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Airport Transportation

Bandaranaike International Airport

También conocido como: Colombo Airport, CMB Airport, Katunayake Airport, Bandaranaike Airport, Colombo Bandaranaike Airport, Negombo Airport. Antes Katunayake International Airport.

CMB · VCBI · Katunayake

Datos del aeropuerto

Nombre
Bandaranaike International Airport
Código IATA
CMB
Código OACI
VCBI
Ciudad
Katunayake
País
Sri Lanka
Dirección
Bandaranaike International Airport, Canada Friendship Road, Katunayake 11450, Sri Lanka
Coordenadas
7.1808, 79.8841
Zona horaria
Asia/Colombo
Terminales
One international passenger terminal (Terminal 1) plus a separate domestic terminal for small domestic flights

Sobre Bandaranaike International Airport

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main international airport of Sri Lanka and the gateway to Colombo, the country's largest city. It stands at Katunayake, about 32 km (20 miles) north of central Colombo and a short drive from the beach town of Negombo. The Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (E03) links the airport with the city in about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, is based here and flies to India, the Maldives, the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan, London and Paris. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, IndiGo, Air India and Cathay Pacific also serve Colombo. The airport handled about 8.8 million passengers in 2024.

All international flights use the single passenger terminal, Terminal 1. Domestic flights, including Cinnamon Air's small planes to Sigiriya, Trincomalee and the south coast, use a separate domestic terminal. A second international terminal is planned but not yet built.

From the airport, many travelers head first to Negombo's hotels and beach, or south to Colombo's Fort, Kollupitiya and Mount Lavinia. Others set off on longer drives inland to Kandy, Sigiriya and Dambulla, or down the coast to Bentota and Galle.

Operador, pistas y tráfico del aeropuerto

Operator

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, owned by the Government of Sri Lanka

Opened to international flights

1967, when Air Ceylon began international services

Runway

One runway, 04/22, 3,350 m long

Passengers per year

About 8.8 million in 2024

Hub airline

SriLankan Airlines

Consejos de llegada a Bandaranaike International Airport

All international flights arrive at Terminal 1. Before you land, make sure you have Sri Lanka's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), applied for online at eta.gov.lk; most visitors need one, even those whose nationality pays no fee.

Your first stop is immigration, where officers check your passport and ETA and may ask for your onward ticket and accommodation address. Lines are longest late in the evening and early in the morning, when many long-haul flights land. On the way to baggage claim you pass the arrival duty-free shops. Collect your bags from the carousel shown on the monitors, using the free baggage carts, then walk through customs, taking the green channel if you have nothing to declare.

The arrivals hall beyond customs has bank counters for currency exchange, ATMs, and SIM card kiosks for Dialog, SLT-Mobitel and Airtel. The official airport taxi counter is in the arrivals hall, and app rides such as PickMe and Uber use a signposted pickup point outside. Pre-booked drivers wait for you as you leave the arrivals hall.

Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee and runs on Sri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+5:30) all year.

Transporte terrestre

A taxi, app ride or pre-booked car is the easiest choice with luggage; the expressway bus is the budget option to Colombo.

  • Airport taxi

    Book an official airport taxi at the counter in the arrivals hall, where fares are set by vehicle type and destination. Taxis go door to door to Negombo, Colombo and anywhere on the island, and are the simplest choice late at night.

  • PickMe and Uber

    Both ride-hailing apps work at the airport, with a signposted pickup point outside arrivals. You need mobile data to book, so buy a local SIM or set up an eSIM first.

  • Expressway bus to Colombo

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

  • Train from Katunayake

    Katunayake railway station near the airport has a few slow local trains a day toward Negombo and Colombo Fort. The dedicated Airport Express train no longer runs, so most travelers use the road.

  • Car rental with or without driver

    Car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall, and many offer a car with a driver. Sri Lanka drives on the left, and visitors who drive themselves need a temporary Sri Lankan driving permit as well as their license.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you as you leave arrivals and drives you to your hotel in Negombo or Colombo, or on a longer journey to Kandy, Sigiriya or the south coast, useful for families and late-night arrivals.

Compara proveedores para tu dirección exacta

Escribe tu hotel para ver el precio y todos los proveedores que llegan hasta allí.

Reserva un traslado desde CMB

Terminales

Terminal 1

The international terminal, used by every international flight. A renovation to raise its capacity and a new Terminal 2 are planned.

Domestic terminal

A small separate terminal for domestic flights, including Cinnamon Air's services to regional airports and water landings around Sri Lanka.

