Airport taxi & transfer
Colombo Airport to Negombo
Your own airport taxi from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Negombo: a private car or van, a driver waiting for you at arrivals, and a fixed price agreed before you fly.
The route
The drive from Colombo airport to Negombo
A short drive north along the main Negombo road. No expressway needed. It's about 12 km and usually takes 20 min, depending on traffic.
Good to know: Landing late at night or flying out early? Negombo is the easiest place to spend your first or last night in Sri Lanka.
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.
Negombo to Colombo Airport
Flying home? We drive you from Negombo to Colombo airport for the same price: US$30 by car or US$40 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 Negombo
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
Negombo
A relaxed beach town on a lagoon full of fishing boats, with a busy fish market and old Dutch canals, just 20 minutes from the airport.
Airport pickups
Book your airport pickup
Tell us your flight and hotel. Your driver will be waiting with a name board when you land.
Good to know
Airport pickup questions
How much is a taxi from Colombo airport to Negombo?
A private transfer costs US$30 by car (up to 3 guests) or US$40 by van (up to 9), one way. That's per vehicle, not per person, with fuel, parking and highway tolls included.
How far is Negombo from Colombo airport, and how long does it take?
About 12 km by road, which takes around 20 min depending on traffic. We use the expressways wherever they save time.
Can you take us from Negombo back to Colombo airport?
Yes, for the same price: US$30 by car or US$40 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