How to get from Colombo Airport to the city centre

Colombo Airport (Bandaranaike)

Colombo Airport or Bandaranaike International Airport is located 35 km north of Colombo city centre and only 10 km south of Negombo.

In the first section of this post, you can find how to get to Colombo city and in the second section how to get to Negombo.

As Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka, most travellers tend to stay here. An advantage is also the direct railway connection to Galle, most travellers next destination in the South of Sri Lanka.

However, there are also many travellers who prefer to stay in Negombo because it is closer to the airport. There are also more accommodations to choose from, which are located next to an accessible beach. If you decide to stay in Negombo, it’s still easy to travel from Negombo to Colombo in about 1.5 hours.

There are 4 ways to travel the 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Colombo Airport to the city centre. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, taxi and Express bus. The journey takes 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 110 LKR ($0.40).

You have two bus options when travelling from Colombo Airport to Colombo city centre: ordinary public buses or air-conditioned buses, which you can book online.

Ordinary Buses

Ordinary buses depart every 45 minutes during the day, but less frequently at night. A ticket costs 150 LKR ($0.50). These buses make a lot of stops to pick up and drop off passengers so you can expect the travel time to take between 1.5 to 2 hours.

Note that ordinary buses are far from the most comfortable ride you will have in Sri Lanka. They feature wooden chairs and do not provide a lot of space. If you’re carrying bulky luggage, the driver might ask you to pay double the fare so that your luggage can “sit” beside you.

Air-conditioned Buses

For a more comfortable option, you can book air-conditioned buses online. They offer more space and, of course, air conditioning, but they are more expensive. It’s worth thinking about whether the extra comfort justifies the cost.

In some cases, taking a taxi might actually be cheaper, especially if you’re travelling with others and can split the fare. Always compare the prices before deciding.

To Colombo by Ordinary Bus

You can catch ordinary buses at Avariwatta Airport Bus Stand, about 1 km from Colombo Airport. A ticket costs 150 LKR ($0.50). The good news is that the road is flat so you can get to the bus stand on foot in about 10 minutes. If you’d prefer not to walk, a short tuk-tuk ride will cost around 200 LKR ($0.70).

From Avariwatta Bus Stand, take bus #187 bound for Colombo.

Are you coming from Colombo city centre? You can hail bus #187 from several bus stands. Ask your hotel for assistance in finding its nearest stop.

To Colombo by Air-conditioned Bus

For a more comfortable option, you can book an air-conditioned bus ticket in advance through BookAway. Ticket prices start at 4,980 LKR ($16.80). Travelling with friends? Consider a taxi for a more flexible and potentially cheaper option.

If you’re heading to Negombo instead of Colombo, the journey will be slightly faster. You can take a taxi for around 20 minutes starting at 2,000 LKR ($6.70), grab a tuk-tuk for a 30-minute ride at 1,300 LKR ($4.40), or take the ordinary bus #240, which also takes about 30 minutes and costs from 110 LKR ($0.40).

To/From Negombo by Taxi

The taxi is the quickest direct option when travelling from Colombo Airport to Negombo. The ordinary bus is cheaper, but not available inside the airport.

To/From Negombo by Ordinary Bus

Ordinary buses bound for Negombo depart from Avariwatta Bus Stand, about a kilometre walk or a short tuk-tuk ride from Colombo Airport. Ticket prices start from 110 LKR ($0.40).

To/From Negombo by Tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks are also not allowed to enter Colombo Airport. You will find them at Avariwatta Bus Stop as well. From here, a tuk-tuk ride to Negombo takes about 30 minutes. Fares start at 1,300 LKR ($4.40).

The Colombo Express Bus operates daily from 05:30 to 20:30, with a departure every 30 minutes. A ticket costs 3,500 LKR ($11.80) and the journey takes about 50 minutes.

Express buses are coloured blue and you can easily spot them about 50 metres off the airport grounds.

From Colombo Airport, these buses make a stop at the Central Bus Stand, Pettah Fort, and Colombo Fort Station. When travelling from the city centre to the airport, you can hail the express bus from any of these stops.

A minivan ride from Colombo Airport to the city centre costs around 3,500 LKR ($11.80). The minivan journey takes about 50 minutes, depending on traffic.

Magical Sri Lanka runs two minivans on this route — one drops you off at the World Trade Center Colombo, while the other heads to Colombo Fort Train Station.

If you are travelling in a group or have large pieces of luggage, the taxi is your best bet. Fares start at 2,700 LKR ($9.10) for a car that can accommodate 3 to 4 people, depending on the size of your luggage. Vans are also available for larger groups, for a few dollars more.

Taxis are available at the airport, but we think that taxis booked online are cheaper and more reliable. Uber and Pickme offer spacious cars for good rates. TaxiGo is also a good backup when the other two choices are not available.

To/From Negombo by Taxi

The taxi is the only direct option when travelling from Colombo Airport to Negombo.

A 3 to 4-seater taxi costs about 2,000 LKR ($6.70) if you book them with reliable apps like Uber and Pickme. Taxis are also readily available at the airport, but they might be a bit more expensive.

Private Transfers with BookAway

You can also book a private transfer online through BookAway, but fares are usually higher. Rates start from 5,300 LKR ($18) for a 3-seater private transfer. Check out options from Colombo Airport to both Colombo city centre and Negombo below.