Colombo Airport Guide

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Sri Lanka's only major international airport, situated in the town of Katunayake in the Gampaha District, about 35 km north of Colombo. The airport is named after Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, a former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. It sits along the western coast, close to the popular beach town of Negombo, which is just 6 km away and a common first or last-night stop for travellers.

The airport operates from a single main terminal building that handles both arrivals and departures. The arrivals hall is on the ground floor, while departures and check-in counters are on the upper level. The terminal has been progressively upgraded with modern facilities including free Wi-Fi (limited duration), air-conditioned waiting areas, ATMs, currency exchange counters, duty-free shops, and several food and beverage outlets.

A second international airport, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), exists in the deep south near Hambantota, but it handles very few commercial flights and is not relevant for most travellers. For all practical purposes, CMB is your arrival and departure point in Sri Lanka.

Upon landing at CMB, you will disembark and follow signs to the immigration hall. The process is straightforward but can be slow during peak hours when multiple long-haul flights arrive simultaneously, typically between 4:00 AM and 8:00 AM. Here is what to expect step by step.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Most nationalities require an ETA to enter Sri Lanka. Since April 2024, ETAs are processed through the new Sri Lanka eVisa portal. You should apply online before departure, as the process takes 24-72 hours. The fee varies by nationality but is typically $50 USD for a 30-day tourist visa, which can be extended to 90 days at the Department of Immigration in Colombo. Some nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival, but applying online in advance is always recommended to avoid delays.

Immigration Queue

The immigration hall has separate queues for Sri Lankan passport holders, diplomats, and foreign nationals. During busy periods, the foreign nationals queue can take 30-60 minutes. Have your passport, completed arrival card (distributed on the aircraft or available at counters before immigration), return ticket, and ETA confirmation ready. Immigration officers may ask about your accommodation and travel plans.

Baggage Claim

After immigration, proceed to the baggage carousel area. Trolleys are available free of charge. If your luggage is delayed or lost, report it immediately at the airline baggage desk located in the arrivals hall before exiting.

Customs

Sri Lanka allows duty-free import of 1.5 litres of spirits, 2 bottles of wine, and personal effects. Importing drugs, pornography, and certain animal products is strictly prohibited. If you have nothing to declare, walk through the green channel. Customs officers may occasionally conduct spot checks on luggage.

The 35 km journey from Bandaranaike International Airport to central Colombo takes approximately 30-50 minutes via the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (E03), or 60-90 minutes via the old Negombo Road through local traffic. Here are your main transport options, ranked from most to least expensive.

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

Many hotels and guesthouses offer airport pickup services for $15-25 USD. This is the most hassle-free option, especially after a long flight. Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a name board. Book through your accommodation or a reputable local tour operator. Expressway tolls (around LKR 400) are usually included in the quoted price.

Airport Taxi Service (Official Counter)

The official Airport Taxi counter is located just outside the arrivals exit on the right side. Fares are pre-paid at fixed rates displayed on the board: approximately LKR 3,500-5,000 ($11-15 USD) to Colombo Fort or Colombo 7, and LKR 1,500-2,500 ($5-8 USD) to Negombo. These are metered rates with an expressway toll supplement. The service is reliable and safe, and you will receive a receipt. Vehicles are typically air-conditioned sedans.

Ride-Hailing Apps (PickMe and Uber)

PickMe is Sri Lanka's most popular ride-hailing app and works well from the airport. Uber also operates but with fewer drivers. You will need a working SIM card or Wi-Fi to book. Fares to Colombo typically run LKR 2,500-4,000 ($8-12 USD) depending on the time of day and demand. Wait at the designated pickup area on the departures level (upper floor) or just outside arrivals. These apps offer the advantage of cashless payment and fare transparency.

Airport Express Bus (Route 187)

The cheapest option by far. The air-conditioned express bus to Colombo Fort runs regularly and costs just LKR 150 ($0.50 USD). The journey takes approximately 60-80 minutes depending on traffic. The bus stop is located on the main road just outside the airport exit, about a 5-minute walk from the terminal. Buses run roughly every 30 minutes from early morning until late evening. This is a perfectly safe and clean option, though not ideal if you have heavy luggage.

Regular Public Bus

Non-air-conditioned public buses on Route 240 and Route 187 run to Colombo via Negombo Road for around LKR 80-120. They are frequent but slow, crowded, and not recommended with luggage.

Train from Katunayake South

The Katunayake South railway station is about 2 km from the airport terminal. You can take a tuk-tuk to the station (LKR 300-500) and then catch a train to Colombo Fort for around LKR 50-100. Trains are infrequent (roughly every 1-2 hours) and can be crowded during rush hours, so this is only practical if you are on a very tight budget and have flexible timing.

Purchasing a local SIM card at the airport is one of the smartest things you can do upon arrival. You will need mobile data for navigation, ride-hailing apps, communicating with accommodation hosts, and staying connected throughout your trip. Several mobile operators have counters in the arrivals hall, open 24 hours to coincide with flight arrivals.

