Many international flights land at Bandaranaike Airport late at night, and your onward transport options narrow after dark. Here is what the airport itself publishes.
What is still running after midnight
| Option | Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport taxi counter | Counters in the arrival lobby and arrival porch | Published rate card by destination — LKR 8,100 to Fort; confirm counter hours on arrival |
| Airport bus (Route 187) | Yes, 24 hours | A/C, LKR 325 per passenger, about 50 min to Colombo Fort |
| Pre-booked transfer | Yes | Price fixed at booking; flight tracking if included in your booking |
| Ride-hailing apps | Listed by the airport | Prices set in the app; check availability on arrival |
Fixed-price private transfer
CMB Colombo City Center
From€26for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €37 per vehicle, about €9 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
One correction worth making loudly, because it is repeated all over the internet: the 187 bus does not stop at 10 PM. The airport publishes it as running 24 hours a day. If you land at 2 AM with a small bag and are heading to Fort, it is still an option.
The real problem with late-night arrivals
Ride-hailing apps and the taxi counter are the places where a late arrival gets uncertain: counter hours and vehicle choice are not published, and app availability varies. If you are a family or group needing a van, availability is not guaranteed.
A pre-booked transfer removes this uncertainty. If flight tracking is included, the driver follows your actual landing time rather than the scheduled one; confirm this and the waiting time when you book.
Safety considerations
Avoid accepting rides from unofficial drivers who approach you inside the terminal. Use the official taxi counter or your pre-booked service. Keep your accommodation address written down or saved offline.
The Negombo alternative
If reaching Colombo in the early hours does not serve any practical purpose, consider staying in Negombo for the night. The airport taxi counter's published rate to Negombo is LKR 3,780. You can continue to Colombo or elsewhere in the morning, in daylight.
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- Taxi counters in the arrival lobby and arrival porch, rates (Fort 8,100, Negombo 3,780): https://www.airport.lk/passenger_guide/getting_arround/taxi_service.php
- Route 187 A/C bus, 24 hours a day, Rs 325, about 50 minutes to Colombo Fort: https://www.airport.lk/passenger_guide/getting_arround/luxury_bus_service
- Ride-hailing apps listed under getting to and from the airport: https://www.airport.lk/passenger_guide/getting_arround/to_&_from_airport
When a private transfer from CMB is the right choice
- Landing after the last train or bus: the driver is booked to your flight number and tracks the real arrival time, so a delay does not cancel the pickup.
- Arrivals after midnight: no searching for a rank or a night surcharge; the price you booked is the price you pay.
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Colombo City Center is from €37, about €9 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
CMB → Colombo City Center from €26Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.
Fixed-price private transfer
CMB Colombo City Center
From€26for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €37 per vehicle, about €9 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
Are taxis available at Colombo airport after midnight?
The airport taxi service operates counters in the arrival lobby and arrival porch with a published rate card fixed by destination. The airport does not publish counter hours or a night surcharge, so confirm both on arrival.
Do ride-hailing apps work at CMB airport at night?
Ride-hailing apps are listed by the airport as options. Availability late at night is not published, so check the app when you land.
Is it safe to travel from Colombo airport at night?
Stick to official taxis or pre-booked transfers and avoid unofficial drivers approaching you in the terminal.
What time does the last airport bus leave CMB?
It does not have a last service — the airport publishes Route 187 as running 24 hours a day, at LKR 325 per passenger, reaching Colombo Fort in about 50 minutes.