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 Ella
Your own airport taxi from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Ella: a private car or van, a driver waiting for you at arrivals, and a fixed price agreed before you fly.
240 km5 hrs 30 minFrom US$170
The route
The drive from Colombo airport to Ella
Two good routes: through the hills via Ratnapura and Haputale, or along the Southern Expressway and up through Wellawaya. Your driver picks the quicker one on the day. It's about 240 km and usually takes 5 hrs 30 min, depending on traffic.
Worth a stop on the way
- Ravana Falls
- Tea country views around Haputale
Want to stop on the way? Tell us when you book and we'll plan it in.
Good to know: Dreaming of the famous train ride? Many guests drive to Kandy or Nuwara Eliya first and take the train to Ella from there. We can meet you at Ella station.
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.
Ella to Colombo Airport
Flying home? We drive you from Ella to Colombo airport for the same price: US$170 by car or US$230 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 Ella
Buses and trains are cheaper, but they're slow with luggage and usually mean changing in Colombo or Negombo first, which can turn a 5 hrs 30 min drive into most of a day. A pre-booked transfer takes you door to door at a fixed price, and your driver waits even if your flight is late. Read our Colombo airport arrival guide
Ella
A laid-back village in a gap between the mountains, famous for the Nine Arch Bridge, ridge-top hikes and one of the world's most beautiful train rides.
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 Ella
All-round16days
Classic route12daysThe Ceylon Classic
The island's greatest hits, at an unhurried pace
Negombo · Dambulla · Sigiriya · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · Mirissa · Galle
FromUS$770 pp
Hill country7daysTea, Trains & Waterfalls
A week in the cool green heart of the island
Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Horton Plains · Ella
FromUS$410 pp
Good to know
Airport pickup questions
How much is a taxi from Colombo airport to Ella?
A private transfer costs US$170 by car (up to 3 guests) or US$230 by van (up to 9), one way. That's per vehicle, not per person, with fuel, parking and highway tolls included.
How far is Ella from Colombo airport, and how long does it take?
About 240 km by road, which takes around 5 hrs 30 min depending on traffic. We use the expressways wherever they save time.
Can you take us from Ella back to Colombo airport?
Yes, for the same price: US$170 by car or US$230 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