Colombo to Colombo

How to Get From Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre

3Options
30mFastest
$0.90From
MaartenAleksandraSeleneWritten by Maarten · Reviewed by Aleksandra, Selene · Updated 2 weeks ago

Bus · Shared Minivan · Taxi

Want to know how to get from Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre? In this post, we’ll share a summary of all 3 ways to get there and compare each option on duration, costs and level of comfort. For each option, we go into more detail to help you decide which transport provider to book with and where to buy your tickets.
Map of Colombo – Colombo

3 ways to travel from Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre

There are three ways to travel from Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, and taxi. The journey takes 30m–50m and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $0.90 (300 LKR).

BusWith transfersDuration30mPricefrom$0.90300 LKR

Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre by Bus

The bus is an affordable option for travel from Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre. Bus fares start at $0.90 (300 LKR), and the journey takes around 30m - 1h.

You have two main bus options, but we think the airport shuttle offers the best value.

Airport Shuttle / Luxury Bus Service (Route 187)

Bus 187 connects Bandaranaike International Airport with Colombo Fort Railway Station, the main transport hub in the city. The air-conditioned airport shuttle operates frequently, 24/7.

A ticket costs $1.10 (350 LKR) per person. Large luggage may require an additional $1.10 (350 LKR) fee.

The bus travels mainly via the airport expressway, so it has few stops and usually avoids heavy traffic. The journey takes around 50–60 minutes to reach Colombo.

You can board the bus right outside the terminal departure area.

Private Air-conditioned Buses (Online Booking)

You can also book private air-conditioned buses or shuttle services online in advance. These buses usually provide more space and air conditioning but are significantly more expensive.

Bus fares for private buses start from $16 (5,300 LKR) per person on BookAway. Taking a taxi or ride-hailing service may actually be cheaper, especially if you are travelling with others and can split the fare. It’s always worth comparing prices before deciding.

Colombo Airport to Negombo

30m$0.90 (300 LKR)
If you’re heading to Negombo instead of Colombo, the journey will be slightly faster. You can grab a tuk-tuk for a 30-minute ride at $1.80 (600 LKR), or take the ordinary bus #240, which also takes about 30 minutes and costs around $0.90 (300 LKR).

To and 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 $0.90 (300 LKR).

To and 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 $1.80 (600 LKR).
Colombo
Shared MinivanDuration50mPricefrom$134,350 LKR

Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre by Shared Minivan

A minivan ride from Colombo Airport to the city centre costs around $13 (4,350 LKR). The minivan journey takes about 50m, depending on traffic.

Magical Sri Lanka operates two minivans on this route. One drops you near the World Trade Center in Colombo, while the other stops at Colombo Fort Train Station. Both locations sit right in the heart of the city, so it’s easy to continue your journey from there to your accommodation.

That said, you can often find better value by booking a taxi, especially if you’re travelling with others and can split the fare.

Shared Minivans from Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre

50mMagical Sri LankaScenicColombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMBColombo Fort Train Station11:0018:00$134,350 LKRTickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.

Shared Minivans from Colombo City Centre to Colombo Airport

50m$13 (4,350 LKR)
50mMagical Sri LankaScenicColombo Fort Train StationColombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB09:0014:00$134,350 LKRTickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.

TaxiDuration30mPricefrom$186,000 LKR

Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre by Taxi

A private transfer from Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 30m - 1h, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.

Taxis are available at the airport, but Uber and Pickme are usually cheaper and more reliable. Uber is the most budget-friendly option for this route, with prices starting at $18 (6,000 LKR) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $6.10 (2,020 LKR) each.

If you prefer booking in advance, platforms like BookAway or 12GoAsia are great choices. They’re very reliable but come with a higher price tag, starting at $21 (6,800 LKR).

To and From Negombo

Bandaranaike International Airport actually sits within Negombo, so getting there takes just about 20 to 30 minutes.

You can book a 3 to 4-seater taxi for about $4.80 (1,600 LKR) on Uber or Pickme.

Private Transport from Colombo Airport to Colombo City Centre

30m - 1h$18 (6,000 LKR)
Uber
Zip 4 PAX
$12 (4,000 LKR)
$3 (1,000 LKR) per person
Glorious Transfer
Comfort Car 3 PAX
$18 (6,000 LKR)
$6.10 (2,020 LKR) per person
Best Sri Taxis
Sedan Car 3 PAX
$19 (6,200 LKR)
$6.30 (2,080 LKR) per person
Available atBookawayUber

Reach out to our Community

2
M
MaartenGeckoRoutes team

Thanks for sharing your journey! We’ve updated the Bus 187 fare to 350 LKR.

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1
E
ElaGeckoRoutes team

Hi Hannes, thanks for the heads up! We checked and indeed, bus prices from Colombo Airport to Colombo city centre have gone up. We're assuming, though, that you meant 150 Rs instead of 1,500 Rs? Because that's the updated rate we found as well. Hope you had a great time in Colombo! Happy travels! PS: Diese Antwort ist auf Englisch verfasst, um sie für Reisende aus allen Ländern hilfreich zu machen. Wir empfehlen die Verwendung von Google Translate, um diese Antwort ins Deutsche zu übersetzen.

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Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Colombo to Colombo. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Colombo to Colombo?

The distance from Colombo to Colombo is 32 kilometres (20 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Colombo to Colombo?

Journey times from Colombo to Colombo overlap: bus 30m - 1h, shared minivan 50m, taxi 30m - 1h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.

What is the cheapest way to get from Colombo to Colombo?

The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Colombo is by bus with ticket costs starting from 300 LKR.

CHANGELOG

Route Update History

  • Updated taxi prices.
  • Updated bus prices.

About the Authors

Maarten
Maarten

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.

Aleksandra
AleksandraReviewer

Travel Writer & Editor

Aleksandra is a writer and editor who recently moved from Hong Kong to London. She's worked and studied in four countries (and counting) and picked up a new hobby in each of them. She's a big fan of long train journeys so you can count on her to take the scenic route, finding a few hidden gems along the way.

Selene
SeleneReviewer

Travel Writer

Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.

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