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 Nuwara Eliya
Your own airport taxi from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Nuwara Eliya: a private car or van, a driver waiting for you at arrivals, and a fixed price agreed before you fly.
175 km4 hrs 30 minFrom US$130
The route
The drive from Colombo airport to Nuwara Eliya
Through Kandy, then up the winding road past Ramboda Falls and the tea estates. It's about 175 km and usually takes 4 hrs 30 min, depending on traffic.
Worth a stop on the way
- Ramboda Falls
- A tea factory with a tasting
Want to stop on the way? Tell us when you book and we'll plan it in.
Good to know: Nights are cool at nearly 1,900 metres, often below 15°C, so keep a warm layer handy.
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.
Nuwara Eliya to Colombo Airport
Flying home? We drive you from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo airport for the same price: US$130 by car or US$175 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 Nuwara Eliya
Buses and trains are cheaper, but they're slow with luggage and usually mean changing in Colombo or Negombo first, which can turn a 4 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
Nuwara Eliya
"Little England" in the clouds: misty tea estates, colonial bungalows, rose gardens and crisp mornings at nearly 1,900 metres.
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 Nuwara Eliya
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 Nuwara Eliya?
A private transfer costs US$130 by car (up to 3 guests) or US$175 by van (up to 9), one way. That's per vehicle, not per person, with fuel, parking and highway tolls included.
How far is Nuwara Eliya from Colombo airport, and how long does it take?
About 175 km by road, which takes around 4 hrs 30 min depending on traffic. We use the expressways wherever they save time.
Can you take us from Nuwara Eliya back to Colombo airport?
Yes, for the same price: US$130 by car or US$175 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