Available Operators

The three main providers with airport counters are Dialog (largest network, best overall coverage), Mobitel (strong 4G coverage, good value), and Airtel (cheapest plans, adequate coverage in urban areas). Dialog is generally recommended for travellers due to its superior coverage in rural and mountainous areas like Ella and the hill country.

Tourist SIM Packages

All operators offer special tourist SIM packages that include a combination of data, local calls, and international minutes. A typical tourist SIM with 15-20 GB of 4G data, valid for 30 days, costs LKR 1,300-1,500 ($4-5 USD). Premium packages with 40+ GB cost around LKR 2,000-2,500 ($7-8 USD). The staff will install the SIM, activate it, and configure your phone's APN settings.

What You Need

Bring your passport for SIM registration, which is mandatory in Sri Lanka. The process takes about 10-15 minutes. Your phone must be unlocked to use a local SIM. If you have a dual-SIM phone, you can keep your home SIM in the second slot for receiving verification codes. For more details, see our SIM Card & Internet Guide.

You will need Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) as soon as you exit the airport, especially for transport and tips. Several currency exchange counters and ATMs are available in the arrivals hall.

Currency Exchange Counters

Multiple exchange counters operate in the arrivals hall, including branches of Commercial Bank, Bank of Ceylon, and private exchange bureaus. Airport exchange rates are generally 2-5% worse than rates in Colombo city, but the difference is not significant enough to warrant travelling without cash. Exchange enough for your first day or two (LKR 10,000-20,000 or $30-60 USD) and exchange the rest in Colombo or at banks along your route for slightly better rates.

ATMs

Several ATMs are available in the arrivals hall and near the exit, including Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, and HNB. Most accept Visa and Mastercard. The typical ATM withdrawal limit is LKR 40,000-50,000 per transaction ($120-150 USD), and local banks charge a fee of LKR 400-500 per withdrawal. Your home bank may also charge a foreign transaction fee. ATMs occasionally run out of cash during peak arrival times, so having some USD or EUR as backup is wise.

Tips

US Dollars, Euros, and British Pounds are the easiest currencies to exchange. Bring clean, undamaged notes, as torn or heavily worn bills may be refused. For detailed information on managing money in Sri Lanka, see our Currency & Money Guide.

Bandaranaike International Airport offers a range of facilities for arriving and departing passengers, though they are modest compared to major Asian hub airports like Singapore or Bangkok.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, though speeds can be inconsistent and sessions are time-limited (typically 30-60 minutes). For reliable connectivity, purchase a local SIM card at the arrival counters.

Food & Beverage

Several cafes and restaurants operate in both the arrivals and departures areas, including a Java Lounge coffee shop. Prices are higher than outside the airport but reasonable by international standards. A meal costs around LKR 1,500-3,000 ($5-10 USD). Bottled water is available for LKR 100-200.

Duty-Free Shopping

Duty-free shops are available in both the arrivals hall (for spirits, tobacco, and electronics on arrival) and the departures area (after security). The arrivals duty-free is particularly useful for purchasing your alcohol allowance at competitive prices, as alcohol is expensive in Sri Lanka due to high taxes.

Left Luggage / Cloakroom

A left-luggage facility is available near the arrivals exit. Rates are approximately LKR 300-500 per bag per day. This is useful if you want to explore Negombo or take a day trip before your onward journey without hauling all your bags.

Airline Lounges

The SriLankan Airlines Serendib Lounge and the Araliya Lounge are available for business class passengers and eligible frequent flyers. Priority Pass holders can access the Araliya Lounge. Facilities include comfortable seating, buffet food, showers, and Wi-Fi.

Other Services

The airport also provides a post office, medical clinic, prayer rooms, baby care rooms, and porters who can assist with luggage for a small tip (LKR 200-500).

Departing from CMB is generally straightforward, but advance planning helps avoid last-minute stress, especially during peak season (December-March) and holiday periods.

Arriving at the Airport

Arrive at least 3 hours before your international departure. Security screening begins on the ground floor before you even enter the departures level. During peak hours, the combination of security, check-in, immigration, and the second security screening before the gates can take 90 minutes or more.

Check-In

Most airlines open check-in counters 3 hours before departure. SriLankan Airlines offers online check-in 24-48 hours in advance, which is recommended to save time. The check-in area is on the upper (departures) level.

Departure Tax

Sri Lanka's departure tax is now included in your airline ticket price, so you do not need to pay anything separately at the airport.

Security & Immigration

After check-in, proceed through departure immigration. Have your passport, boarding pass, and departure card (given at check-in or available at counters) ready. After immigration, there is a second security screening before the gate area.

Departures Duty-Free

The departures duty-free area beyond immigration is reasonably well stocked with international brands, Ceylon tea (a popular souvenir), gems, spices, and handicrafts. Prices for tea and local products are competitive, making this a good last-minute shopping opportunity.

Spending Remaining Rupees

If you have remaining Sri Lankan Rupees, spend them at the departures shops and restaurants, as it can be difficult and costly to convert LKR back to foreign currency outside Sri Lanka. Some exchange counters in the departure area will buy back rupees but at poor rates.