Bandaranaike Airport Taxi Service

From Bandaranaike International Airport to Thorn Tree - Taxi to Columbo

Hello Vin, the gentlemen in doubt was probably working for one of the prepaid taxi drivers in rivals. I just estimate since I favour the cheaper busses, but I would estimate that the Colombo taxi should be about 3000 Rh and the Galle journey about 7000. You have some restrictions on who is allowed to collect from the airport and who is not, but if there is such a restriction regarding the collection of a price by an airport taxi, why not just get on the free prearrival shuttles, take the 10 minutes drive to the city of Katunayake and take a taxi from there.

Or contact a few locals before you leave and organise a pick-up service from the airport. Those self-employed travel agents may not be interested in a price from the airport to Colombo, but they would certainly do the gall run for about half (or less) of what was offered to you.

There' s a rail service now, too. From the airport to Columbo Town. As most things in Sri Lanka the line was rebuilt, the new trains were arranged for the journey and then they realized that it disturbed the locals so that, as far as I know, they only made one journey a early afternoon a day.

By public transport

The Bandaranaike International Airport is the biggest airport of Sri Lanka and services the capitol of the Sri Lanka, Columbo. Comprehensive information on airport amenities, local transportation and accommodations is available in our Columbo Bandaranaike International Airport Handbook. The airport news: Construction of a new purpose-built facility is due for completion in 2017. New airport website recently launched.

Information counters are available on arrival and departure. As well as information about the airport's journey and installations, it also has facsimile and copying machines for use by passengers. Colombo and Katunayake was opened in October 2013 and offers a much faster stretch than the A003 (Negombo Road).

Follow this itinerary from the center of Colombos over the New Kelani Bridge to the northern side; the drive will take about 20mins. Columbo Bandaranaike International Airport is 32 km (20 miles) northern of downtown Columbo. Street transportation: Coaches: An airport shuttles brings you to the airport Hauptbusbahnhof 500 metres (1,640 ft) from the airport terminus where long-distance coaches run.

The 187 coach departs for Colombo every 30 min (fare: Rs.50 plus baggage charge). From Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, most hotel and travel agents provide transportation, but it is recommended that you check in before. Taxi: Taxi services are available in front of the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport terminals. Airport taxi service (tel.: + 94 11 225 2861) runs a desk in the inner arrivals bay arrivals area and has a total of over 600 cars.

The price for Columbo starts at about Rs.2.800. Means of transportation Air: Tarpaulin:Cinnamonair ( Tel: +94 11 247 5475; ) flies small-scale airplanes, , and seaplanes, from Bandanairaike Airport to a number of viewpoints and other Sri Lankan locations. There are a number of bankers active in the Arrivals and Transits lobbies and offering foreign exchanges.

Cash dispensers are available in the arrival and departure areas. Restaurant (operated by Sri Lankan Airlines) offering domestic and foreign food are situated in the departure airports and transits area. You will find a large selection of duty-free stores on arrival and departure. Travelers who visit Sri Lanka for up to 45 nights can take advantages of the airport's luggage facilities.

Luggage is inspected by custom and airport safety and then resealed and taken to the airport of origin where it is stocked until your next flights. There is a first assistance center with trained nursing staff in the Arrivals area. At the airport there are a number of travel agencies and several hotel companies.

There is a Transithalle on the groundfloor of the terminals with a shopping mall. Extensions, facsimile and photocopier are available. Colombo Bandaranaike also has four different airport lounge areas, offering four different types of accommodation. Meetings can be arranged at the Gateway Airport Garden hotel near by (Tel.: +94 11 544 0000; www.thegatewayhotels.com).

Handicapped accessible facilities: Please ask all passenger requiring extra help to consult their carrier prior to travel. At Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport there are two multi-storey cars. There is space in the airport for 400 cars at short-term prices, while the secluded lot, about 300 metres from the airport terminus, is designed for long-term use.

Rent a car: Several rent a cars agencies, among them Europcar, Sixt and several locals, are present at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.