There are several airports in Sri Lanka. The largest is called Bandaranaike. It is an international airport in the city of Colombo. (Western part of the island). This is where planes arrive from Russia.
I will tell you about the airport itself and what else is convenient at Bandaranaike airport
Title: Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
There are other names for this airport: Katunayake International Airport (Katunayke), airport in Negombo. They are all one and the same airport.
Time zone GMT (winter / summer): +5: 30 / + 5: 30
The geographical coordinates of the airport: Latitude (7.18), Longitude (79.88)
Location: 35 km north of Colombo
Number of terminals: 1
Postal address: Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, Sri Lanka
Airport Directorate Phone: +94 11 225 26 66
Telephone airport information desk: +94 11 225 28 61
Official airport website: www.airport.lk
The airport is small and spacious. Which is very convenient for tourists - it has only one terminal. So, it is impossible to be mistaken: both arrival and departure are in the same place.
The airport has comfortable conditions for tourists. There are toilets, showers, rest rooms, rooms for children, a smoking room. Snack bars and restaurants. Prayer room. Shops, banks, exchangers, telephone communications, ordering a transfer, taxi, excursions. Everything you need for a comfortable arrival at the international airport.
Airport layout Arrivals hall
Airport layout Departure hall
How to get from / to Bandaranaike airport
The airport is located 35 km from the city of Colombo.
The easiest way to get to Colombo is by taxi. Parking lot next to the airport exit. The approximate cost of a taxi ride to Colombo is 1500 LAN. rupees / 540 rub. (car), 2000 LAN. rupees / 720 rub. (minivan) or 1000 LAN. rupees / 360 rub. (knock Knock). Information updated for June 2015.
If you like to plan everything in advance and want to be met at the airport, then you need to order a transfer in advance. You can do this online through the form below. We used their services, we liked everything. At the time of booking, you need to pay about 15% of the transfer cost, pay the rest of the amount in cash to the driver.
By expressway you can get from the airport to Colombo by express bus number 187 direction Colombo - Katunayake or or by mini bus number 187.
The express bus fare is 120 rupees, luggage is free. The ticket is sold by the conductor on the bus itself. Travel time ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the congestion of the highway - it takes longer to go in the evening rush hour).
The express bus starts at 5:30, the last bus from the airport at 21:00, the last bus from Colombo at 20:30.
The express bus stop is marked on the map above (hover over the red circles and press). The number and direction of the bus is not always indicated, so check on the spot with local residents (employees), is it the same bus. The final stop of the bus is Central bus station Central Bus station. Colombo Fort railway station is nearby.
The minibus runs around the clock on a regular road. Travel time is an hour and a half. The final one is Colombo Fort railway station.
From Colombo to the airport you can get the same buses.
Many tourists do not stop in Colombo, but immediately go to rest (30 minutes by taxi) to the beach in Negombo. Taxi to Negombo costs 1380 - 1518 Sri Lankan rupees (Currency of Sri Lanka. There will be a link here)
If you do decide to stay in Colombo, then check with your hotel or landlord. In 99 cases, they are ready to provide a transfer.
What else can you do at Bandaranaike Airport
The airport is a neutral zone. To leave it in the country is needed. Sri Lanka is a visa state.
Visa
You can also open a visa at Bandaranaike airport. Although it's best to do it at home
- at the consulate of the State of Sri Lanka
- or obtained via the Internet on the official website of Sri Lanka
But the cases are different. I'll tell you mine:
When going to Sri Lanka, check your passport in advance. When opening a visa for Sri Lankans, the rule is: "The validity of the passport after the day of your arrival from the state of Sri Lanka must be at least 6 months."
I didn’t look at my passport (I didn’t have it for 6 months), so I was worried about opening a visa. I called the consulate, where they offered me different options:
- you can come to the consulate for an appointment and receive a document according to which a visa will be opened for you at the airport
- you need to make a new passport and get a visa at the same airport. But for some reason the Sri Lankans do not like this option. Maybe they don't want to create a queue at the airport (as they explain themselves).
