Sri Lanka's main international airport, Bandaranaike, is located 35 km from Colombo. There are several options to get from the airport to Colombo or back - from the city to the airport. Each option has its own pros and cons, and its own price. Some will prefer the economy option of taking a bus, while others will prefer a comfortable taxi ride.
From this article you will learn:
1 | A budget option to get from the airport to Colombo is by bus
During the daytime, the so-called “express bus” number 187-E3 runs between the airport and the Colombo central bus station.
Airport - Colombo Express Bus Schedule: every 30 minutes, from 5:30 am to 20:30 pm (times are approximate, as there is no clear schedule). The last bus from the airport leaves at approximately 20:30; I took the last bus from Colombo towards the airport at 18:00.
Express bus from Colombo to airport Bus fare- 120 rupees (~$0.85).
Duration of the bus ride- 1 hour. But if the bus is not full, the driver may make several stops to pick up passengers. My personal experience of traveling on this bus showed that the road from Colombo to the airport can take up to 2.5 hours (and it’s good that I was not late for the plane).
Comfort level on the Airport - Colombo bus: all the way, heart-warming clips are shown on TV, the air conditioning is on maximum (take something to wear so as not to freeze). While the bus was at the station, sellers of traditional delicacies walked around the cabin.
How to find the Airport - Colombo bus stop:
- At the airport, the bus stop is located 50 meters to the left of the arrivals area. You need to leave the arrivals area and walk along the building to the left. From the corner of the building you should already be able to see buses parked slightly ahead and to the right (the coordinates of the bus stop on the map are 7.174812, 79.888673).
- from Colombo the bus departs from the central bus station in the Pettah area (Colombo Central Bus Stand), which is located near the Colombo fort railway station (bus station coordinates on the map - 6.934858, 79.854641).
Things to know before your trip by bus from the airport to Colombo or back: A government bus with the inscription SLTB (Sri Lankan Transport Board) on the windshield operates only during the day. At night, you can get from the airport to Colombo by private buses or minibuses numbered 187 or 187-E3, which are usually parked at the airport a little further than the state bus. If you are traveling from Colombo to the airport, private buses can be found opposite the central bus station at Bastian Mawatha Bus station.
2 | Taxi at the airport (upon arrival)
Where to get a taxi at the airport: There is a taxi counter in the arrivals hall with official fixed prices for taxis to Colombo and other cities in Sri Lanka. If there is a line at the counter, feel free to go outside. There is another window for ordering a taxi (their prices are exactly the same).
Taxi counter at Colombo International Airport Personal experience showed that the taxi car may be very shabby. It’s hard to call it comfortable to drive on low, loose seats without headrests, in a car that is long overdue for a wash and a bunch of stinking trash thrown out.
Taxi fare depends on where exactly you need to go in Colombo. The trip "Airport - Colombo Fort" costs 2650 rupees (~$18). An additional fee for travel on the expressway is 300 rupees (~$2).
3 | Individual transfer from the airport to the hotel
A transfer (pre-booked taxi from the airport to the hotel) will cost only a little more than a classic taxi at the airport. However, the transfer has several significant advantages:
- you choose and order a car of a certain brand and size in accordance with your preferences;
- you are met at the airport with a sign and helped with your luggage - there is no need to look for a taxi stand or stand in line waiting for a car;
- the driver thinks through the route in advance and knows which hotel to take you to, and does not ask passers-by how to get there (I personally encountered this).
Transfer cost from Bandaranaike Airport to a hotel in Colombo: from $21 per car.
You can book a comfortable taxi from the airport to your hotel on the website.
4 | From the airport to Colombo by train
You can also travel from Bandaranaike Airport to Colombo by train. But this is not the easiest way, since there are a number of nuances.
The nearest train station is 3 km from the airport. Therefore, you still need to get there or get there. To get to the station, the cheapest way is to use a tuk-tuk. But since tuk-tuks are prohibited from entering the airport, you yourself need to go out to them. A 3 km tuk-tuk ride to Katunayake Railway Station will cost 150 - 300 rupees (you need to negotiate the price before getting into the tuk-tuk and be sure to bargain).
There are about 10 trains heading towards Colombo during the day (the first one at 7 am and the last one at 8 pm). The train fare is 30 rupees (~$0.20). The train will take you to Colombo Fort Central Station. Then you will still need to somehow get to your hotel.
5 | What is the best transport to get from the airport to Colombo?
If you are traveling lightly, are not in a hurry, and prefer to save money, you can take a bus. This way you will immediately immerse yourself in the local flavor and appreciate the delights of local transport.
If you are traveling with children or large suitcases, after a long flight you want to get to the hotel as quickly as possible - and start your holiday in Sri Lanka with a comfortable and quick trip from the airport to the hotel.
Do you like to travel by car? In Sri Lanka you can get it at Colombo airport.
6 | Tools that will save you time and money:
Save the article as a keepsake on Pinterest The latitude at which the airport is located: 7.180000000000, in turn, the longitude of the airport corresponds to: 79.880000000000. Geographic coordinates of latitude and longitude determine the location of the airport on the earth's surface. To completely determine the position of the airport in three-dimensional space, a third coordinate is also needed - height. The height of the airport above sea level is 9 meters. The airport is located in the time zone: +5.5 GMT. Airplane tickets always indicate the local time of departure and arrival of the airport according to time zones. Online arrival and departure boards at Bandaranayake Airport (CMB).
The most up-to-date information about flight times and possible delays is usually located on the online arrivals board and online departure board of the official website of Bandaranayake Airport (CMB): . Also on the official website of the CMB airport you can usually find information about the route to the airport, information about parking on the territory, a map of the airport itself, information about services, rules and other reference information for passengers.Sri Lanka has two international airports where planes carrying tourists can fly. The first and main airport is most often called Colombo Airport, although it is located 35 km north of Colombo, near the city of Negombo. The second airport of Sri Lanka is located in the south of the island and, accordingly, is of interest to those traveling to the south.
From this article you will learn:
The main airport of Sri Lanka is Bandaranaike Airport
Name of the main airport in Sri Lanka, where the vast majority of aircraft arrive is Bandaranaike International Airport (airport code CMB). Most often it is simply called "Colombo International Airport". Although there is another small airport in Colombo, there is a risk of confusing these two airports. But let's talk about everything in order and first, let's deal with the main airport.
Distance from airport Bandaranaike is 35 km from the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. The journey to the city center takes approximately 45 minutes if you take the toll road. The closest city to the airport is Negombo (~10 km and 20 minutes by taxi).
You can get to a hotel in almost any corner of Sri Lanka on the website or.
Sri Lanka hotels near Colombo airport- on booking.com or agoda.com.
Find cheap flights to Colombo Airport The Aviasales website will help.
Reminder for those flying from Sri Lanka: It is better to arrive at the airport in advance. Before checking in for a flight, you must go through two security checks, which take at least 30 minutes.
24-hour services at Colombo International Airport
Currency exchange in the arrivals hall at Colombo airport Almost all service departments at Colombo International Airport are 24/7, so 24 hours a day you can:
- obtain a visa on arrival (the procedure for obtaining a visa and the list of required documents is in the article Visa on arrival to Sri Lanka);
- buy alcohol or cigarettes in the duty-free zone in the arrivals area after passport control (customs restrictions on the import of alcohol to Sri Lanka - 1.5 liters per person),
- change money at exchange offices (there are exchange offices in both the arrival and departure halls);
- withdraw cash in local currency (rupees) from ATMs in the arrival hall;
- buy a SIM card from any of the five mobile operators (in the arrivals hall);
- receive information booklets and a free map of Sri Lanka at the counter of the Ministry of Tourism (located in the arrivals hall to the right of the exchange offices);
- take a taxi to Colombo or to other cities of Sri Lanka in the arrival hall or at the Taxi window on the street (for details of taxis at the airport, read the article How and where is the best place to order a taxi from Colombo airport).
Colombo International Airport (Bandaranaike) on the map:
Official site Sri Lanka Bandaranaike International Airport - http://www.airport.lk
Mattala International Airport in southern Sri Lanka
Name of the second international airport in Sri Lanka- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport or abbreviated MRIA, code - HRI) or Hambantota Airport. The airport was built on a grand scale, but did not live up to the hopes placed on it and the money spent. Currently only Flydubai and a few domestic airlines fly to this airport.
Distance from airport Mattala Rajapaksa to the coastal city of Hambantota is 26 km (about 30 minutes by taxi), to Colombo 262 km (minimum 4.5 hours by car).
Sri Lanka hotels near the airport Mattala - on booking.com or agoda.com.
Order a transfer (taxi) from the airport You can get to the hotel on the website or.
Find cheap flights to Mattala (Hambantota) Airport The Aviasales website will help.
Official site Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport - http://www.airport.lk/mria
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on the map:
When is it more convenient and profitable to fly to Mattala (Hambantota) airport?
