How to get to Colombo - complete instructions

An overview of how to visit and how to get to Colombo

Colombo is the main transport hub of the country. Next to it is the main international airport of the country Bandaranaike, and almost in the center is the main railway station, and several bus stations. In addition to the fact that it is through Colombo airport that tourists arrive in the country, when moving around the country, it is here that it is most convenient to transfer from train to train or bus when you move between different parts of the island.

To begin with, here are brief instructions about directions:

• From cities of the Russian Federation and other countries. Definitely fly, there are no other options. The cheapest way is to fly with transfers by budget airlines, for example AirArabia. There are other options for connecting flights with excellent airlines Qatar, Etihad and others, all of which are much cheaper than direct flights from Russia.
• From Colombo Airport. Taxi or tuk-tuk with the order through the application (more reliable and cheaper), or on the spot in the parking lot or at the counters. The cheapest bus is No. 187, runs often.
• From Negombo. The cheapest commuter trains, or buses from Negombo bus station, run fast express trains and regular slow city trains. There are a lot of buses, come to the station and leave, trains are scheduled up to 8 times a day.
• From other cities and resorts in Sri Lanka. There are direct buses from almost anywhere in Colombo. There are only rare exceptions like Arugam Bay or Delft Island, but from there it is easy to get there during the day with a transfer. There are also direct trains from many resorts.

And now more about each of the ways to get to Colombo:

By plane

The most convenient way to get to Colombo by plane is through Sri Lanka's main international airport Bandaranaike, located 35 kilometers away, usually referred to simply as Colombo Airport (Bandaranaike International, also called Katunayake International Airport, Negombo International Airport, Colombo International Airport, site http://www.airport.lk, airport on the Colombo interactive map). Another international airport Mattala Rajapaksa International is located far in the south of the country and accepts only rare charter flights.

Direct regular flights to Colombo Airport from the Russian Federation are rarely carried out seasonally, mainly charters. Nevertheless, at any time of the year it is inexpensive and fast to get from Moscow, St. Petersburg and the regions by connecting flights. The flight from Moscow takes 9-15 hours, depending on the time of docking. One of the most popular and inexpensive airlines is AirArabia. This is a low-cost carrier (like our Pobeda), making a transfer in Sharjah. If you are flying this a/c, you can read our transfer instructions in Sharzhde here...

You can find and book flights to Sri Lanka on the websites Aviasales, Trip.com and other aggregators, or through this Aviasales search form:

The price of flights from Moscow to Colombo:

ЦЕНА	ПЕРЕСАДКИ	АВИАКОМПАНИЯ	ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА	ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ
Купить от 45278 ₽	1 пересадка		18.06.2026	16.07.2026
Купить от 54858 ₽	1 пересадка		09.07.2026	16.07.2026
Купить от 54684 ₽	1 пересадка		09.08.2026	08.09.2026
Купить от 51095 ₽	2 пересадки		25.09.2026	08.10.2026
Купить от 52732 ₽	1 пересадка		07.10.2026	22.10.2026
Купить от 51416 ₽	2 пересадки		30.11.2026	21.12.2026

How to get from Colombo Airport to the city

• Taxi

  • 💰 Price: from 3000 rupees / 9.06 USD
  • 🗓 Working hours: around the clock
  • 🕐 Travel time: from 50 minutes

  

  The most reliable way is to use an official airport taxi or order through the Uber app or the local PickMe app, which even features tuk-tuks, they are cheaper by about a third of the car. The cost of an official taxi is fixed, depending on the location in Colombo from 7500 to 10000 rupees (22.66 USD, see currency of Sri Lanka, exchange rate), cheaper via Uber - from 3000 rupees (9.06). The trip takes about 1 hour to the center and can be up to 2 hours to the Mount Lavinia area.

  You can go outside the airport and negotiate with a taxi driver on the street or hire a three-wheeled tuk-tuk, but this is at your own risk. The cost of such trips should be negotiated in advance, and for a trip by tuk-tuk, you can bargain for a price twice as low as an airport taxi.

