Colombo Airport to the city

How far is the airport from the city?

The airport’s full name is Bandaranaike International Airport, but most people call it Colombo airport or Katunayake. It is about 35 km from Galle Face Green by road.

• About 25 km of the drive is on the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, a fast toll road. It ends at the Kelani river, and the last part goes through the city streets of Fort.
• With empty roads the drive takes about 40 minutes. With normal traffic, plan for 45 to 75 minutes.
• It takes longer in the weekday rush hours and in heavy rain, when some Colombo roads flood.
• A new raised road (a flyover) from the expressway towards the port and Galle Face is being built. It was not open in October 2026, and the part that reaches Galle Face is not expected before mid-2027.

The ways to get to the city

PickMe and Uber from the airport

PickMe (a Sri Lankan app) and Uber both pick up at the airport. The airport lists them as official ways to reach the city. They were allowed in 2023, after passengers complained about high taxi prices and people pushing them to take taxis.

1. Get a SIM card first (see below). The counters are right after customs, so you can buy one before you book.
2. Book when you have your bags. Choose a car that fits your group and your luggage.
3. Follow the app to the pickup point. Uber says the pickup point may not be at your nearest exit, so follow the directions in the app.
4. Check the number plate before you get in.

In 2026, travel guides report about 4,000 to 6,000 rupees ($12 to $18) for a small car to central Colombo. A bigger car costs more, and so does a busy time. When Uber started airport pickups in 2023, it said the price in the app already includes the airport parking fee and the toll. With PickMe, ask the driver about the toll before you leave.

The airport taxi counters

The Airport Taxi Service has counters in the arrivals hall and at the arrivals porch, and the airport company supervises it. The prices are fixed. For an air-conditioned car in October 2026:

• 8,100 rupees (about $25) to Colombo 1 (Fort), Colombo 2 and 3 (where Galle Face Green is), Colombo 4, Colombo 7 and Colombo 11 (Pettah).
• 8,640 rupees to Colombo 5 and 6 (Havelock Town and Wellawatte).
• 130 rupees for each extra km, and 300 rupees for each extra stop.

It costs more than an app, but you do not need a phone or data, and you pay a known price. Before you pay, ask two things: is the expressway toll included, and can you pay by card?

Hotel pickups

Many hotels can send a car to meet you. Ask for the price when you book the room. It often costs more than an app, but it is the easiest choice after a long flight.

The driver can wait inside the arrivals hall with your name on a board. Send the hotel your flight number, so the driver knows if you land late.

Bus 187: the cheapest way

Bus 187 is an air-conditioned bus from the airport to Colombo Fort railway station. It runs 24 hours a day and takes about 50 minutes.

• Where: it leaves from the outer porch of the departure building, not from arrivals. Ask airport staff to show you the way.
• Price: the airport says 325 rupees per person, plus 325 rupees for a bag over 23 kg. Bus fares went up in July 2026, so you may pay a little more (about 350 to 365 rupees). Carry small notes.
• Then: Galle Face Green is a 20 to 25 minute walk from Fort station, or about 250 rupees by meter tuk-tuk. See how to get to Galle Face Green.

The bus is great value if you travel light. With big bags, small children or after a night flight, a car is much easier.

Is there a train?

Not one that helps. There is a small railway station at Katunayake, but trains to Colombo are few and slow, and the old airport express train is not running. Take the bus or a car.

Who pays the expressway toll?

The toll for a car is 400 rupees for the whole expressway, from Katunayake to the Kelani river. The driver pays it at the toll booth.

• Uber: the app price should already include it.
• PickMe, the taxi counter and hotel cars: ask before you go. If it is not included, you pay the driver 400 rupees on top.

Arriving at night

Many flights land late at night or very early in the morning. You can still get to the city:

• Bus 187 runs all night.
• Uber works 24 hours, but at night you may wait longer for a car.
• The taxi counters are in the arrivals hall. If you cannot buy a SIM card, they are the simplest choice.

At night, a car is safer and easier than the bus. If you land very late, book a hotel pickup before you fly. Say no to people who come up to you offering a taxi, and go to the counter or use an app instead. The UK government warns that people often drive badly at night and accidents are common. It also says some women travellers have been harassed at night.

Before you leave the airport

Do these two things inside the arrivals hall, before you walk out to the cars.

Get a SIM card

A local SIM card is cheap, and you need data for PickMe, Uber and maps. Two phone companies, Dialog and SLT-Mobitel, have counters in the arrivals hall, right after customs.

• Tourist packs cost about 800 to 2,500 rupees ($2.50 to $7.50), with 15 to 50 GB of data and some local calls. Bigger packs cost more.
• Some packs last 7 days and some 30 days, so pick one that covers your trip.
• Bring your passport. The staff check it before they turn on the SIM.
• If your phone takes an eSIM, you can ask for one instead.

Get some rupees

Sri Lanka’s money is the rupee (written Rs or LKR). In October 2026, 1 US dollar was about 330 rupees.

• There are bank exchange counters and ATMs in the arrivals area.
• Get enough cash for the first day or two. Tuk-tuks, buses, street food and small shops usually want cash.
• Ask for some small notes (100, 500 and 1,000 rupees). Drivers and stalls often have no change for big notes.
• Cards work in hotels, malls, supermarkets and bigger restaurants. Card fraud happens, so use ATMs inside banks or hotels when you can.
• If you carry more than 15,000 US dollars (or the same in other money) in cash, you must tell customs when you arrive.

Once you are in the city, our guide to getting around Colombo explains tuk-tuks, apps, buses and trains. If you have a day to explore, try our one day in Colombo plan, which ends with the sunset at Galle Face Green.