I chose the option with a new passport, but still clarified whether there would be problems on the spot. There were no problems. Queues too. It took 5 minutes to get a visa at the airport.
So, you can get a visa at the airport, but it's better to clarify the rules. Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and entry rules are subject to change.
mobile connection
At the airport, you can buy a SIM card from the local telephone company. So the card of the Sri Lankan mobile operator DialogEverything costs $ 10. This money is immediately credited to the account as a deposit. The cost of a call to Russia is about 7 cents per minute. There is access to an international line (* 100 # country code and subscriber's house number).
There is access to the mobile Internet. It is convenient to determine your location using a GPS map and look for places of interest.
A call to Ukraine costs about $ 4 per minute - you have to buy another card. Perhaps this is the mobile operator AirTel. Check on the spot!
Money exchange
It is very convenient to exchange most of the money at the airport. Bandaranaike has the best course. When exchanging, you will be given a check and a document (something like an invoice). Save these documents.
After the trip, as a rule, we have local money in our hands and it is very difficult to change it for rubles or dollars. Either impossible or very low rate in the city. At the airport, you can exchange the remaining rupees at the same rate as you changed upon arrival. You will need to present your receipt and invoice.
Buy souvenirs
There are souvenir shops with teas, sweets, souvenirs, and national clothes at the airport. But the prices are no longer the same as in the city, but higher.
You can follow the changes in timetable Colombo Bandaranaike airport online, constantly being aware of the flight schedule. At the Colombo Airport Bandaranaike, the flight schedule can be found on the online departure and arrival board, in the help desk or by calling the airport.
* The aircraft schedule indicates the local time for each airport.
Be careful! The aircraft schedule is subject to change. Check by phone
Buy cheap flights from Colombo Airport Bandaranaike
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Hotels near Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
You can also book a room in hotels near Colombo Bandaranaike Airport and in the city center.
VIP lounge at Colombo Airport Bandaranaike
Many airports have so-called VIP lounges for waiting for flights at the airport. Book VIP lounges online VIP lounges at airports.
Colombo Airport Taxi Bandaranaike
How to get to Colombo Bandaranaike Airport, you can book an online taxi to the airport or from the airport to the city center Taxi to the airport.
Car rental at Colombo Airport Bandaranaike
If you need to rent a car, you can rent a car online Rent a car.
Travel insurance
In order to buy travel insurance, you can use the price comparison service from our partners Insurance.
Get a visa at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Many passengers only at the airport think about a visa to this or that country. But you can get a visa at home without leaving your home
Sri Lanka popular destination domestic tourists. It is more convenient to get to the island by plane. As well as moving on it over long distances. International airports are the gateway and face of the country. More about their work: location, customs clearance, reviews.
Airports on the map
Sri Lanka has 3 airports with international status... These include:
- Bandaranaike - in Colombo.
- Ratmalana - south of Colombo. The airport has an international status, but there are regular international passenger flights to the airport does not accept. It is used for domestic flights, as well as for charter flights and cargo transportation.
- Mattala Rajapaksa - in Hambantota.
Domestic airports:
- Kogalla.
- Ampara.
- China Bay.
- Vavuniya.
- Jaffna.
There are also other terminals, much smaller. Domestic flights operate in a charter format called air taxi.
The northern part of the island has 3 airports. There are 2 each in the west and east. There are also 2 airports in the south. There is a mountainous area in the central part, so there are no airfields.
International airports
Not far from the city of Negombo is the Bandaranaike airport. To the city of Colombo from him to go 35 km. south facing. Location - in the western part of the island. Therefore, it is better to fly here for those tourists who are planning their vacation in this part of the country.
Some tourists unknowingly arrive at Ratmalan Airport. This is a problem for those who trust Google, since it gives out the nearest airport to Colombo.
The second international airport, Mattala Rajapaksa, is located in the southeast of the island. The complex is large, but only Flydubai flies here from foreign companies. Tourism is not so actively developing in this part of the island.
Colombo (Bandaranaike airport)
Among the airports in Sri Lanka, Bandaranaike should be distinguished. This is the main international airport. It is distinguished by coziness and high comfort for visitors. At the same time, the Asian bustle is inherent in it.
