Book your private transfer to / from Colombo Airport with Airport Executive‍

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Sri Lanka's primary international gateway, situated approximately 22 miles north of Colombo's city centre near Katunayake. Whether you are arriving for business in the capital, beginning a journey to Kandy, Galle or the wider island, or departing after a stay in one of Asia's most captivating destinations, Airport Executive provides the professional, chauffeur-driven transfer service you can rely on.

We have been providing airport transfers for over 30 years. Every booking includes a meet and greet in the arrivals hall, real-time flight monitoring and a fully licenced, professional chauffeur. From the moment your flight touches down at CMB, your journey is taken care of.

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Why Choose Airport Executive for Your Colombo Transfer

When you arrive in an unfamiliar country, the last thing you need is uncertainty about your transfer. Airport Executive removes that uncertainty entirely.

• Over 30 years of trusted service. Three decades of professional chauffeur transfers, built on punctuality and discretion.
• Meet and greet on every arrival. Your chauffeur will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a personalised name board. No searching, no negotiating with local drivers.
• Real-time flight monitoring. We track your flight from departure. If it is delayed, your driver adjusts accordingly.
• Fixed, transparent pricing. The price you see when you book is the price you pay. No hidden charges, no meter running.
• A vehicle for every journey. From Economy Saloon to First Class XL, we have the right vehicle for every traveller and group size.
• Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Early morning arrivals, late night departures: we are always available.
• Fully licenced and insured. All chauffeurs are professionally licenced and DBS checked. All vehicles are comprehensively insured.

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Meeting Your Driver at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport

On Arrival

After landing at Bandaranaike International Airport, follow the signs for immigration. The walk from the aircraft to the immigration hall takes approximately five to ten minutes. The immigration hall has separate queues for Sri Lankan nationals, diplomats, and foreign nationals. During quieter periods, processing takes around ten to twenty minutes; during peak arrival windows, allow up to an hour.

After clearing immigration, proceed through the duty free shopping area and take the escalator down to the baggage claim hall. TV screens above each belt display flight numbers so you can identify your carousel quickly. Once you have your luggage, proceed through customs and exit into the arrivals hall.

Your Airport Executive chauffeur will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a name board clearly displaying your name. Your driver will assist with your luggage and escort you directly to your waiting vehicle.

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On Departure

Your Airport Executive chauffeur will collect you from your chosen address and take you directly to the departures entrance at Bandaranaike International Airport. Your driver will assist with your luggage and ensure you are on your way to check-in before departing.

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Airport Extras at Bandaranaike International Airport

Fast Track

Fast track immigration and VIP meet and assist services are available at Bandaranaike International Airport through specialist providers including Airssist, Fastrack VIP, Asia Fast Track and Royal Airport Concierge. These services include a personal greeter at the aircraft or air bridge, expedited passage through immigration and security, and escort to your onward gate or vehicle. They are particularly valuable for first-time arrivals in Sri Lanka or travellers on tight connections. All services can be arranged in advance.

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Lounges

Bandaranaike International Airport has several premium lounges in the departure and transit areas.

Serendib Lounge — SriLankan Airlines, Departures Level 2
The Serendib Lounge is the flagship business lounge for SriLankan Airlines, located on level 2 of the departure hall. Access is for SriLankan Airlines Business and First Class passengers. oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members travelling with eligible airlines may access the Serenediva Lounge facility. Economy class passengers are not admitted regardless of connection type.

Araliya Lounge — Transit Area
The Araliya Lounge is located in the transit area and is accessible to Priority Pass members, qualifying credit card holders, and business and first class passengers across airlines. It offers complimentary food and beverages, free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. Day passes are available for purchase for passengers without lounge membership.

Executive Lounge — Transit Area
The Executive Lounge is also situated in the transit area and is open to passengers who purchase day pass access. It provides complimentary refreshments, Wi-Fi and a quiet environment away from the main terminal.

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Luggage Porter Services

Porter assistance is available at Bandaranaike International Airport for a fee. Porters can help with luggage handling on both arrival and departure, and are particularly useful for passengers with multiple bags or those who need additional support through the terminal.

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Luggage Storage

Left luggage facilities are available in the departures outer porch for passengers who need to store bags before a flight or during a layover. A Bond Baggage service is also available in the customs area near Baggage Belt 4 for arriving passengers who need secure temporary storage.