- if you are planning a holiday on the southern beaches of Sri Lanka: Tangalla, Weligama, Mirissa, Unawatuna, Hambantota.
- If the air ticket to the airport in Mattala Rajapaksa is cheaper than in Colombo, then it makes sense to use this option for relaxing on the beaches of Koggala and Hikkaduwa. To search for cheap plane tickets, use the Aviasales website.
- if you are planning a trip to such sights of Sri Lanka as the holy city of Kataragama and the Yala Nature Reserve. Getting there from Mattala airport is much faster than from Colombo. For example, you can get to Yala in 2 hours (the road from Colombo will take at least 5 hours)
How not to confuse Colombo airports
At the beginning of the article, I wrote that there is a small airport in Colombo - Ratmalana. This airport also has international status, but at the moment only domestic flights, small charter and cargo planes fly from Ratmalana Airport.
The airport is located in Colombo, in the popular tourist area of Lavinia.
Sri Lanka Colombo International Airport
The main international airport of Sri Lanka is located in the city of Katunayake, 33 km north of the actual capital of the country, Colombo. It is operated by SriLankan Airlines (the national passenger and cargo carrier). It is at this airport that the bulk of international flights arrive; the second international airport, Hambantota, is practically not oriented towards the arrival of tourists. How to get from the airport to the resort town and how much does a taxi cost from Colombo airport.
Colombo Airport Names (CMB)
The international airport has several names, the last two of which are often used to this day:
- Negombo(Negombo International Airport) - the first, British name, after the nearest major city.
- Katunayake(Katunayake International Airport) - the second, Ceylon name, based on its immediate location.
- Bandaranaike(Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA)) - the third Ceylonese name in honor of the Prime Minister, is still used today.
- Colombo(Colombo International Airport (CMB)) is the fourth official name currently in use.
Colombo airport address, location on the map
Address: Colombo International Airport (CMB), Canada Friendship Road, Katunayake 11450
Website: airport.lk
History of Colombo Airport
In 1944, during the Second World War, the history of the largest international airport in Sri Lanka began. The Royal British Air Force built a small airfield at Negombo, which existed until 1957, when the British abandoned the island and Solomon Bandaranaike, the 4th Prime Minister of the then Ceylon, after whom the airport is now named, closed all British military airfields in the country. Negombo Airport was renamed Katunayake after its location and taken over by the Royal Ceylon Air Force.
Between 1964 and 1967, with Canadian assistance, a new international airport was built and the national carrier Air Ceylon began flying with the help of three British airliner manufacturing corporations. In honor of this, the street in Negombo, directly on which the airport stands, is named “Canada Friendship Road”.
In 1970, the airport was named after former Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike, but was then renamed Katunayake International Airport in 1977. Then, in 1995, it was again renamed back to the International Airport. S. Bandaranaike. The first tourist flight accepted by Bandaranaike Airport is considered to be the flight on November 7, 1971 - then the first Boeing 747-200B brought German tourists from Frankfurt to Colombo.
Colombo International Airport Map
The maps presented below are diagrams of the departure and arrival zones of the international airport. Bandaranaike (BIA) in Sri Lanka. The international airport was built in the Colombo suburb of Negombo in 1944 and was named after the Prime Minister of Ceylon, Sirimavo Bandaranaike International Airport. However, the airport was later renamed Katunayake, after its location. And, although the airport is located in the Colombo suburb of Negombo, you can most often see the name “Colombo Airport” (CMB).
Arrival area of Colombo airport, Sri Lanka
Resolution: 2136*1593
Open the map of the Arrival zone at Colombo airport, Sri Lanka
Colombo International Airport is a fairly modern and large transport hub that handles both international and local routes. For the convenience of travelers, the arrivals area is equipped with an equalizer; at the exit from the hall there are currency exchange offices, offices of mobile operators, as well as a 24-hour official airport taxi counter.
Colombo airport departure area, Sri Lanka
Resolution: 2126*1737
Open the map of the departure area at Colombo airport in full size in a new tab.
Colombo Airport (CMB) terminals
The airport has 4 terminals:
- Terminal 1 (opened in 1967) is the largest in area of the two operating terminals; it houses 12 gates, currently serving all international flights with a horizontal system of dividing the departure and arrival areas. Over time, after opening, it is planned to transfer international flights to the second terminal.
- Terminal 2 (opening planned). The plans include opening a terminal with 8 gates with a vertical system for separating departure and arrival areas.