Airport official website: www.airport.lk
Using the example of this busiest airport, we will give information about the work, customs control and visitors' reviews.
Customs clearance
Documents that you need to have with you:
- International passport valid for at least 3 months before the end of the trip;
- Flights;
- Insurance;
- Money;
- Certificate from the bank if more than $ 10 thousand is imported per person.
Per person is allowed to import 20 kg. If the suitcase is one for several persons, then its weight should not exceed 32 kg. An extra charge will follow. Hand luggage - up to 5 kg. per person. Upon departure, everything is carefully checked.
Customs restrictions:
- No more than $ 10 thousand in cash.
- Valuable equipment and jewelry are declared.
- Tobacco products are subject to a duty of 7 rupees per cigarette or 1,300 rupees per 1 kg. tobacco.
- You can import 6 kg. tea per person.
- Allowed to import 2 bottles of wine or 1.5 liters. strong alcohol.
- Cosmetics are allowed for an amount not exceeding $ 250.
It is forbidden to import: drugs, ammunition, weapons, pornography, gold.
Export prohibited:
- Antiques;
- Ancient manuscripts and other cultural values;
- Precious stones;
- Animals;
- Plants.
Online scoreboard
Airport plan
Visa at the airport
You can apply for a visa in advance via the Internet. In this case, it will cost $ 30.
Not everyone, for whatever reason, manages to get a visa in advance. But you can also get it at the airport. But it will cost more. The procedure is simple and not tedious. However, the latter depends on the queue.
Rules for obtaining a visa upon arrival:
- Registration on a first come, first served basis.
- The cost is $ 35 per person. Children under 12 years old - free.
- Confirmation of cash for accommodation - in individual cases.
If you have to apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport, then you must definitely have a return ticket in paper form. If it is not there, the airline may not board your flight to Sri Lanka. In other words, there is a risk of not flying away.
Watch a video of the walk through Colombo airport:
Reviews
Below is information from visitors to the airport in Colombo. People felt the atmosphere and appreciated the quality of the services. Travelers have something to compare with, so their opinion is worth listening to.
Alexander Ivanichev, 34 years old
The flight arrived in the morning, so there were very few people. Luggage is handed out in a spacious hall, and the building itself is spacious. The toilets are basically standard, there is no depressing picture.
There are many kiosks at the exit from the airport building. There you can also find a currency exchange and buy a SIM card for communication. By the way, the Internet is distinguished on the island by high speed.
It is better to change money at the airport, since the rate is too high at the hotel. By the way, keep the check. When you are going home, you can exchange money back, if any, at the same rate.
But upon departure, the picture was somewhat different. The entrance is located in a different place. There are many duty-free shops, as well as cafes and restaurants for every taste. However, everything is distinguished by a high price. In principle, nothing surprising for a busy international airport.
As for the hall itself, everything is neat, no worse than in the USA or Saudi Arabia... However, there is a sense of the Hindu lack of culture, since there are many of them. Some even sleep on the floor.
Passport control did not go without a queue. Waiting room with metal chairs, quite comfortable. It is somewhat reminiscent of Dubai Airport.
Positive points:
- You can easily find a cafe with good food.
- There are many shops with various products, which is interesting for tourists.
Negative sides:
- The prices are higher compared to the rest of the country. But this is the case almost all over the world.
- Queues, which is also predictable for an international airport.
Marina Ilyintseva, 41 years old
By the nature of my profession, I have to fly a lot. Therefore, I have seen many airports. As for Columbo, he unexpectedly surprised me in a good way!
Advantages:
- Friendly staff;
- Thoughtfulness;
- Large waiting room;
- Comfortable gates.
Disadvantages:
- Air conditioners do not work everywhere (perhaps they did not have time to service).
- Expensive trade area.
The main airport is bustling. It will seem unpleasant for those who have only visited American or European countries. But one has only to get used to the Asian rhythm and everything is fine.
Passport control is fast, especially with a pre-issued electronic permit. All that remains is to fill out the migration card.