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Shops and Restaurants

Bandaranaike International Airport has a selection of dining and retail outlets across the terminal, both before and after security.

Barista Coffee — a popular South Asian coffee chain serving espresso drinks, teas and light snacks, available landside and airside.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf — an international café chain offering coffee, teas and a selection of pastries and light bites.

Burger King — a fast food outlet for passengers looking for a quick, familiar meal before departure.

Pizza Hut and Deli France — a combined outlet offering pizza alongside a bakery and café menu of sandwiches, pastries and coffee.

Palm Strip Bar and Restaurant — an airside bar and restaurant offering a broader menu of meals and drinks in a more relaxed setting, suitable for a longer pre-departure wait.

For retail, duty free shopping is available in both the arrivals and departures terminals, with a focus on Ceylon tea, Sri Lankan handicrafts, gems, spirits and cosmetics. Ceylon tea in particular makes a popular and distinctive souvenir and is well stocked throughout the duty free area.

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Timing Tips for Colombo Bandaranaike Airport

Arriving at Colombo

Allow approximately one hour from landing before meeting your driver. This accounts for the walk to immigration, passport control, baggage reclaim and customs. During busy periods or if your flight arrives alongside multiple other international services, the immigration queue alone can take 45 to 60 minutes, so build in a little extra time if you are arriving during peak hours.

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Departing from Colombo

For international flights, allow a minimum of three hours before your scheduled departure time to cover check-in, security and immigration at a comfortable pace. The airport advises arriving up to four hours before departure during peak periods, particularly between 05:00 and 08:00 and between 16:00 and 19:00 on weekdays, when queues are longest. Online check-in, where available with your airline, can help reduce time at the check-in desk.

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Book Your Colombo Airport Transfer

Arriving in a new country is straightforward when your transfer is already arranged. Airport Executive provides a professional, fixed-price chauffeur service to and from Bandaranaike International Airport, with meet and greet included on every arrival booking.

Book your Colombo airport transfer online today and travel with complete peace of mind.

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Top Attractions Near Colombo Airport

Negombo

Just 8 miles from Bandaranaike Airport, Negombo is the closest coastal town to CMB and a popular first or last stop for visitors to Sri Lanka. The town has a long beach, a lively fish market, Dutch colonial architecture and a good selection of hotels and restaurants. Many travellers choose to spend their first or final night here rather than making the drive into Colombo immediately after landing.

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Colombo City Centre

Sri Lanka's commercial capital is a city of striking contrasts, where Dutch and British colonial buildings sit alongside gleaming new developments along the waterfront. The Colombo Fort district is the business heart of the city, home to major hotels, the World Trade Centre and the historic Cargills building. Galle Face Green offers a kilometre-long oceanfront promenade, while the Pettah bazaar district is one of the most colourful and frenetic markets in South Asia.

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Gangaramaya Temple

One of the most important Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, Gangaramaya is a short drive from the Colombo waterfront and a remarkable blend of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese architectural styles. The temple complex includes shrines, a museum, a library and the serene Seema Malaka meditation hall, which stands on stone pillars above Beira Lake. It is a working temple and one of Colombo's most visited cultural landmarks.

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Kandy and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Kandy is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka and home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred sites in the Buddhist world. Set in the central highlands, the city is surrounded by mountains and overlooks the beautiful Kandy Lake. The Peradeniya Botanic Gardens on the outskirts of the city are among the finest in Asia. Kandy is approximately 63 miles from CMB and typically two hours by road.

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Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya is Sri Lanka's most iconic landmark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning in the world. The 5th-century citadel rises 200 metres from the surrounding jungle on a sheer volcanic plug, with frescoed galleries, mirrored walls, water gardens and a summit that once held a royal palace. The approach from Colombo Airport takes approximately two and a half hours.

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Galle Fort

Built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century, Galle Fort is a UNESCO-listed walled city on Sri Lanka's southern coast. Narrow cobbled streets wind between whitewashed colonial buildings now occupied by boutique hotels, independent cafés, jewellery studios and art galleries. The fort ramparts offer spectacular Indian Ocean views at sunset. Galle is approximately 93 miles from CMB, around two hours by expressway.

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Mirissa Beach

Mirissa is one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated beach destinations, known for its sweeping crescent bay, clear warm water and relaxed coastal atmosphere. It is also one of the best places in the world for blue whale watching, with sightings most reliable between November and April. Mirissa is approximately 110 miles from CMB, around two and a half hours by road.

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Ella

Nestled in the hill country at around 1,000 metres above sea level, Ella is a compact village surrounded by tea plantations, jungle-covered ridges and dramatic viewpoints. The famous Nine Arch Bridge is one of Sri Lanka's most photographed landmarks, and the hike to Little Adam's Peak offers sweeping panoramas with relatively modest effort. Ella is approximately 135 miles from CMB, with the journey typically taking around five hours by road due to the mountain terrain.

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Trincomalee

Trincomalee on Sri Lanka's northeast coast is home to one of the finest natural harbours in the world and some of the island's most beautiful and least-crowded beaches. Nilaveli and Uppuveli beaches are renowned for their clear water and excellent snorkelling, and Fort Frederick offers panoramic views over the bay. Trincomalee is approximately 147 miles from CMB, around four hours by road.

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Common Transfer Routes from Colombo Airport

Colombo City Centre | ~22 mi | ~45 min | £60

Negombo | ~8 mi | ~20 min | £60

Kandy | ~63 mi | ~2h | £162

Sigiriya | ~90 mi | ~2h 30m | £231

Galle Fort | ~93 mi | ~2h 10m | £239

Mirissa | ~110 mi | ~2h 30m | £282

Ella | ~135 mi | ~5h | £346

Trincomalee | ~147 mi | ~4h | £377

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Colombo Bandaranaike Airport from the city centre?

Bandaranaike International Airport is approximately 22 miles north of Colombo's city centre, near Katunayake. The drive typically takes around 45 minutes in normal traffic, though it can take longer during rush hour or on busy weekday evenings.

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Where will my driver meet me at Colombo Airport?

Your Airport Executive chauffeur will be waiting in the arrivals hall after you have cleared customs, holding a name board displaying your name. After collecting your luggage from the baggage claim hall, proceed through the customs exit into the arrivals area and your driver will be there to greet you and assist with your bags.

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How long does it take to get through arrivals at Colombo Airport?

Allow approximately one hour from landing to meeting your driver. This covers the walk to immigration, passport control for foreign nationals, baggage reclaim and customs clearance. During peak periods, the immigration queue alone can take up to an hour, so it is worth building in extra time if your flight arrives during a busy window.

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Can Airport Executive take me to Kandy, Galle or other destinations across Sri Lanka?

Yes. Airport Executive provides long-distance chauffeur transfers to destinations across Sri Lanka, including Kandy, Galle, Sigiriya, Mirissa, Ella and Trincomalee. All fares are fixed and agreed at the time of booking, with no additional charges for long-distance journeys.

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Is there a lounge at Colombo Airport?

Yes. Bandaranaike International Airport has several lounges, including the Serendib Lounge for SriLankan Airlines business and first class passengers, and the Araliya Lounge in the transit area, which is accessible via Priority Pass or a day pass. The Executive Lounge is also available on a paid day pass basis.

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How do I book an airport transfer with Airport Executive?

You can book online via the Airport Executive website. Enter your pickup and drop-off locations, select your preferred vehicle class and confirm your travel details. A booking confirmation is sent to you immediately by email.

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Do you monitor my flight?

Yes. Airport Executive monitors every flight in real time. If your flight is delayed, your chauffeur's schedule is updated automatically so you are never left waiting at the airport for a driver who has not been informed of the delay.

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Are your prices fixed?

Yes. Every Airport Executive transfer is priced on a fixed basis. The fare shown at the time of booking is the fare you pay. There are no hidden charges, no penalties for traffic and no surprises at the end of your journey.

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How long will my driver wait for me?

Your chauffeur will wait up to 90 minutes after your scheduled landing time for international arrivals. Because we monitor your flight, your driver will already have adjusted for any delay before it affects your transfer.

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Can I request a child seat?

Yes. Child seats are available on request. Please include your requirements in the notes section when completing your booking.

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Are your drivers licenced and insured?

Yes. All Airport Executive chauffeurs are fully licenced and DBS checked. All vehicles are comprehensively insured. Airport Executive operates as a licenced private hire operator with over 30 years of professional service.

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