Transportation in Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka's largest city, and as such most international flights will arrive at the international airport here. There are also many transport options available to other regions within Sri Lanka, and getting from Colombo to areas such as the Central Hills region or the Cultural Triangle is relatively straightforward.

Although driving is an option, we'd recommend you use other forms of transport to get around Colombo. Not just will you see more, you may just save yourself a heart attack in the process!

This Colombo Transportation Guide gives detailed information about transport options both within the region and the city itself. Underneath you will also find information for various transport providers servicing Colombo. General country information with regards to transportation can be found on our Sri Lanka Transportation Guide. To get a good insight into how the city of Colombo is laid out, plus exciting things to see and do; make sure you check out our Colombo Destination Guide, which also details which districts are located where - a handy resource for when you get here!

Colombo Transportation Guide

Getting There & Away

Air

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), located 32 km from Colombo's city centre, is Sri Lanka's main international airport and transport hub. More than 35 international and domestic airlines service the airport, including Sri Lanka Airways, the national carrier. Buses and trains provide transport links into the city, although most new arrivals will probably prefer to take a share taxi, which can be arranged at the Airport Taxi Booking Counter.

For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.

Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Sri Lanka.

Colombo flights

Road

Although there is an extensive road network throughout Sri Lanka, many of the roads are quite old and in poor condition. However, all the main highways generally link Colombo to other cities, whether the coastal towns of the south and west, or the inland cities of the north. Buses originating in Colombo offer a broad coverage of the country, and are often the best way of getting around. Intercity buses are generally the most comfortable. Kandy is roughly 2.5 hours away by bus.

Rail

The comprehensive rail network links Colombo to most of the major centres of the country via nine rail lines. The services are run by Sri Lanka Railways, and reservations made the day before travel are essential. The trains from Colombo leave from Fort Railway Station, which also features a tourist office. Kandy is approximately 2 hours away.

Getting Around Colombo

Buses

Although buses are cheap, this is probably the only thing they have going for them. The combination of heat, overcrowding and the drivers' often reckless disregard for safety make them a nightmare for most visitors. If you do choose to travel by bus, you are able to buy tickets on board from the conductor.

Taxis

Most visitors to Colombo get around by taxi, as they are far more comfortable than buses and also tend to be quite cheap. They can either be hailed on the street or found outside hotels, especially the larger ones. Meters are not very common, so prices should be negotiated before beginning the journey. Auto-rickshaws, which are little three-wheel contraptions, provide another transport option. Cheaper than taxis, they do tend to expose passengers to all the dust, fumes and noise of the streets.

Car Hire

Whilst renting a car is possible, we do not recommend it due to the hectic and often dangerous driving common in Colombo. A better option is to hire a chauffeured vehicle, which is normally not much more expensive than hiring a car anyhow. Most accommodation providers will be able to help in this regard, as will the car company listed below.

Airway

airway

taxi