The shops are dark. The prices are pleasant. However, not buying a TV on vacation, and even in Sri Lanka? You can also find banks for currency exchange here. The rates at the airport are low, so don't miss the moment. In the future, you can lose money on the island.
Everything is close at the airport, so you don't have to wander around. Some kind of kind comfort is felt. There are no labyrinths, as well as large corridors.
Duty free accepts only dollars. The remaining rupees can only be spent in cafes or to buy souvenirs.
Mattala Rajapaksa airport
In the southern part of the island, a whole agricultural complex was built - Mattala Rajapaksa. But despite the scale of construction, the investment was not justified. Therefore, the complex is mainly used for domestic flights.
Airport official website: http://www.airport.lk/mria/index.php#page\u003dpage-3
Nearest big City located on the coast - this is Hambantona. Up to 26 km, which takes about half an hour by taxi. Colombo is 262 km away, which is equivalent to 4.5 hours drive.
This airport can be convenient for the following reasons:
- For recreation in the southern part of the country.
- When the flight to Sri Lanka will cost less to this airport. But given the cost of tickets from Flydubai, this is unlikely for a domestic consumer. But, depending on where to fly from.
- For domestic flights from the western part of the island to sightseeing. For example, to visit Yala, it is easier to fly from Colombo to Mattala and then go by car. The road from Mattala will take 2 hours and from Colombo - 5.
Everyone will like it inside without exception - the building is too superbly built.
Online scoreboard
Ratmalana is a domestic airport serving the city of Colombo. It was the first and only international airport in Sri Lanka before the opening of Bandaranaike at Katunaike in 1967. To date, the airport has been opened for international and charter flights. The airport is located 15 km south of the city of Colombo.
Airport official website: http://www.airport.lk/rma/index.php#page\u003dpage-3
Koggala airport
The first flight from Koggala airport took off in 1942. So it is one of the oldest airports in the country. But its runway was laid after the end of the war. Koggala Airport serves the Sri Lankan Air Force.
You can get to the airport from the city by taxi. The complex is used not only for military aviation, but also for domestic flights. The country's government has a plan to modernize the complex so that it meets international requirements. Perhaps over time, it will receive international flights.
Finally, we offer a review of the top 10 for viewing best beaches Sri Lanka:
Colombo Airport Official Name (CMB) - international Airport Bandaranaike. On english language this is Bandaranaike International Airport. Today, Bandaranaike is the most important airport Sri Lanka, which receives almost 42 thousand flights a year and almost 5 million passengers. In addition, Colombo Airport handles over 170,000 tons of cargo annually.
The current operator of Sri Lanka's main airport is Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Colombo Airport was built during World War II and served as a base for the RAF. It is still used for military purposes, but today this airport is mainly used for civil aviation... Colombo Bandaranaike Airport is very important for Sri Lanka. The airport currently has 4 gates with 39 check-in counters and 3 cargo terminals. It serves 25 airlines, including well-known airlines such as Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, as well as major Asian airlines Indian Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines and Emirates.
Despite the fact that Colombo Airport does not fully meet international standards, it has received numerous awards from various airlines and magazines.
Colombo airport on the map of Sri Lanka
Despite the fact that the airport is attributed to the city of Colombo, in fact, it is located quite far from this city, about 35 km north of the capital of Sri Lanka. Much closer to the Bandaranaike airport is the city of Negombo, but in general this airport is located on the territory of the Katunayak village.Colombo airport online scoreboard
How to get from Bandaranaike airport to Colombo
To get from Bandaranaike Airport to Colombo city, you can take a taxi or bus. It is also possible to rent a car, but it is not as easy to do in Sri Lanka as in many other countries of the world.
The taxi fare from Bandaranaike Airport to the capital of Sri Lanka is around Rs 3,000. If you want to take the expressway, there is usually an additional charge of Rs. 300. Taxi cars are waiting for passengers at any time of the day, but you can always order a taxi in advance on the Kiwi-Taxi website.