- Terminal 3 (opened in 2012) is the smallest of the two operating terminals and serves all domestic flights in the country. Horizontal system for separating departure and arrival zones.
- cargo terminal (opened 2009) - to handle cargo flights, it also has a horizontal zone separation system.
List of passenger airlines
This list of passenger air carriers is indicated with departure from Terminal 1 of Colombo Airport.
| Airlines | Directions | |
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Air Arabia | Sharjah, UAE |
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Air Asia | |
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Chennai, India | |
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Air India Express | Chennai, India |
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Air China | China |
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China Southern Airlines | China |
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China Eastern Airlines |
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Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
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Dubai - International airport (Dubai-International), UAE | |
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Gulf Air | Bahrain |
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Indigo | Cities of India |
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KLM | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
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Malindo Air | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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Muscat, Oman |
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Doha, Qatar | |
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Amman - International airport named after. Queen Alia, Jordan | |
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Silk Air | Singapore, Singapore |
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Thai Smile Air | Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi International Airport (new) (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi), Thailand |
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Istanbul - International airport named after. Ataturk (Istanbul-Atatürk), Türkiye | |
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Ukraine International | Ukraine |
Sri Lanka is a popular destination for domestic tourists. It is more convenient to get to the island by plane. As well as moving along it over long distances. International airports are the gateway and face of the country. More details about their work: location, customs clearance, reviews.
Airports on the map
Sri Lanka has 3 airports that have international status. These include:
- Bandaranaike- in Colombo.
- Ratmalana- south of Colombo. The airport has international status, but regular passenger international flights to the airport does not accept. It is used for domestic flights, as well as for charter flights and cargo transportation.
- Mattala Rajapaksa- in Hambantota.
Airports for domestic flights:
- Kogalla.
- Ampara.
- China Bay.
- Vavuniya.
- Jaffna.
There are also other airports, much smaller. Domestic flights operate in charter format called air taxis.
The northern part of the island has 3 airports. 2 are located in the west and east. There are also 2 airports in the south. The central part is mountainous, so there are no airfields there.
International airports
Bandaranaike Airport is located near the city of Negombo. It is 35 km away from the city of Colombo. to the south. Location - in the western part of the island. Therefore, it is better for those tourists who are planning their vacation in this part of the country to fly here.
Some tourists unknowingly come to Ratmalana Airport. This is a problem for those who trust Google because it gives the nearest airport to Colombo.
The second international airport, Mattala Rajapaksa, is located in the southeast of the island. The complex is large, but only Flydubai flies here from foreign companies. Tourism is not developing so actively in this part of the island.
Colombo (Bandaranaike Airport)
Among the airports in Sri Lanka, Bandaranaike should be highlighted. This is the main international airport. It is distinguished by coziness and high comfort for visitors. At the same time, it is characterized by Asian fuss.
Official website of the airport: www.airport.lk
Using this busiest airport as an example, we will provide information about work, customs control and reviews from visitors.
Clearing customs
Documents you need to have with you:
- A foreign passport valid for at least 3 months before the end of the trip;
- Flights;
- Insurance;
- Money;
- Certificate from the bank if importing more than $10 thousand per person.
You are allowed to import 20 kg per person. If there is one suitcase for several persons, then its weight should not exceed 32 kg. For excess there will be an additional payment. Hand luggage – up to 5 kg. per person. Upon departure, everything is carefully checked.
Customs restrictions:
- No more than $10 thousand in cash.
- Valuable equipment and jewelry are declared.
- Tobacco products are subject to a duty of 7 rupees per cigarette or 1300 rupees per 1 kg. tobacco
- You can import 6 kg. tea per person.
- Allowed to import 2 bottles of wine or 1.5 liters. strong alcohol.
- Cosmetics are allowed for an amount not exceeding $250.
It is prohibited to import: drugs, ammunition, weapons, pornography, gold.
Export prohibited:
- Antiques;
- Ancient manuscripts and other cultural values;
- Precious stones;
- Animals;
- Plants.
Online scoreboard
Airport plan
Visa at the airport
You can apply for a visa in advance via the Internet. In this case it will cost $30.
For some reason, not everyone is able to obtain a visa in advance. But you can also get it at the airport. But it will cost more. The procedure is simple and not tedious. However, the latter depends on the queue.
Tips for obtaining a visa on arrival:
- Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Cost is $35 per person. Children under 12 years old are free.
- Confirmation of cash for accommodation - in individual cases.