  Well, if you don't care much about the price of the issue, and comfort is a priority, then instead of a taxi, you can use the service of ordering tourist transfers. This is an analogue of a taxi, but with an increased level of service, a meeting at the airport with a sign, and Russian-language support. You can check prices and order on the websites Kiwitaxi or Intui.travel, or via the search form:

• Bus

  • 💰 Price: from 290 rupees / 8.76 USD
  • 🗓 Opening hours: around the clock, but rarely at night
  • 🕐 Travel time: from 50 minutes

  

  There is a bus route No. 187 from the airport to Colombo. It departs often during the day, and about 1 time per hour at night, 50 minutes on the way. The cost is 290 rupees (0.88 USD), plus they can request payment for large luggage. Their stop is located between the domestic and international terminals, it is to the right of the exit from the international terminal about 50 meters away. That is, exit the terminal after arrival, and immediately walk along the building to the right, do not miss the stop (parking of 187 buses on the map).

  

  There are even cheaper city and large buses No. 187, they cost from 100 rupees. But they depart from the Avariwatta bus station 2 kilometers from the airport exit (Averivatta bus station on the map).

  In Colombo, bus No.187 arrives in the city center in the Pettah area at a stop near the main bus station and railway station (bus stop 187 in Colombo on the map). You can get to the hotel in Colombo from here on foot, by city buses or call a tuk-tuk through applications.

• The train

  • 💰 Price: from 290 rupees / 8.76 USD
  • 🗓 Opening hours: around the clock, but rarely at night
  • 🕐 Travel time: from 50 minutes

  

  Approximately three kilometers from the arrival terminal is the railway station Katunayaka South (station on the map), from where you can get to Colombo, Negombo and Maravila. Moreover, if you are lucky with the departure of the train, you will arrive in the city even faster than by bus. The train passes there several times a day. You can check the schedule here - https://eservices.railway.gov.lk

  You can get from the terminal to the railway station Katunayaka South station by tuk-tuk for 200 rupees or 3 kilometers on foot. At the station, buy a ticket for the next train to Colombo and wait for it. All trains are passing here and are usually late. These are the cheapest commuter trains like our electric trains with seats without a guaranteed seat, but usually they run almost empty. The ticket price starts from 50 rupees.

  But to be honest, this method is of dubious convenience, it's better to just go by bus, and you will find yourself in Kolob in the center in almost the same place, but without transfers from tuk-tuk to train.

• By car

  

  You can rent a car at the airport and get to Colombo or any other city in the country on your own. You can book a car online from one of the world's car rental companies, and get a non-car on arrival.

🚌 To Colombo by bus

Colombo is connected to almost all cities of the country by bus service, because it is the main transport hub of the country. You can get anywhere and from anywhere by bus in one day, and it's very inexpensive.

Buses on the routes are of different quality: from old and rotten to modern air-conditioned, depending on the route and company. The most common carrier in the country is Sri Lanka Transport Board (buses with the S.L.T.B. logo). Tickets of this company are the cheapest, but buses are the worst. There are also many other small bus companies offering buses of better quality, but at higher prices.

In Colombo, buses arrive and depart from three stations, which are located in one place near the center in Pettah district:

• Colombo Central State Bus Station for long-distance destinations (station on the map).
• Private long-distance bus station (station on the map).
• Suburban bus stations (station on the map).

Colombo Fort railway station is also located here, within walking distance.

There is no summary information about the routes in Sri Lanka on the Internet, but something can be obtained on the website of S.L.T.B. http://www.sltb.lk/ and http://www.sprpta.lk.

In general, there is no need to bother much about the schedule and routes here, buses run often. You can find a bus to the place you need in Sri Lanka by contacting the locals. In most cases, they will gladly take you to the right bus, or at least point you in the direction.

Also read more information Buses in Sri Lanka

🚆 To Colombo by train

Sri Lanka has an excellent and extensive railway network, and most popular tourist destinations and cities can be reached by train. The main railway hub of the country is Colombo, namely Colombo Fort railway station (railway station on the map). This includes all branches from the north, south, east and center.

Given that the country is small and trains, as a rule, do not last long, most of the tickets sold are for sitting and standing places. Yes, most rush-hour trains are packed, and they literally have to hang on the handrails. The fare is very low, it is calculated in several dollars for the most popular destinations for a ticket without an assigned seat, that is, you can go even standing. There are also special tourist trains (or rather, trailer cars) on the most popular tourist destinations in Kandy, Ella and Nuwara Eliya.

Information about schedules and costs can be obtained at the following sites: https://eservices.railway.gov.lk, http://colombofort.com

Read more about our instructions about traveling by train in Sri Lanka...

Colombo train and bus schedules available for online booking