Transfer Options from Colombo Airport to Negombo

Negombo is a quaint waterfront city on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Negombo has two distinctive areas, the bustling downtown and a quiet beach strip, where you will find most of the hotels and resorts. Be sure to visit the Negombo Lagoon and the impressive 17th-century Dutch Fort during your stay.

There are two different transfer options when it comes to travelling from Colombo airport to Negombo; taxi or bus. Taking a taxi from Colombo airport to Negombo will take just 15 minutes, making it the quickest option, but will cost around €5 (LKR 2,000). On the other hand, taking the local bus will cost just €0.20 (LKR 70) one-way, but will take closer to 40 minutes to reach Negombo.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Colombo at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€14	15min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€5	15min	24/7
Bus	€0.40	40min	05:30–19:00

How to take a Taxi from Colombo Airport to Negombo

The quickest way to make the journey from Colombo airport to Negombo is to take an airport taxi. The journey time will be a fast 15-minute ride and the cost of a local taxi from Colombo airport to Negombo will be around €5 (LKR 2,000), which is very affordable.

How much is a taxi from Colombo Airport to Negombo?

A local taxi from Colombo airport to Negombo will cost around €5 (LKR 2,000). However, this isn’t a set fare. Your driver will use a taximeter to calculate the cost of your journey into Negombo so this price may increase.

If you’d prefer the peace of mind that comes with a fixed rate fare, we suggest booking your transfer with Welcome Pickups in advance.

Cost

€5 (LKR 2,000)

Trip Duration

15 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available from outside Colombo Airport 24 hours a day.

Where do I find a taxi at Colombo Airport?

Taxis can easily be found outside of the main terminal at Colombo airport. As soon as you exit the arrivals hall, you will see the line of taxis waiting at the rank.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Colombo airport to Negombo is the easiest and quickest way to travel. The public transport will only drop you off in the centre of Negombo, so if you’re staying in the beach zone, taking a taxi is the only way to get directly to the door of your hotel.

Editor’s Note

Taxis in Sri Lanka are very affordable, however, you can lower the cost of your taxi from Colombo Airport to Negombo even more by splitting the cost with other members of your group.

Useful Tips

If you'd like, you can try to agree on a set fare with your driver before leaving the airport.

A standard Colombo airport taxi can take up to 4 passengers.

Be sure to bring cash in the local currency to pay for your taxi, as the local drivers don't accept card payments.

How to get from Colombo Airport to Negombo by Bus

Unfortunately, there’s no bus from Colombo airport to Negombo. You will first need to walk around 1 km to the Katunayake Bus Stop. Once at the Katunayake Bus Stop, you will take the public bus towards Negombo. The total journey time from Colombo airport to Negombo by bus is 40 minutes and the cost will be €0.20 (LKR 70) one-way.

How much does it cost from Colombo Airport to Negombo by bus?

The cost of a one-way ticket on the local bus from Negombo to Colombo airport and visa versa is just €0.20 (LKR 70). You can pay for your ticket with the driver as you get on the bus.

Cost

€0.20 (LKR 70)

Trip Duration

40 Min.

*There's a waiting time of 30 minutes for the bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus runs from 05:30 to 19:00.

Where do I find the bus at Colombo Airport?

Unfortunately, the Colombo airport to Negombo bus doesn’t run directly from the airport. You will need to walk around 1 km from the airport to the Katunayake Bus Stop to take the bus to Negombo.

Convenience

Although a very cheap transfer option from Colombo airport to Negombo, taking the bus is the least convenient way to travel. Not only will you have to walk around 10 minutes to the bus stop, but you will be dropped off in the centre of Negombo, not the resort area. This means that you will have to find alternate transport to your hotel, adding time, effort and cost to your overall journey.

Editor’s Note

The local buses fill up quickly and often don't have very comfortable seats. If you're travelling with small children or elderly group members, I recommend taking a taxi for everyone’s comfort instead.

Useful Tips

The local bus doesn't always have air-conditioning, be prepared for a hot journey.

There's no luggage storage on the bus.

Bring change in the local currency to pay your driver as you get on the bus.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Colombo. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€18.0

NIGHTTIME

€22.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from Colombo airport to Negombo?

There are two ways to get from Colombo airport to Negombo; taxi or bus. Taking a Colombo airport taxi is quick and easy, the journey time is just 15 minutes and the cost of your journey will be around €5 (LKR 2,000). Taking the public bus will take closer to 40 minutes to reach Negombo, but will cost just €0.20 (LKR 70) per traveller.

What’s the Colombo airport to Negombo distance?

The distance from Negombo to Colombo airport is 7.6 km. Taking a Colombo airport taxi will take 15 minutes, while the public bus will take closer to 40 minutes to reach Negombo.

Is there a direct Colombo airport to Negombo bus service?

No, there’s no direct Colombo airport to Negombo bus. You will first need to walk out of the airport compound and find the Katunayake Bus Stop, then take the bus from there into Negombo. With this walk, the total journey time is around 40 minutes, not including wait times.

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The best way to arrive in Colombo

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How to take a Taxi from Colombo Airport to Negombo

How much is a taxi from Colombo Airport to Negombo?

Cost

€5 (LKR 2,000)

Trip Duration

15 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available from outside Colombo Airport 24 hours a day.

Where do I find a taxi at Colombo Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Colombo Airport to Negombo by Bus

How much does it cost from Colombo Airport to Negombo by bus?

Cost

€0.20 (LKR 70)

Trip Duration

40 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus runs from 05:30 to 19:00.

Where do I find the bus at Colombo Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Colombo airport to Negombo?

What’s the Colombo airport to Negombo distance?

Is there a direct Colombo airport to Negombo bus service?

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The best way to arrive in Colombo

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