Quick answer
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) sits in Katunayake and is linked to Colombo by the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway. The airport runs its own taxi service at published, fixed rates — LKR 8,100 to Colombo 01 (Fort) in an air-conditioned car — so you can know the price before you land. Route 187 buses to Colombo Fort run 24 hours a day and take about 50 minutes. Ride-hailing apps and pre-booked transfers set their own prices, which are not published in advance.
Fixed-price private transfer
CMB Colombo City Center
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Other destinations
What actually happens after landing
The airport's arrival lobby has banks with currency exchange and ATMs, and outlets from two major mobile phone companies; compare what is on offer on the day. A post office in the arrival porch is open 24 hours.
The airport taxi service has counters in the arrival lobby and the arrival porch. Route 187 buses board at the Departure Terminal outer porch. Pre-booked transfer drivers meet you according to the instructions in your booking, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking.
Transport options explained honestly
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport taxi (counter) | LKR 8,100 to Fort — published, fixed | Official airport taxi service, A/C, fleet of over 600 vehicles |
| Airport bus (Route 187) | LKR 325 per passenger | A/C, runs 24 hours, about 50 min to Colombo Fort, LKR 325 extra for bags over 23 kg |
| Ride-hailing apps | Priced in the app, varies with demand | No published tariff |
| Pre-booked transfer | Quoted upfront when you book | Fixed price quoted at booking |
The airport publishes the whole taxi rate card by destination, plus LKR 130 per extra kilometre beyond the destination you asked for and LKR 300 per extra drop. Rates are revised periodically — check the airport's taxi page before travelling.
The expressway is tolled. We do not print a toll figure because we could not confirm the current rate from the Road Development Authority's published pages — ask your transfer company or driver whether any toll is included in the price they quote.
The airport lists ride-hailing apps as ways to get to and from the terminal.
Realistic pricing expectations
These are the airport's own published air-conditioned taxi rates, from the taxi service with counters in the arrival lobby and arrival porch:
- Colombo 01 (Fort) / Colombo 11 (Pettah): LKR 8,100
- Colombo 07 (Cinnamon Gardens): LKR 8,100
- Colombo 08–10 and 12–15 (Borella, Dematagoda, Maradana, Aluthkade, Kotahena, Grandpass, Mattakuliya): LKR 7,884
- Mount Lavinia: LKR 10,476
- Negombo: LKR 3,780
- Kandy: LKR 21,384
- Sigiriya: LKR 28,188
- Galle: LKR 23,328
Add LKR 130 per extra kilometre beyond your stated destination and LKR 300 per extra drop. These rates come from the airport operator and are revised from time to time, so treat the card on the airport's site as the live version.
We deliberately do not print figures for ride-hailing apps or private transfers: none of them publishes a tariff, and a made-up range that looks freshly checked is worse than no number at all.
Late night arrivals
The Route 187 bus to Colombo Fort runs 24 hours a day at the published LKR 325 per passenger — it does not stop at 10 PM. The airport taxi counters have a published rate card per destination; the airport does not publish counter hours or a night surcharge, so confirm both on arrival. App availability late at night is not published either.
A pre-booked transfer is the safest bet for late arrivals. If flight tracking is included in your booking, the driver adjusts for delays. If your flight lands at 2 AM, you want someone already waiting — not an app search in the dark.
If Colombo is not urgent, the published taxi rate to Negombo is LKR 3,780; staying one night there and continuing in the morning is a practical choice.
Families and luggage
If you are traveling with small children, request a child seat when booking your transfer and ask the company to confirm it — the airport's published taxi card does not list one.
For groups with several large suitcases, ask for a van rather than a sedan. The airport's published rate card covers its air-conditioned cars; van pricing is agreed at the counter or quoted upfront by a transfer company, so ask for the figure before you commit rather than relying on a number printed here.
Where you meet the driver
For a pre-booked transfer, follow the meeting instructions in your booking confirmation, and save your driver's local phone number offline in case you cannot find each other.
The airport taxi service has counters in the arrival lobby and the arrival porch; ask for the rate to your destination before you agree.
Decision helper
Choose a pre-booked transfer if: you arrive late at night, travel with family, have lots of luggage, or simply want a simpler arrival after a long flight.
Choose the airport taxi counter if: you want a rate published in advance and are comfortable with the process.
Choose a ride-hailing app if: you have a working local SIM and want to compare the app price against the counter rate.
Choose the airport bus if: you travel solo with a small bag and are budget-conscious. It runs 24 hours, so a late landing does not rule it out.
The main variable is the reliability of your ride at the airport end, so decide before you land.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Bandaranaike Airport from Colombo city center?
The airport is linked to Colombo by the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway. The airport's Route 187 bus reaches Colombo Fort in about 50 minutes.
How much does a taxi from CMB airport to Colombo cost?
The airport's own counter charges fixed, published rates: LKR 8,100 to Colombo 01 (Fort), Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya or Cinnamon Gardens, and LKR 7,884 to Borella, Maradana, Kotahena and the neighbouring Colombo 8–15 districts (Pettah is LKR 8,100). Add LKR 130 per extra kilometre beyond your stated destination. Check the airport's taxi page for the current card.
Is there an airport bus from CMB to Colombo?
Yes. Route 187 runs air-conditioned buses to Colombo Fort for LKR 325 per passenger (plus LKR 325 for bags over 23 kg). It runs 24 hours a day, takes about 50 minutes, and boards at the Departure Terminal outer porch.
Do ride-hailing apps work at Colombo airport?
The airport lists ride-hailing apps as ways to get to and from the terminal. Prices are set in the app.
Is the expressway toll included in transfer prices?
It depends on the company. We could not confirm a current toll figure from the Road Development Authority's published pages, so ask whether any toll is included in the quote you receive.
How do I get from CMB airport to Negombo?
The airport taxi counter's published rate to Negombo is LKR 3,780.
Can I get a SIM card at CMB airport?
The airport lists mobile phone connections from two major company outlets in the arrival lobby. Compare the packages on offer on the day rather than budgeting a fixed figure.
Is it safe to take a taxi from Colombo airport at night?
Use the airport's official taxi service or a pre-booked transfer, and avoid unofficial drivers who approach you in the terminal. Pre-booked transfers are the simplest option for late-night arrivals.
How much does a transfer from CMB to Kandy cost?
The airport taxi counter's published rate to Kandy is LKR 21,384 in an air-conditioned car. Private transfer companies quote their own price when you book.
Are child seats available in Sri Lankan taxis?
The airport's published taxi card does not list a child seat service. Request a child seat in advance when booking a private transfer, and ask the company to confirm it.
Bandaranaike Airport is straightforward once you know your options. Book ahead if you arrive late, carry a local phone number for your driver, and compare any quote against the airport's published taxi rate for the same destination.
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- Airport Taxi Service, counters in arrival lobby and porch, fleet over 600, A/C rates by destination, Rs 130 per extra km, Rs 300 per extra drop: https://www.airport.lk/passenger_guide/getting_arround/taxi_service.php
- Route 187 A/C bus, Rs 325, Rs 325 for baggage over 23 kg, 24 hours, about 50 minutes, Departure Terminal outer porch: 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
- Banks and ATMs in the arrival lobby, mobile phone outlets, post office open 24 hours: https://www.airport.lk/passenger_guide/arrival_info/arrival_services