Arriving at Mattala Airport: what to expect
The Lanka Arrivals team · 7 Nov 2026
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) is in the far south-east, in the Hambantota district. It is a calm, uncrowded airport, which makes arrival quick, and it is the closest international airport to Yala, Tissamaharama and the south-east coast.
Because fewer flights use it, check your airline and schedule carefully when you book. Many travellers fly into Colombo instead and drive south, and our drivers cover both airports.
What arrival is like
- Immigration and baggage reclaim are usually fast because few flights land at the same time.
- Services in the terminal are more limited than at Colombo, so withdraw cash or buy a SIM card before you leave the airport if you need them.
- Your driver waits with a name board in the arrivals area. We track your flight number, and the free 60 minutes of waiting applies here as well.
Where Mattala suits you
Mattala is the natural gateway to Tissamaharama and Yala, and it is also close to Tangalle and the beaches of the deep south. From the hills, Ella is a scenic drive away, and Arugam Bay and Galle are reachable in a day.
Our fares and times for every Mattala route are on the route pages. Tolls on the expressway sections are not included, as on all our fares.