Bandaranaike International Airport (IATA: CMB), widely known as Katunayake Airport, is Sri Lanka's principal international gateway. Situated in Katunayake, roughly 30 kilometres north of Colombo, it handles the overwhelming majority of the island's international passenger and cargo traffic. The airport is named after Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female prime minister, and is operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd under the Sri Lanka Ports and Aviation Secretariat.
Which terminals does Katunayake Airport have?
The airport currently operates Terminal 1 for all international arrivals and departures. A second terminal has been planned to address growing passenger volumes as Sri Lanka's tourism numbers recover and expand. Within Terminal 1, the layout separates arrivals and departures across different floors, keeping passenger flows relatively orderly even during peak seasons.
Facilities inside the terminal include duty-free retail, international brand outlets, currency exchange counters, ATMs, a range of restaurants and cafes, prayer rooms, and airline lounges. SriLankan Airlines — the national carrier and primary hub operator — offers its own dedicated lounge for business and premium passengers.
How do I get from Katunayake Airport to Colombo?
Several transport options connect the airport to Colombo city centre and beyond:
- Private transfer: The most comfortable option for most visitors, with air-conditioned vehicles available for door-to-door service. Journey time to central Colombo is typically 45–75 minutes, depending on traffic. Lakpura can arrange pre-booked private drivers and taxis to meet you on arrival.
- Airport Express Bus: Sri Lanka Transport Board operates express coach services between the airport and Colombo's Bastian Mawatha bus stand. The journey is inexpensive but can be slow in peak-hour traffic.
- Train: The Katunayake railway station, connected to the terminal by an elevated walkway, offers a direct rail link to Colombo Fort. This is often the fastest and most predictable option during rush hour.
- Metered taxi / ride-hailing: PickMe and Uber both operate at the airport. Metered cabs are available from a designated rank on the arrivals level.
Travel time to Negombo town, just south of the airport, is typically under 20 minutes by road — making it a practical first or last night's destination for short-stay visitors.
What onward destinations are served from Katunayake Airport?
BIA connects Sri Lanka to major cities across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia. SriLankan Airlines operates the widest network of routes from Colombo, with hub connections through Dubai, Doha, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur served by several Gulf and Asian carriers. Charter flights, particularly from European markets, operate seasonally and land here during peak tourist periods between November and April.
Domestically, Cinnamon Air and other light-aircraft operators run scheduled and charter services from a separate general aviation apron adjacent to the main terminal, connecting to Sigiriya, Koggala, Batticaloa, and other regional airstrips.
Is there accommodation near Katunayake Airport?
A cluster of transit hotels and guesthouses has grown up within a few kilometres of the terminal, making overnight stays practical for early-morning departures or late-night arrivals. Options range from budget guesthouses to mid-range boutique properties. The town of Negombo — known for its beach strip, colonial Dutch heritage, and seafood restaurants — sits within easy reach and makes a worthwhile stopover rather than simply a transit point.
Travellers with a longer layover can also explore the Dutch Fort in Negombo, a compact 17th-century coastal fortification left behind by the Dutch colonial era, or take a short detour to see the lagoon fishing communities that have worked these waters for generations.
What immigration and customs rules should I know?
Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before arrival. Sri Lanka operates a single-window arrivals process combining immigration, health declarations, and customs. Visitors are required to complete an arrival card (now largely digital) before reaching immigration counters. Duty-free allowances apply on arrival for tobacco, spirits, and certain goods — check the Sri Lanka Customs website for the most current limits, as these are periodically revised.
The airport has separate fast-track immigration channels for diplomatic passport holders and, at certain times, for passengers with reduced mobility. Processing times vary significantly depending on the number of wide-body flights arriving simultaneously.
What facilities are available for long layovers?
The terminal's airside zone offers a reasonable range of food and retail options. Landside, particularly useful for transit passengers who clear immigration, several hotels within five to ten minutes by car offer day-use room options. Shower facilities and left-luggage storage are available within the terminal building, though exact locations and operating hours are best confirmed directly with the airport.
The airport's free Wi-Fi covers both the arrivals hall and the departures lounge. Seating areas can become crowded during overnight peak periods in December and January, so transit passengers with an early connection may prefer to book a transit hotel room for a few hours.
How far is Katunayake Airport from major Sri Lanka destinations?
| Destination | Approximate Distance | Approximate Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo city centre | 30 km | 45–75 min |
| Negombo | 8 km | 15–20 min |
| Kandy | 115 km | 2.5–3.5 hrs |
| Sigiriya | 175 km | 3.5–4.5 hrs |
| Ella | 250 km | 5–6 hrs |
| Galle / Southern Coast | 145 km | 2.5–3.5 hrs |
| Wilpattu National Park | 170 km | 3–4 hrs |
Drive times are indicative and depend heavily on time of day. The expressway network — particularly the E01 and E03 — has significantly cut journey times to Colombo, Galle, and Kandy over the past decade.
Tips for arriving at Katunayake Airport
- Arrange your ETA well in advance — applications can be submitted on the official Sri Lanka government immigration portal.
- Confirm your onward transport before landing, especially during December–January and April when arrivals are heaviest.
- Sri Lankan rupees can be drawn from ATMs immediately after clearing customs; exchange rates at the airport are generally competitive.
- SIM cards from Dialog and Mobitel are sold in the arrivals hall and offer reliable data coverage across most tourist routes.
- If you are heading directly to a national park such as Wilpattu — which lies north of the airport — BIA is a genuinely convenient starting point, saving the trip into and back out of Colombo.
