Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Colombo Airport Transfer Guide
Bandaranaike International Airport is about 32 km from central Colombo. Pre-book a private transfer: your driver tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals with a name sign, at a fare fixed when you book.
- Driver tracks your flight
- Fare fixed when you book
- ✍ Name sign in arrivals
Pre-book your pickup
From
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Where are you going?
Prices are shown when you choose your car and time.
Photo: Phil Whitehouse, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 32 km from central Colombo. A pre-booked transfer is the door-to-door option: you book before you fly, the fare is fixed when you book, and the driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign.
- Distance to the centre
- About 32 km
- Cheapest way in
- Bus 187E
- Fastest
- PickMe/Uber — 45 min off-peak
Photo: Harm Jakob Tolsma on Pexels.
Where can your driver take you from CMB?
Transfers you can pre-book from Colombo airport. Tap one to see cars and prices.
CMB → Colombo centreAirport to the city centre
BookPhoto: Phil Whitehouse, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Airport to Bentota
BookAirport to Kandy
BookAirport to Negombo
BookAirport to Sigiriya
BookAirport to Unawatuna
BookAirport taxi
BookOther ways from CMB into Colombo
Journey times from the table below; traffic and time of day change them.
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PickMe / Uber | 45-75 min | Fixed app price + safest |
| Airport metered taxi | 45-75 min | Reliable metered option |
| Airport Expressway Bus 187E to Colombo Fort | 60-90 min | Cheapest option |
| Welcome Pickups / hotel transfer | 45-75 min | First-timers + families |
Fares, frequencies and tips for each option are in our Colombo airport transport guide.
Skip the taxi queue in Colombo
Your driver tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals in Colombo.
From landing to the door
How your Colombo pickup works
1
2
3Ride straight there
No taxi queue and no haggling: the fare was fixed when you booked.
Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.
One driver, door to door
From CMB your driver takes you straight to Colombo's centre, the station or out to resorts and towns in the region, with no changes on the way.
- Your driver tracks your flight and waits if you land late
- Fare fixed when you book
- Met in arrivals with a name sign
Sketch, not to scale.
Complete your trip
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Photo: Gustavo Fring on Pexels.
Data when you land
An eSIM gets you online to message your driver without roaming charges.
Airalo eSIMsColombo airport transfer FAQ
How far is Bandaranaike International Airport from central Colombo?+
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 32 km from central Colombo. Fastest way in: PickMe/Uber — 45 min off-peak.
What is the cheapest way from CMB into Colombo?+
Bus 187E. Our Colombo airport transport guide compares every option.
Can I pre-book a private transfer from CMB?+
Yes. Welcome Pickups operates in Colombo: you book before you fly, the fare is fixed when you book, and the driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign.
Ready for Colombo?
Your driver tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals in Colombo.
Arriving in Colombo
Airport transfers in other cities: