Transfer Options from Colombo Airport to Unawatuna

If you’re looking for the ultimate tropical beach vacation in Sri Lanka, Unawatuna is the perfect destination for you. You can spend your mornings lazing on the palm tree-lined beaches, your afternoons exploring the Japanese Peace Pagoda and surrounding jungle, and your evenings strolling through Galle’s fortified old town.

When it comes to travelling from Colombo airport to Unawatuna, you have two options; taxi or train. Taking a Colombo airport taxi is the easiest way to travel. The total journey time from Colombo airport to Unawatuna by taxi is just 2 hours and 10 minutes and the cost will be around €40 (LKR 15,000). Taking the train, on the other hand, costs just €2 (LKR 720), but takes a least 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach Unawatuna.

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	€75	130min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€40	130min	24/7
Train	€4	270min	06:50–18:17

How to take a Colombo Airport to Unawatuna Taxi

The quickest and most comfortable way to get from Colombo airport to Unawatuna is by taking a taxi. The journey time in an airport taxi is a very respectable 2 hours and 10 minutes, and the cost will be approximately €40 (LKR 15,000) – more precisely calculated using a taximeter.

Cost of a Colombo Airport to Unawatuna Taxi

The local taxi drivers don’t give fixed rate fares for their services. The average cost of a Colombo airport to Unawatuna taxi will be around €40 (LKR 15,000), but this is subject to change depending on traffic levels and your exact destination in Unawatuna.

For an airport transfer that always guarantees a fixed rate, you can book in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€40 (LKR 15,000)

Trip Duration

2 Hrs 10 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Colombo Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Colombo Airport?

Finding a taxi at Colombo airport couldn’t be easier. Simply walk out of the arrivals hall exit doors and you will see the taxi rank right in front of you.

Convenience

As taking a taxi from Colombo airport to Unawatuna is the only direct transfer option available, it’s definitely the most recommended. Your driver will take you on the fastest route possible and will drop you off directly at the door of your hotel. You won’t have to worry about transfers or carrying your luggage through different bus and train stations.

Editor’s Note

To save money on your Colombo airport taxi transfer, you can split the cost between a group of up to 4 passengers.

Useful Tips

Be sure to bring cash in the local currency to pay for your taxi ride.

For longer journeys such as this one, it's advisable to try and agree on a set rate price with your driver if you’re taking a taxi from the local airport taxi rank.

The journey from Colombo Airport to Unawatuna is long, so bring refreshments if possible.

How to get from Colombo Airport to Unawatuna by Train

Unfortunately, there’s no direct train that runs between Unawatuna and Colombo airport as the airport doesn’t have a train station. You will first need to take the Colombo Express bus from the airport to the city centre, then walk to the Colombo Fort Railway Station to take the train from there to Unawatuna. The total journey time is around 4 hours and 30 minutes and the cost is very affordable, at €2 (LKR 720) per person.

How much is the train from Colombo Airport to Unawatuna?

The cost of a one-way ticket on the Colombo Express bus is €1.50 (LKR 500), while the cost of a ticket on the train will be €0.50 (LKR 220). That means the total cost of the journey from Colombo airport to Unawatuna is €2 (LKR 720) per traveller.

Cost

€2 (LKR 720)

Trip Duration

4 Hrs 30 Min.

*There's a waiting time of up to 8 hours for the train and 30 minutes for the Colombo Express bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The train runs from 06:50 to 18:17 and the Colombo Express bus from 05:30 to 20:30.

Where do I find the train at Colombo Airport?

Unfortunately, there’s no train station at Colombo airport. You will first need to take the Colombo Express bus to the city centre and then walk to the Colombo Fort Railway Station to take the train.

Convenience

As there’s no direct train from Colombo airport to Unawatuna, this is a slightly stressful and very slow way to travel. Not only will you need to make a change from bus to train, but you will also have to walk with any large luggage items through the centre of Colombo, which can be a challenge.

Editor’s Note

If you're travelling in a group or with lots of luggage, I highly recommend taking a taxi instead of the train. This option will be much less stressful and safer for your group.

Useful Tips

The train only runs three times a day, be sure to check the schedule carefully.

The train stops running before the bus, there's no nighttime service.

Be sure to travel light as the train has no luggage storage space.

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

€73.0

NIGHTTIME

€88.0

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

What’s the cost of a taxi from Colombo airport to Unawatuna?

The local taxi driver will charge you around €40 (LKR 15,000) for the journey into Unawatuna. However, this is not a fixed-rate fare. For a set fare for your Colombo airport to Unawatuna taxi, you can pre-book with Welcome Pickups instead.

How can I get from Colombo airport to Unawatuna?

There are two transfer options from Colombo airport to Unawatuna; taxi or train. Taking a Colombo airport taxi takes just 2 hours and 10 minutes and costs €40 (LKR 15,000) on average. The train takes closer to 4 hours and 30 minutes and costs just €2 (LKR 720).

Is there a Unawatuna-Colombo Airport train connection?

There’s no direct train from Unawatuna and Colombo airport. You will first need to take the Colombo Express bus from the airport to the centre of Colombo, then take the train from Colombo Fort Railway station to Unawatuna. The total journey time will be 4 hours and 30 minutes and the cost will be €2 (LKR 720) per traveller.

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How to take a Colombo Airport to Unawatuna Taxi

Cost of a Colombo Airport to Unawatuna Taxi

Cost

€40 (LKR 15,000)

Trip Duration

2 Hrs 10 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Colombo Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Colombo Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Colombo Airport to Unawatuna by Train

How much is the train from Colombo Airport to Unawatuna?

Cost

€2 (LKR 720)

Trip Duration

4 Hrs 30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The train runs from 06:50 to 18:17 and the Colombo Express bus from 05:30 to 20:30.

Where do I find the train 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

What’s the cost of a taxi from Colombo airport to Unawatuna?

How can I get from Colombo airport to Unawatuna?

Is there a Unawatuna-Colombo Airport train connection?

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The best way to arrive in Colombo

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