Sri Lanka
How to get to and from hundreds of the world's airports by car, bus, train and other forms of public transport. Updates and requests for inclusion in these pages are welcomed. Information is from many sources including personal visits and may no longer be accurate.
Legal Disclaimer Last Update 20-Aug-12Anuradhapura (ADP):
Location: 3 km/2 Miles SE of the city.
Updated Feb05
Colombo - Bandaranaike Intl (CMB):
Website: Colombo Airport
Location: 32 km/20 Miles N of Colombo City, 80 km/50 miles N of Beruela and Bentota resorts. 8 km/5 Miles SE of Negombo town & resort.
Airport Overview: 2 terminals: departure and arrival, separated by a 2 minute walk.
By Taxi: There is a taxi booth in arrivals after exiting customs. A list of prices is posted for both AC (air conditioned) and non-AC taxis, although the staff at the desk say that the AC cabs are difficult to obtain. Prices are as follows (pay the driver): To Colombo LKR 1490 Non AC/1650 AC/45 mins, Negombo town LKR 812/20-25 mins & Negombo Beach 862/25-30 mins. To Beruela & Bentota LKR 4235/4656/2 hrs. To Kandy or Galle LKR 4500. Once away from the airport, taxis run on meters. Similar prices should be expected for the return trip.
Updated Feb05
| By Bus: | |
|---|---|
| General: | As you exit the terminal to the street, there is a sign direcing you to the left, where buses can be caught. |
| Bus#187 to Colombo: | Route: Runs to BIA/Fort Railway Station in Colombo City centre. Timings: Runs frequently. Cost: LKR 50 per person plus LKR 50 per piece of luggage. |
| Other Buses: | At present, no other buses serve the airport. For other destinations, eg Kandy, take the bus to Colombo and change. |
| Notes from a Traveller October 2009: | You go out of the airport, turn left and catch a bus which itself does not go to Colombo, but goes to a place where you can catch a bus to Colombo. This is probably because the airport area is closed to local people unless they show an airline ticket, and the bus from the airport to Colombo serves everybody. Warning: the bus Colombo-Airport leaves close to the place where the bus Airport-Colombo arrives, but not exactly the same place. You must ask the driver. The bus is far from air-conditioned and clean, and it doesn't run every 15 minutes, but it is indeed reliable. |
By Train: There is no train station at the airport terminal itself, but there is a station less than 1 km away, which can be used to get to Colombo train station and beyond.
Rental Cars: Several local companies including Abans & Nambo are avilable.
Baggage Storage: There is a left luggage store outside the arrivals terminal near the bus stop.
Airport Tax: Airport tax now seems to be included in the ticket price.
Airport Hotels: The closest hotel to the terminals is the 4 star Airport Garden Hotel. Next closest is the less luxurious Orient Pearl Hotel. The Goodwood Hotel is also fairly close.
Notes: Post Office is at the arrivals terminal near the bus stop. An ATM/Cash machine is in arrivals after exiting customs, along with money changing facilities, hotel booking desks & the taxi booth. There are a greater variety of hotel and travel desks further on, just as you exit to the street. There are also 3 ATMs outside the departure terminal (on the way to the arrival terminal). ◊For assistance in arranging travel and accommodation, see Kumara de Silva, the Airport Service Manager at the transit hotel desk in arrivals (near the taxi desk). Tel +94 11 226 3375 (airport) or +94 777 259703 or 345798 (mobile).
Airport Tel No: +94 11 2 25 2861.
Website: Colombo Airport
Updated Oct10 ADV. Last Visit Jul06.
Colombo - Ratmalana (RML):
Location: 11 km/7 Miles S of Colombo city centre.
Notes: Used by most domestic flights.
Airport Tel No: +94 11 2 62 3030.
Updated Feb05
Jaffna - Kankesanturai (JAF):
Location: 15 km/9 Miles NNE of Jaffna.
Updated Feb05
Mattala:
Notes: A new airport is under construction here and should be open in 2011.
Updated Mar10