If you have to apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport, you must have a return ticket in hand, in paper form. If you don't have it, the airline may not put you on your flight to Sri Lanka. In other words, there is a risk of not being able to fly away.
Watch a video of a walk through Colombo Airport:
Reviews
Below is information from visitors to the airport in Colombo. People felt the atmosphere and appreciated the quality of the services. Travelers have something to compare with, so their opinion is worth listening to.
Alexander Ivanichev, 34 years old
The flight arrived in the morning, so there were very few people. Luggage is handed out in a spacious hall, and the building itself is spacious. The toilets are basically standard, there is no depressing picture.
There are a large number of kiosks at the exit from the airport building. There you can also find a currency exchange and buy a SIM card for communication. By the way, the Internet on the island is characterized by high speed.
It is better to change money at the airport, since the exchange rate at the hotel is too high. By the way, keep the receipt. When you get ready to go home, you can exchange the money back, if you have any left, at the same rate.
But upon departure the picture was somewhat different. The entrance is located in a different place. There are many duty-free shops there, as well as cafes and restaurants for every taste. However, everything is distinguished by a high price. In principle, nothing surprising for a busy international airport.
As for the hall itself, everything is neat, no worse than in the USA or Saudi Arabia. However, one can feel the Hindu lack of culture, since there are many of them there. Some even sleep on the floor.
Passport control was not without a queue. The waiting room with metal chairs is quite comfortable. It is somewhat reminiscent of Dubai Airport.
Positive points:
- You can easily find a cafe with good food.
- There are many shops with various products, which is interesting for tourists.
Negative sides:
- Prices are higher compared to the rest of the country. But this is true almost all over the world.
- Queues, which is also predictable for an international airport.
Marina Ilyintseva, 41 years old
Due to the nature of my profession, I have to fly a lot. That's why I've seen a lot of airports. As for Columbo, he unexpectedly surprised me in a good way!
Advantages:
- Friendly staff;
- Thoughtfulness;
- Large waiting room;
- Comfort gates.
Flaws:
- Air conditioners do not work everywhere (perhaps they did not have time to service them).
- Expensive shopping area.
The main airport is bustling. It will seem unpleasant to those who have visited only American or European countries. But you just have to get used to the Asian rhythm and everything is fine.
Passport control is fast, especially with a pre-issued electronic permit. All that remains is to fill out the migration card.
There are tons of shops. The prices are good. However, why not buy a TV on vacation, especially in Sri Lanka? You can also find banks for currency exchange here. The rates at the airport are low, so don't miss out. In the future, you can lose money on the island.
Everything at the airport is close by, so you don't have to wander around. There is a feeling of some kind of comfort. There are no labyrinths, nor large corridors.
Duty free shops only accept dollars. The remaining rupees can only be spent in a cafe or to buy souvenirs.
Mattala Rajapaksa Airport
In the southern part of the island, an entire agricultural complex was erected - Mattala Rajapaksa. But despite the scale of construction, the investment was not justified. Therefore, the complex is mainly used for domestic flights.
Official website of the airport: http://www.airport.lk/mria/index.php#page=page-3
The nearest large city is located on the coast - Hambantona. Up to 26 km, which will take about half an hour by taxi. Colombo is 262 km away, which is equivalent to a 4.5 hour drive.
This airport may be convenient for the following reasons:
- For a holiday in the southern part of the country.
- When is it cheaper to fly to Sri Lanka to this airport? But given the cost of tickets from Flydubai, this is unlikely for domestic consumers. But, depending on where you fly from.
- For domestic flights from the western part of the island for sightseeing. For example, to visit Yala it is easier to fly from Colombo to Mattala and then drive. The journey from Mattala will take 2 hours, and from Colombo – 5.
Everyone, without exception, will like the inside - the building is too magnificently built.
Online scoreboard
Ratmalana is a domestic airport serving the city of Colombo. It was the first and only international airport in Sri Lanka until the opening of Bandaranaike at Katunaike in 1967. To date, the airport has been opened for international and charter flights. The airport is located 15 km south of the city of Colombo.
Official website of the airport: http://www.airport.lk/rma/index.php#page=page-3
Koggala Airport
The first flight from Koggala Airport was in 1942. So it is one of the oldest airports in the country. But its runway was built after the end of the war. Koggala Airport is served by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
From the city you can get to the airport by taxi. The complex is used not only for military aviation, but also for domestic flights. The country's government has a plan to modernize the complex so that it meets international requirements. Perhaps over time it will accept international flights.
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