All-round16daysAll-Round Sri Lanka
The whole island in one unforgettable loop
Negombo · Colombo · Galle · Yala · Ella · Nuwara Eliya · Kandy · Sigiriya · Trincomalee · Anuradhapura · Wilpattu
FromUS$1,020 pp
Airport taxi & transfer
Colombo Airport to Colombo
Your own airport taxi from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Colombo: a private car or van, a driver waiting for you at arrivals, and a fixed price agreed before you fly.
35 km45 minFrom US$55
The route
The drive from Colombo airport to Colombo
Straight down the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, then into the city. It's about 35 km and usually takes 45 min, depending on traffic.
Good to know: Weekday rush hours, roughly 7 to 9am and 4 to 7pm, can add half an hour or more inside the city.
How your transfer works
- Your driver waits at arrivals with a name board
- We track your flight, so delays cost you nothing
- Help with your luggage
- Air-conditioned car or van, just for your group
- Fuel, parking and highway tolls included
- Child seats free on request
Prices are per vehicle, one way, not per person. Need a transfer that isn't listed, or a hotel-to-hotel ride? Send us a message and we'll quote it right away.
Colombo to Colombo Airport
Flying home? We drive you from Colombo to Colombo airport for the same price: US$55 by car or US$80 by van. Tell us your flight time and we'll pick you up with plenty of time to spare.
Other ways to get from Colombo airport to Colombo
Buses run from the airport, but they're crowded and awkward with big bags, and ride-hailing apps need a local SIM or Wi-Fi when you land. A pre-booked transfer means a fixed price and a driver waiting with your name, which helps most after a long flight or at night. Read our Colombo airport arrival guide
Colombo
The buzzing capital by the sea: colonial landmarks, street food on Galle Face Green, great restaurants and Geoffrey Bawa's floating temple at Seema Malaka.
Travel guideAirport pickups
Book your airport pickup
Tell us your flight and hotel. Your driver will be waiting with a name board when you land.
Tours
Tours that visit Colombo
All-round16daysGood to know
Airport pickup questions
How much is a taxi from Colombo airport to Colombo?
A private transfer costs US$55 by car (up to 3 guests) or US$80 by van (up to 9), one way. That's per vehicle, not per person, with fuel, parking and highway tolls included.
How far is Colombo from Colombo airport, and how long does it take?
About 35 km by road, which takes around 45 min depending on traffic. We use the expressways wherever they save time.
Can you take us from Colombo back to Colombo airport?
Yes, for the same price: US$55 by car or US$80 by van. Tell us your flight time and we'll plan your pickup so you reach the airport about 3 hours before an international flight.
How do I find my driver at Colombo airport?
After customs, walk out into the arrivals hall. Your driver will be waiting with a name board showing your name. We send you your driver's name and WhatsApp number before you fly.
What if my flight is delayed?
We track your flight, so your driver is there when you land. Delays cost you nothing.
My flight lands in the middle of the night. Is that OK?
Yes. Many flights land late at night or before dawn, and our drivers meet flights at any hour. If you land after midnight, a first night in Negombo, 20 minutes away, lets you start the longer drives fresh.
Is the price per person?
No. Prices are per vehicle, one way: a car for up to 3 guests or a van for up to 9.
How do I pay?
No payment is needed to book. You pay your driver on the day, in cash (US dollars, euros or Sri Lankan rupees).
Is Katunayake airport the same as Colombo airport?
Yes. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is in Katunayake, about 30 km north of Colombo. It's Sri Lanka's main international airport, and most people simply call it Colombo airport.
How early should we leave for the airport when flying home?
Plan to reach the airport about 3 hours before an international flight. We work out your pickup time from the distance and the traffic, so you don't have to.
Airport transfers
Other airport transfers
From the airport toDistanceTimeCar, up to 3Van, up to 9Book