Arriving at Colombo Airport: A Step-by-Step Guide

Almost all international flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Katunayake, about 35 km north of central Colombo and 10 km from Negombo. The airport is compact and easy to navigate. Here's what to expect.

Before you fly

• Apply for your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) online before travelling, and keep a copy of the approval on your phone or printed. See our visa and ETA guide.
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months.
• Book your first night's accommodation and, ideally, an airport transfer — especially if you land late at night.

Step 1: Immigration

Follow signs to immigration and join the queue for foreign passports. Have your passport, ETA approval and accommodation address ready. Queues can be long when several flights land together, so be patient.

Step 2: Duty free and baggage

Sri Lanka has an unusual arrival duty free area before baggage reclaim, mostly selling electronics and household goods to returning residents. Collect your bags, then pass through customs. Don't bring drones without permission, and declare large amounts of currency.

Step 3: Money

There are ATMs and bank exchange counters in the arrivals hall. Rates are fair, so it's fine to change enough money for your first few days here. Read our money guide for tips on fees and tipping.

Step 4: SIM card

Mobile network counters in arrivals sell tourist SIM packages. Bring your passport and an unlocked phone, and staff will set it up for you. More in our SIM card guide.

Step 5: Getting to your hotel

Pre-booked transfer or private driver

The easiest option, particularly after a long flight. Your driver will wait in the arrivals area with a name sign. If you've hired a driver for your whole trip, they'll usually meet you here. See our driver guide.

Airport taxi counter

Official taxi counters in arrivals offer fixed-price fares to Negombo, Colombo and further afield. Confirm the price before you leave the counter.

Ride-hailing apps

PickMe and Uber operate in the area. Pick-up points can be confusing, so allow extra time and check the app instructions.

Bus

Cheap airport buses and local buses run to Colombo and Negombo, but they're not practical with heavy luggage after a long flight.

Journey times

• To Negombo: around 20–30 minutes.
• To Colombo: around 30–60 minutes via the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, depending on traffic.
• To Galle and the south coast: around 2–3 hours via the expressways.
• To Sigiriya or Dambulla: around 4 hours.
• To Kandy: around 3 hours.

First night: Negombo or straight on?

If you land in the morning, you can head straight to Sigiriya or the south coast. If you land in the afternoon or at night, spend your first night in Negombo — it's close, relaxed and has plenty of hotels at every budget. Our 10-day itinerary shows how to fit your arrival into a route.

Leaving Sri Lanka

Allow at least three hours before an international departure. Traffic around Colombo can be slow, and security queues build up at peak times. Spend or change your leftover rupees before you go through security.