Sri Lanka Airport Transfers - Wholesale B2B Rates

Reliable Colombo Airport transfers with experienced drivers. Private sedans from LKR 8,000, SUVs from LKR 12,000.

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2 Airports

CMB + Mattala

45-60 Mins

CMB to Colombo

24/7

Service Available

LKR 8,000+

Starting Rates

Sri Lanka's main gateway, Bandaranaike International Airport, sits about 35 kilometers north of Colombo in Katunayake. While it's officially "Colombo Airport," that name can be a bit misleading since it's actually closer to the beach town of Negombo than to downtown Colombo itself.

For travel agents, understanding Sri Lanka's transfer dynamics is crucial. The journey from CMB to central Colombo takes 45-60 minutes via the modern expressway, but if your clients are heading to popular destinations like Kandy (3-4 hours), Galle (2-2.5 hours), or even staying in nearby Negombo (15-20 minutes), you'll want to plan accordingly.

Our B2B transfer service connects you with reliable local operators who know these routes inside out. Unlike some destinations where shared shuttles work well, most agents find that private transfers make more sense for Sri Lanka. The price difference isn't huge, and your clients get door-to-door service without the wait times that come with collecting multiple passengers.

Transfer Options from Sri Lanka Airports

Choose the right service level for your client's journey

Shared Shuttle (SIC)

Best for: Budget travelers, solo guests staying in Colombo/Negombo

  • Fixed departure schedules (typically every 2 hours)
  • Multiple hotel drop-offs extend journey time
  • Limited to Colombo city and Negombo beach hotels
  • Economy rates from LKR 2,500 per person
  • Not available for long-distance routes (Kandy, Galle)

Note: Shared services can take 90+ minutes with multiple stops. Consider private for better client experience.

Private Transfer

Best for: Families, groups, anyone traveling beyond Colombo

  • Your vehicle, direct routing - no stops unless requested
  • Available for all routes including Kandy, Galle, hill country
  • Flexible timing - arrivals any time, day or night
  • Meet-and-greet with name board at arrivals
  • English-speaking drivers with local knowledge

Agent Favorite: Over 85% of Sri Lanka bookings are private transfers due to better value and flexibility

Private Transfer Vehicle Options

All rates include meet-and-greet, tolls, parking, and fuel

Vehicle Type Max PAX Luggage CMB - Colombo City Best For
Sedan / Car
Toyota Axio, Nissan Sunny		 3 adults 3 large bags LKR 8,000 - 12,000 Couples, small families
SUV
Toyota KDH, Nissan Caravan		 6 adults 6 large bags LKR 12,000 - 18,000 Families, small groups
Minivan / Van
Toyota Hiace, Nissan Caravan		 8-10 adults 8-10 large bags LKR 18,000 - 25,000 Group tours, MICE
Luxury Sedan
Mercedes, BMW, Audi		 3 adults 3 large bags LKR 20,000 - 30,000 VIP, corporate clients
Minibus
15-20 seater with luggage		 12-15 adults 12-15 large bags LKR 30,000 - 40,000 Large groups, incentive

Popular Transfer Routes from CMB Airport

Journey times and what to expect on each route

Colombo City (Fort, Cinnamon Gardens)

Distance: 35 km via expressway
Journey Time: 45-60 minutes
Hotel Areas: Fort, Slave Island, Cinnamon Gardens, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya

The expressway makes this route straightforward. Traffic can build up when entering Colombo during peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM), but outside those times it's a smooth ride.

Negombo Beach

Distance: 8-10 km from airport
Journey Time: 15-20 minutes
Hotel Areas: Lewis Place, Ethukala, Poruthota Road beach strip

Perfect for first/last night stays. The airport is practically in Negombo's backyard, making this the quickest and most economical transfer route in Sri Lanka.

Kandy

Distance: 115 km via Colombo-Kandy Road
Journey Time: 3-4 hours
Popular Stops: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (optional detour)

This is a scenic drive through hill country. The road climbs from sea level to 500m elevation. Most drivers are happy to stop at roadside fruit stalls or spice gardens along the way.

Galle Fort

Distance: 120 km via Southern Expressway
Journey Time: 2-2.5 hours
En Route: Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna beaches

The Southern Expressway is Sri Lanka's best highway - smooth, well-maintained, and scenic with coastal views. This route is faster than the journey time might suggest.

Bentota / Beruwala Beach

Distance: 75-85 km via Southern Expressway
Journey Time: 1.5-2 hours
Hotel Areas: Bentota beach, Beruwala, Aluthgama

Popular beach resort area about halfway to Galle. The expressway exit is at Welipenna, then a short drive to the coastal hotel strip.