Aerolíneas y destinos

Aeroflot T1

Moscow Sheremetyevo (seasonal)

Air Arabia T1

Sharjah

Guía de la aerolínea

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi T1

Abu Dhabi

Air Astana T1

Almaty (seasonal)

Air China T1

Chengdu Tianfu

Guía de la aerolínea

Air India T1

Delhi, Mumbai

Guía de la aerolínea

Air Seychelles T1

Mahé

AirAsia T1

Kuala Lumpur

Guía de la aerolínea

Batik Air Malaysia T1

Kuala Lumpur

Beijing Capital Airlines T1

Beijing Daxing

British Airways T1

London Gatwick (seasonal, from 23 October 2026)

Guía de la aerolínea

Cathay Pacific T1

Hong Kong

Guía de la aerolínea

China Eastern Airlines T1

Kunming, Shanghai Pudong

Guía de la aerolínea

Chongqing Airlines T1

Chongqing, Malé

Cinnamon Air Domestic terminal

Batticaloa, Castlereagh, Hambantota, Koggala, Sigiriya, Trincomalee

Edelweiss Air T1

Zurich (seasonal)

Guía de la aerolínea

Emirates T1

Dubai, Malé

Guía de la aerolínea

Etihad Airways T1

Abu Dhabi

Guía de la aerolínea

FitsAir T1

Ahmedabad, Dhaka, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Malé

flydubai T1

Dubai, Malé

Guía de la aerolínea

French Bee T1

Paris Orly (from 19 December 2026), Malé (seasonal)

Gulf Air T1

Bahrain, Malé

Guía de la aerolínea

IndiGo T1

Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai

Guía de la aerolínea

Jazeera Airways T1

Kuwait City

Guía de la aerolínea

Jetstar T1

Melbourne

Guía de la aerolínea

Kuwait Airways T1

Kuwait City

Guía de la aerolínea

Malaysia Airlines T1

Kuala Lumpur

Guía de la aerolínea

Qatar Airways T1

Doha

Guía de la aerolínea

S7 Airlines T1

Novosibirsk (from 20 December 2026)

SalamAir T1

Muscat

Guía de la aerolínea

Singapore Airlines T1

Singapore

Guía de la aerolínea

SriLankan Airlines T1

Bangkok, Chennai, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Malé, Melbourne, Mumbai, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo Narita and more

Guía de la aerolínea

Thai AirAsia T1

Bangkok Don Mueang

Guía de la aerolínea

Thai Airways T1

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

Guía de la aerolínea

Turkish Airlines T1

Istanbul

Guía de la aerolínea

VietJet Air T1

Ho Chi Minh City, Malé (from 5 December 2026)

Guía de la aerolínea

Vietnam Airlines T1

Ho Chi Minh City

Guía de la aerolínea

Servicios e instalaciones

  • Currency exchange

    Branches of several Sri Lankan banks have exchange counters in the arrivals and departures halls.

  • ATMs

    Cash machines are in the arrivals hall, just after customs.

  • SIM cards

    Dialog, SLT-Mobitel and Airtel kiosks in the arrivals hall sell tourist SIM cards and data packs.

  • Arrival duty free

    Arriving passengers can shop at duty-free stores on the way to baggage claim, as well as in the departures area.

  • Tourist information

    Information desks are in arrivals and departures, with a tourist information counter in the arrivals hall.

  • First aid and health office

    A first aid room staffed by nurses is in the arrivals immigration area, and the airport health office is open 24 hours.

  • Car rental

    Car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall, with self-drive cars and cars with a driver.

  • Post office

    A post office is located on the arrivals side of the terminal.

Salas VIP del aeropuerto

  • Serendib Lounge

    SriLankan Airlines' lounge for its business class passengers and eligible frequent flyers.

  • Executive Lounge

    A paid lounge for departing passengers, open to pay-per-use guests.

  • Silk Route lounges

    Paid lounges with separate arrival and departure sections, including a lounge for passengers who have just landed.

  • Gold Route lounges

    Paid arrival and departure lounges, useful for a rest after a long flight or before departure.

  • Lotus and Araliya lounges

    Privilege lounges for invited and protocol passengers.

Accesibilidad y asistencia al pasajero

  • Requesting assistance

    Ask your airline for wheelchair or other assistance when you book and confirm it before you fly; ground staff then meet you at the aircraft or check-in.

  • Reduced mobility

    Wheelchair assistance is available through the terminal for passengers with reduced mobility and those traveling for medical reasons.

  • Medical support

    A first aid room staffed by nurses is near arrivals immigration, and the airport health office is open 24 hours.

Estacionamiento

The airport has parking lots beside and near the terminal.