Bus airport - Colombo
If you do not want to spend a lot of money on the trip from Colombo airport to the capital of Sri Lanka, then you can use the bus.Buses from the airport to Colombo run every half hour from 05:30 to 18:30 and a one-way trip costs just Rs 130. Colombo Main Bus Station is about 45 minutes' drive away. You need to take Express Bus 187. This bus travels from Colombo International Airport on the new expressway, which saves a lot of time.
After 6:30 pm some air-conditioned private buses 187 may wait outside the airport for tourists, but they operate on their own. That is, how lucky you are.
The bus goes to the main bus station of Colombo, where you can change to another bus and get to your desired place in Sri Lanka. There is also a train station nearby, from where you can travel by train.
Services and amenities at Colombo airport
As with any international airport, Bandaranaike Airport offers travelers different places to satisfy their hunger or thirst. In the departure hall, Sri Lankan Airlines even has its own restaurant with delicious cuisine. It serves national and international cuisine. Sri Lankan Airlines Restaurant offers hot and cold drinks. Of course there are other restaurants and cafes as well.
Six banks offer passengers the option to exchange currency at Colombo Airport. All exchangers can be found in the arrivals hall. So you won't have any problems with currency exchange before further travel around the island. Although the exchange rate in exchange offices at Colombo airport is not the most favorable, it is still noticeably more profitable than in most hotels in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike Airport has a variety of shops to help you pass the time and shop for something interesting. For example, you can buy local souvenirs, handmade fabrics and other goods here. Duty free shops are also waiting for guests and offer a variety of electronic products, spirits, jewelry and perfumes.
In case you decide to go on vacation with children, Colombo Airport will provide special facilities for younger guests. Here children can play or watch cartoons.
A medical center can be found in the arrival hall of Colombo Airport. In addition to trained nurses and emergency doctors, the medical center also provides the ability to quickly transport to the hospital in case of an emergency.
Colombo airport history
Finally, I would like to tell you briefly about the history of the main airport of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's civil aviation industry was born in the 1930s with the construction of an airfield at Ratmalan. Bandaranaike Airport was built by the British in the mid-1940s primarily as an Air Force base and supply center for aircraft used in World War II. With assistance from the Government of Canada, the airport was upgraded to serve 150,000 passengers a year in 1968. In 1981, with the assistance of the Government of the Netherlands, the Airport Master Plan was developed. The Japanese government assisted in the further development of the airport with all the necessary facilities to ensure an annual passenger turnover of 3.5 million people. Colombo Airport reached such a passenger turnover in 1988. The Japanese government also helped expand the airport and create a modern terminal building with 8 contact gates and 14 check-in stands. The project was completed in 2005 and provided the airport with the capacity to handle 6 million passengers a year.
After the end of the internal conflict in Sri Lanka, which impeded economic growth for about 30 years, in 2009 the economy of Sri Lanka began to grow in many ways. Income from foreign tourists in 2010 increased by almost 50 percent compared to 2009. Given the increased demand, a new airport terminal was designed to handle an additional 9 million passengers per year. With this expansion, the airport's capacity was increased to 15 million passengers per year.
Taxi
A taxi ride to the center of Colombo will cost approximately LKR 1,500. To save money, you can take a minivan and divide the cost for 5-6 people - 2500-3000 LKR for all. The trip will take 30-60 minutes depending on traffic congestion.
Bus
Between the airport and central bus station Averywatta from 5:30 to 21:00 regular bus number 187 runs. Bus stop located at the exit from the arrivals area in the southern part of the parking lot. The trip will take from 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic congestion. The interval of movement is 15-30 minutes, the fare is 120 LKR. Before railway station there is bus no. 240, the trip will cost 50 LKR. The prices on the page are for September 2019.
A train
Katunayaka South station is about 1 km from the airport and trains to the train station depart from there. You can get to it on foot or by tuk-tuk. Travel to the city costs 100 LKR.
Transfer
The fastest and most comfortable way to get there. You need to choose a car of a suitable class and capacity in advance, and the driver will meet you at the airport with a nameplate. The cost indicated when booking will be fixed: for example, traffic jams will not affect it.
