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!

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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.

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.

Transportation Companies

Air Canada

Type: Airway

Address: 06 - 02 East Tower, World Trade Centre - Colombo 01

Phone: 0094 112 542875 - 7

Fax: 0094 112 346030

Air France

Type: airway

Address: Shopping Village, Galle Face Hotel,
Colombo 03

Phone: 0094 112 327605

Air India

Type: airway

Address: YMBA Building, Sir Baron Jayathilake Avenue,
Fort.

Phone: 0094 112 325832

Austrian Airlines

Type: airway

Address: 21, Janadipathi Mawatha,
Fort

Phone: 0094 11242 4973

British Airways

Type: airway

Address: Trans Asia Hotel, Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha,
Slave Island

Phone: 0094 112 348945

Cathay Pacific

Type: airway

Address: 186, VAuxhall Street,
Slave Island

Phone: 0094 112 334145

Emirates

Type: airway

Address: Hemas House, 75 Braybrooke Place,
Slave Island

Phone: 0094 114716565

Gulf Air

Type: airway

Address: 11, York Street,
Fort.

Phone: 0094 112 440880

Indian Airlines

Type: airway

Address: Bristol Complex, 4 Bristol Street,
Fort.

Phone: 0094 112 326844

Malaysia Airlines

Type: airway

Address: Hemas Building, 81 York Street,
Fort.

Phone: 0094 112 342291

Qatar Airways

Type: airway

Address: Level 3, West Tower, World Trade Centre
Colombo 01

Phone: 0094 115 570000

Singapore Airlines

Type: airway

Address: 315, Vauxhall Street,
Slave Island.

Phone: 0094 112 300757

Sri Lankan Airlines

Type: airway

Address: East Tower, World Trade Centre,
Fort.

Phone: 0094 112 421161

Thai Airways

Type: airway

Address: Jaic Hilton, Union Place,
Slave Island

Phone: 0094 112 307100

United Airlines

Type: airway

Address: 06 - 02, east Tower, World Trade Centre,
Colombo 01

Phone: 0094 112 346026 - 9

Fax: 0094 112 346030

Airport Express

Type: taxi

Address: 65/6 Kirula Road,
Colombo 05

Phone: 0094 112 554343

Email: airtexp@sltnet.lk

City Cab

Type: taxi

Address: 422, Galle Road,
Colombo 06.

Phone: 0094 112 552222

Cool Kangaroo

Type: taxi

Address: 91 1/6, Galle Road,
Colombo 04

Phone: 0094 112 580047

Crown Cabs

Type: taxi

Address: 65 / 1 Nawala Road,
Nugegoda

Phone: 0094 112 819819

Eye Cabs

Type: taxi

Address: 37, Old Road,
Maharagama

Phone: 0094 112 766646

Namdo Transport Lanka (Pvt) Ltd

Type: taxi

Address: 85 Cotta Road,
Borella

Phone: 0094 112 688688

Swallow Quick Cab Service

Type: taxi

Address: 136 / 4 Highlevel Road,
Kirulapone

Phone: 0094 112 377677

Local time: 06:06:07 AM

Any questions: contact us

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Transportation in Colombo

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!

Colombo Transportation Guide

Getting There & Away

Air

Road

Rail

Getting Around Colombo

Buses

Taxis

Car Hire

Transportation Companies

Air Canada

Air France

Air India

Austrian Airlines

British Airways

Cathay Pacific

Emirates

Gulf Air

Indian Airlines

Malaysia Airlines

Qatar Airways

Singapore Airlines

Sri Lankan Airlines

Thai Airways

United Airlines

Airport Express

City Cab

Cool Kangaroo

Crown Cabs

Eye Cabs

Namdo Transport Lanka (Pvt) Ltd

Swallow Quick Cab Service

Local time: 06:06:07 AM

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LUXE ASIA - your connection to Sri Lanka

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