Bandaranaike International Airport to Colombo
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Bandaranaike International Airport sits about 32 km from Colombo. Every option below is priced in AUD so you can compare it against what a taxi would cost you at home.
| Option | Price (AUD) | Journey time | Frequency | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private airport transfer Booked ahead, useful for a late-night arrival. |
~$45 | Varies | On demand | Door to door |
| Airport expressway bus Cheapest Runs to Colombo Fort on the expressway. Very cheap, limited luggage space. |
~$2 | 45-60 min | Every 30 min | Direct |
| PickMe or Uber Fastest The app fare is roughly a third of what the airport taxi touts will quote you. |
~$26 | 40-60 min | On demand | Door to door |
| Airport taxi counter Fixed-price counter inside arrivals. More expensive than the apps but no negotiation. |
~$42 | 40-60 min | On demand | Door to door |
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
Cheapest option: Airport expressway bus at around $2. Fastest: PickMe or Uber.
Other airports in Sri Lanka
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Hambantota - 18 km from the centre
More Sri Lanka essentials
How these comparisons are made
Routes, operators, journey times and fares come from the operators' own published timetables and pricing, compared in AUD. Public transport options are listed alongside bookable transfers because the train is often the honest answer - and where a booking platform is listed, it's one Jamie has personally booked through. Read the full editorial policy.
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