Arrive · Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
CMB to Colombo: one pre-booked car or airport taxi via the expressway, 50–90 minutes for about 35 km (22 mi) — the risk is not the ride but the immigration queue and a hotel desk that is not staffed at night.CMB to Colombo: one pre-booked car or airport taxi via the expressway, 50–90 minutes for about 22 mi (35 km) — the risk is not the ride but the immigration queue and a hotel desk that is not staffed at night.
Key facts
- Default ride
- Pre-booked car or airport taxi to the hotel door
- Ride time
- 50–90 min
- p50–p90
- Fare
- LKR 9,000
- Late night after
- 22:00
- on demand
Rules in force · 8Colombo pavements are narrow, broken or missing and Petta…
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
- Western Province ↗Colombo's peak traffic (about 07:00–09:30 and 16:30–19:30) doubles car times: plan airport transfers and cluster changes outside it.
- Colombo ↗Colombo pavements are narrow, broken or missing and Pettah's lanes are packed: large suitcases go from the car to the door, never on a walk.
- Colombo ↗Around the Fort's government buildings, harbour and military posts, guards can stop photography: ask before you raise a camera.
More
Map of the airport
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Your landing time, your bags, your bed
Lock your path to bed
Take Pre-booked car or airport taxi to the hotel door at 23:15. Bed by ~00:47 (+1) (p90).
Sleep area not decided? Check the area first.
On the groundHideSteps from the gate, and what to do if it breaks
On the ground
Step by step from the gate, and what to do if it breaks
Zero-brain vs precision
- Daytime default
- Hotel pickup or a licensed airport taxi booked before you fly, straight to the hotel door.
- Precision
- The airport is at Katunayake, 35 km (22 mi) north of Colombo Fort; the expressway saves time except at peak hours; counter positions and fares are desk estimates (field-verify).The airport is at Katunayake, 22 mi (35 km) north of Colombo Fort; the expressway saves time except at peak hours; counter positions and fares are desk estimates (field-verify).
- Late-night threshold
- 22:00
Steps from landing
5 / 10 min
Gate to immigration
all arrivals25 / 60 min
Immigration (ETA / visa check)
only intl checked, intl cabin20 / 40 min
Baggage claim + customs
only intl checked, domestic checked15 / 25 min
SIM/cash, then the pickup or taxi counter
all arrivals50 / 90 min
Pre-booked car or airport taxi to the hotel door
on demand, any hour · LKR 9,000
If it breaks
- Immigration queues can pass an hour when several long-haul flights land together; message the hotel with your flight number before you fly.
- Use a pre-booked car, the airport taxi counter or a ride-hailing app; decline drivers who approach inside the hall.
- Some guesthouses do not staff the door at night: confirm a late-arrival plan in advance.
Other flights, questions and sourcesHideOther flights
Deep dive
Other flights
Sources
| Field | Value | Source type | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| primary.yen | LKR 7,000–12,000 | secondary | 40% |
| primary.ride_p90 | 90 min | secondary | 40% |