International Airport

Bandaranaike International Airport is about 32 km (20 miles) north of central Colombo, at Katunayake. The Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (E03) links them, and the drive to Colombo Fort usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, longer at rush hour or when traffic backs up at the city end of the expressway.

Negombo is the closest town to the airport, about 10 km (6 miles) to the north. Most hotels along Negombo's beach road are a 20 to 30 minute drive away, which is why many travelers spend their first or last night there rather than in Colombo.

Yes. Bandaranaike International Airport, code CMB, is Sri Lanka's main international airport and is usually called Colombo Airport. It stands in Katunayake, so locals often call it Katunayake Airport, and it was officially named Katunayake International Airport between 1977 and 1995. It is named after former prime minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.

All international flights use one passenger terminal, Terminal 1, so there is no terminal to choose on arrival. A small separate domestic terminal serves Cinnamon Air's flights around Sri Lanka. A second international terminal is planned but has not been built, and Terminal 1 is being renovated to add capacity.

Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), applied for online at eta.gov.lk before travel. Nationals of 40 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and much of Europe, get a free tourist ETA but must still apply. An ETA can also be obtained on arrival, but the line is slower. Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles nationals are exempt.

You go through immigration first, where officers check your passport and ETA. On the way to baggage claim you pass the arrival duty-free shops. After collecting your bags, walk through customs, using the green channel if you have nothing to declare, into the arrivals hall with banks, ATMs, SIM kiosks and the taxi counter.

Immigration can take anywhere from a few minutes to about an hour, depending on how many flights land together. Lines are usually longest late in the evening and in the early morning, when many long-haul flights arrive. Having your passport, ETA approval, onward ticket and hotel address ready speeds things up.

Yes. Air-conditioned bus 187 runs via the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway to Colombo Fort, and other expressway buses go to the Makumbura Multimodal Center at Kottawa. They are the cheapest way into Colombo, but they leave from a bus stand away from the terminal, so they suit travelers with light luggage.

Yes. Both PickMe, Sri Lanka's local ride-hailing app, and Uber operate at the airport, with a signposted pickup point outside arrivals. You need mobile data to book, so buy a local SIM card from one of the kiosks in the arrivals hall or set up an eSIM before you land.

Only a limited one. Katunayake railway station near the airport has a few slow local trains a day toward Negombo and Colombo Fort, but the dedicated Airport Express train no longer runs. Most travelers use a taxi, app ride, bus or pre-booked car instead.

Yes. Dialog, SLT-Mobitel and Airtel have kiosks in the arrivals hall selling tourist SIM cards with data. Branches of several Sri Lankan banks exchange US dollars, euros and pounds at counters in the arrivals hall, and ATMs there accept most foreign cards. Keep your receipt and count your cash at the counter.

Yes. SriLankan Airlines runs the Serendib Lounge for its business class passengers and eligible frequent flyers. Paid lounges include the Executive Lounge and the Silk Route and Gold Route lounges, which have arrival as well as departure sections, so you can rest or freshen up after a long flight.

Colombo airport is on Sri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+5:30), the same offset as India. There is no daylight saving time, so the clock stays the same all year. Flight times on your ticket are always shown in local time, so check them against your hotel check-in and any onward connections.

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.