Arriving at Colombo Airport: what to expect
The Lanka Arrivals team · 7 Nov 2026
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is in Katunayake, about 40 km by road from central Colombo and a short drive from Negombo. Almost every international flight to Sri Lanka lands here, so it is where most trips begin.
Landing is the easy part. This guide walks you through what usually happens between the aircraft door and your driver, so a long flight does not turn into a stressful hour.
Before you fly
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they arrive. Rules and fees change, so check the official Sri Lankan government site for your passport rather than relying on a third party. Keep a printed or saved copy of the approval together with your return ticket.
From the aircraft to arrivals
- Immigration comes first. Queues are shortest when only one flight has landed, and longest when several wide-body flights arrive together in the early morning.
- Baggage reclaim follows. Belts are shown on the screens, and trolleys are free.
- Customs is a short walk through the green channel if you have nothing to declare.
- The arrivals hall has exchange counters, ATMs and mobile network counters selling tourist SIM cards. See our guide to money, SIM cards and getting online.
Meeting your driver
If you have booked with us, your driver waits in the arrivals area holding a board with your name. We track your flight using the number you give us, so a delay does not cancel the pickup, and the driver waits up to 60 minutes after landing at no charge.
If you cannot see the board, message us on WhatsApp and the driver will find you. It is worth keeping your phone on and connected as soon as you land.
The road out
An expressway connects the airport to Colombo and, from there, to the Southern Expressway towards Galle and Matara. Expressway tolls are paid at the gate and are not part of our fixed fare, unless you ask for an all-inclusive price.
Where you go next decides how long the drive takes. See our fixed fares and times for Colombo, Negombo, Galle and Kandy, or read where to sleep on your first night.