Sigiriya / Dambulla

Distance: 150-160 km via Kurunegala
Journey Time: 4-4.5 hours
Cultural Triangle: Ancient cities access point

Long transfer but necessary for clients visiting Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Consider a rest stop at Dambulla Cave Temple or a roadside fruit market along the way.

Sri Lanka Airports - What You Need to Know

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

Location: Katunayake, 35 km north of Colombo
Terminal: Single international terminal (domestic flights use separate area)
Major Airlines: SriLankan Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, AirAsia, IndiGo

This is where 95%+ of your clients will arrive. The arrivals hall is straightforward - after clearing immigration and collecting bags, passengers exit into the main arrivals area where transfer drivers wait with name boards. There's a designated meeting area just outside the customs exit.

Transfer Meeting Point: Drivers wait in the arrivals hall holding name boards. Look for the passenger's name on the voucher. If there's any confusion, drivers can be reached by phone (number provided on booking confirmation).

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI)

Location: Hambantota, southern Sri Lanka (about 240 km from Colombo)
Status: Very limited international operations
Usage: Some charter flights, occasional scheduled services

Built in 2013, Mattala has minimal commercial traffic and is often called "the world's emptiest airport." Unless your client specifically mentions flying into HRI (which is rare), you can safely assume they're using CMB. That said, if they are using Mattala, transfers to nearby Yala National Park or Tangalle beach are convenient.

Arrival Tips for Agents

  • Visa on Arrival: Most nationalities can get a 30-day visa on arrival at CMB. The ETA system is also available for online pre-approval.
  • Currency Exchange: There are exchange counters in the arrivals hall, but rates aren't great. Advise clients to exchange just enough for immediate needs.
  • SIM Cards: Dialog and Mobitel counters in arrivals hall offer tourist SIM cards (around USD 10-15 for data packages).
  • Arrival Times: Many long-haul flights arrive in the evening (8 PM - midnight). Factor this into day-one itineraries - tired clients won't want activities immediately.

How to Book Sri Lanka Airport Transfers (B2B)

1
Register Your Agency

Free registration takes 2 minutes. You'll get instant access to wholesale rates and online booking system.

2
Select Route & Vehicle

Choose pickup/drop-off locations (CMB Airport to hotel), number of passengers, and preferred vehicle type.

3
Enter Flight Details

Provide flight number, arrival time, hotel name, and passenger contact information (local number if available).

4
Receive Confirmation

Get instant booking confirmation with driver contact details, vehicle information, and meeting instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The journey from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo takes about 45-60 minutes via the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway. Traffic can add 15-20 minutes during peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM). To Negombo, it's much quicker at just 15-20 minutes since the airport is close to the beach town. The expressway opened in 2013 and made a huge difference - before that, the journey could take 90+ minutes through congested roads.

The drive from Colombo Airport to Kandy takes 3-4 hours depending on traffic through Colombo. We strongly recommend private transfers over shared options for this route since it's a longer journey and clients appreciate the comfort. The route goes through scenic hill country as you climb from sea level to around 500 meters elevation. Most drivers are happy to stop at roadside fruit stalls or take a brief detour to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage if your clients are interested.

Yes, direct transfers to Galle take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours via the Southern Expressway. This is one of Sri Lanka's best highways and makes for a smooth, scenic drive with occasional coastal views. Private transfer is highly recommended for this route as shared shuttles make multiple stops and can take 4+ hours. The expressway toll is included in our quoted rates, and drivers often point out landmarks along the way.

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Katunayake handles over 95% of international arrivals and is 35km north of Colombo. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) in the south has very limited international flights - it's often called "the world's emptiest airport." Always confirm your client's arrival airport in the booking details, though CMB is almost certainly the one they'll use. If by chance they are flying into Mattala, it's actually convenient for southern destinations like Yala National Park.

Our B2B rates are shown in LKR (Sri Lankan Rupees) but agents can pay in their preferred currency through our platform. The driver accepts the booking voucher - no cash payment needed from your clients. All tolls, parking fees, and fuel are included in the quoted rate. If your client wants to tip the driver (not expected but appreciated), small amounts in USD or LKR are both fine.

Yes, all our drivers speak conversational English, which is widely spoken in Sri Lanka's tourism industry. For longer transfers to Kandy, Galle, or hill country destinations, drivers often provide informal commentary about sights along the way - think of it as a mini-tour. If your client needs a dedicated guide with in-depth historical knowledge, we can arrange professional guide services separately. Most clients find the driver's basic commentary perfectly adequate for airport transfers.

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