Getting a taxi from Colombo Airport
Colombo is the proud capital city of Sri Lanka and its cosmopolitan center for over 5.6 million residents. When landing in this vibrant city, you will want to get to your accommodation without wasting any time pushing through the crowds or waiting on your airport transportation. The quickest and only direct way to get from the airport to your hotel is to take a reliable and private Colombo Airport taxi.
You can find a metered taxi at the Colombo Airport taxi rank 24 hours a day and the local drivers are ready to whisk you off to the city center and beyond. You can enjoy the 31 km ride from Colombo Airport to the city center in just 40 minutes, while a journey to the ancient fortress of Sigiriya will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Forget about the stress that comes with public transport and enjoy a door-to-door journey with a Colombo Airport taxi service.
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Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
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WHAT'S THE COST OF AN AIRPORT TAXI IN COLOMBO?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER | 10 € | 10 € | 40 MIN |
| FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO HOTEL ZONE | 10 € | 10 € | 40 MIN |
| FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO BENTOTA | 40 € | 40 € | 1 H 50 MIN |
| FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO KANDY | 80 € | 80 € | 2 H 30 MIN |
| FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO SIGIRIYA | 40 € | 40 € | 1 H 45 MIN |
| FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO NEGOMBO | 5 € | 5 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO UNAWATUNA | 35 € | 35 € | 1 H 10 MIN |
What are the Colombo Airport taxi rates?
When it comes to the Colombo Airport taxi price, they are very affordable compared to many other major cities. However, the airport taxis in Colombo don’t offer fixed fares. Instead, you will be charged using a taximeter based on the distance you travel and the time taken. Although each taxi company in Colombo sets its own fares, you can expect an average base fare of €0.40 (LKR 120) and a price per km of €0.30 (LKR 100). For longer journeys, to neighboring towns, your driver will often give you a fixed fare and turn off their taximeter.
For example, if you take a taxi from Colombo Airport to the city center, the distance is 31.2 km, so you will pay around €10 (LKR 3,100). Another popular destination is Bentota, which is located around 1 hour and 50 minutes from the airport. In a Colombo Airport taxi, you will pay around €40 (LKR 13,000) to reach Bentota.
To enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a fixed rate fare with no hidden extras, we suggest pre-booking your rides with a trusted company such as Welcome Pickups.
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Where do I find a taxi at Colombo Airport?
There’s an official Colombo Airport taxi rank located just outside of the main terminal building. After collecting your luggage, you will exit the Arrivals Hall and will see a line of taxis waiting at the rank. Although taxis are available 24 hours a day from Colombo Airport, you may have a long wait for an available vehicle during bust travel times.
To avoid these waits and enjoy a fully personalized meet and greet inside the airport, you can pre-book your taxi from Colombo Airport with an international company such as Welcome Pickups.
Tips for taking a taxi from Colombo Airport
- Ensure your driver has reset the taximeter to the base fare before you begin your journey.
- Traveling during public holidays will have a higher fare than the usual tariffs. This fare is set by each individual taxi company.
- Your driver may offer you a fixed fare when traveling long distances to neighboring towns or areas.
- Any fees incurred for using toll roads during your journey will be added to your final fare.
- It’s not common to pay for your Colombo Airpot taxi by credit card. Be sure to bring cash in the local currency (LKR) with you to pay your driver unless you pre-book and pay securely online.
- If you need to exchange cash for LKR, there are exchange houses and multi-currency ATMs in the Arrivals Hall at Colombo Airport.
- Tipping your taxi driver isn’t obligatory, however, if you enjoy the service provided, you can round up your fare or add 10% as a tip.
- Usually, taking a Colombo Airport taxi is safe. However, be sure to only travel with licensed drivers from the taxi rank, try not to accept rides from people inside the airport.
- Not all Colombo Airport taxi drivers speak fluent English, write down the address of your hotel to avoid any miscommunication or extra charges.
- Pre-booking your taxi from Colombo Airport with a private company such as Welcome Pickups will guarantee on-time pickups, English-speaking drivers, all-inclusive pricing, and 24-hour customer support.
Getting from Colombo Airport to your hotel
Sri Lanka isn’t known for its comfortable and reliable public transport. The local buses get very hot and crowded, leaving no space for any large luggage. Plus, once you reach the city center, you will have to walk or find alternate transport to reach your hotel, which can be time-consuming and stressful.
To avoid these issues and enjoy a completely direct ride to the door of your hotel, you can take a Colombo Airport taxi. Your driver will pick you up from the curb of the airport and drop you off at the door of your hotel in a matter of minutes. You’ll also be able to relax the entire journey, knowing your personal belongings are safely stowed throughout the entire ride.