Terminal parking lot

Short-term parking next to the terminal, used by cars meeting arriving passengers.

Remote parking lot

A long-term parking lot about 300 m from the terminal.

No unattended cars at arrivals

Since May 2024, vehicles without a driver may not be parked at the arrivals area; drivers must stay with their vehicle or use a parking lot.

Preguntas frecuentes

How far is Colombo airport from Colombo city center?

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.

How far is Colombo airport from Negombo?

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.

Is Colombo airport the same as Bandaranaike or Katunayake airport?

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.

How many terminals does Colombo airport have?

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.

Do I need a visa to enter Sri Lanka at Colombo airport?

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.

What happens when I land at Colombo airport?

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.

How long does immigration take at Colombo airport?

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.

Is there a bus from Colombo airport to the city?

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.

Can I use PickMe or Uber at Colombo airport?

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.

Is there a train from Colombo airport?

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.

Can I buy a SIM card and change money at Colombo airport?

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.

Are there lounges at Colombo airport?

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.

What time zone is Colombo airport in?

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.

¿Por qué reservar con Airport Transportation?

Ofrecemos transporte privado desde cualquier aeropuerto hasta cualquier hotel al mejor precio, y contamos con licencia y cobertura de responsabilidad total.

¿El transporte es privado o compartido?

Airport Transportation ofrece únicamente transporte privado: en vans, SUV de lujo o minibuses.

¿Los precios son por persona o por vehículo?

Los precios de nuestro sitio web son por vehículo, no por persona, según un rango de pasajeros.

¿Cuántas personas caben en una van?

Las vans normales llevan hasta 9 pasajeros, los minibuses hasta 16 y los SUV de lujo hasta 6 pasajeros.

¿Cómo los encuentro en el aeropuerto?

Sal por completo del aeropuerto. Verás a representantes con carteles: busca el logotipo de Airport Transportation o tu nombre.

¿Qué tipo de vehículos utilizan?

Habitualmente Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe y Chevrolet Suburban.

¿Cuentan con seguro?

Sí: contamos con un seguro de responsabilidad total para todos los pasajeros mientras usan nuestros servicios.

¿Ofrecen sillas para bebé?

Las sillas para bebé se proporcionan con aviso previo, sujetas a disponibilidad, con un máximo de una silla por vehículo.

¿Con cuánta antelación debo reservar?

Puedes reservar con cualquier antelación; sugerimos entre una semana y un día antes. También hay reservas para el mismo día.

¿Qué métodos de pago se aceptan?

PayPal es nuestro método de pago principal; también hay una opción de pago en efectivo al reservar por nuestro sitio web. Las tarjetas de crédito se aceptan a través de PayPal.

¿Los vehículos tienen aire acondicionado?

Sí: para tu comodidad, todas nuestras unidades cuentan con aire acondicionado.

¿Qué pasa si mi vuelo se retrasa?

Durante la reserva te pedimos tu aerolínea y número de vuelo para poder rastrear los retrasos y esperarte.

¿Puedo hacer paradas durante el trayecto?

Sí, puedes añadir una parada adicional a tu servicio durante el proceso de reserva.

¿Los niños pagan distinto que los adultos?

No: los precios se fijan por rango de pasajeros o por vehículo, no por edad.

¿Mi reserva es reembolsable?

Sí. Cancela sin coste hasta 24 horas antes de tu recogida y se te reembolsa el importe completo. Las cancelaciones con menos de 24 horas de antelación no son reembolsables.

¿Los conductores hablan inglés?

Sí: aunque su inglés puede no ser de nivel nativo, los conductores tienen la capacidad de comunicarse con los pasajeros.

¿Las propinas son obligatorias?

Las propinas no son obligatorias, pero sí muy recomendables; los conductores las ganan gracias a la calidad de su servicio.

¿Qué monedas se aceptan?

Todos los precios están en USD. A través de PayPal puedes pagar en casi cualquier moneda; los pagos en efectivo se aceptan solo en USD.

¿Se permiten mascotas?

Podemos transportar mascotas domésticas dentro de transportines que quepan en un vehículo normal.

¿Hay espacio para el equipaje?

Sí: hay espacio de sobra para una maleta y un equipaje de mano por persona.

¿Qué incluye el precio?

Todo traslado privado incluye un conductor profesional con licencia; un vehículo asegurado y en buen estado; seguimiento del vuelo en tiempo real; servicio de recepción a la llegada; y servicio puerta a puerta sin cargos ocultos añadidos después de reservar. Tu precio fijo cubre la ruta completa hasta tu destino.

Reserva un traslado desde CMB