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Bandaranaike International Airport Guide (CMB)
Airport info
Code:
CMB
No. of terminals:
1
Dialling code:
+94
Address:
Canada Friendship Road, Katunayake, 11450, Sri Lanka
Location:
Bandaranaike International Airport is located 32km (20 miles) north of Colombo city centre.
Telephone:
+94 11 226 4444
Map:
Bandaranaike International Airport, colloquially known as Katunayake Airport, is the largest airport in Sri Lanka and serves the country’s capital, Colombo. Our Bandaranaike International Airport guide includes information on airport facilities, public transport access and nearby accommodation options.
There are information desks in both Arrivals and Departures. In addition to offering information relating to travel and the airport's facilities, it also has photocopying equipment for use by travellers. A tourist information office is also available in Arrivals.
Emails for all divisions can be found on the airport website under contact us.
A new expressway linking Colombo and Katunayake opened in October 2013 providing a much quicker route than the A003 (Negombo Road). Using the expressway, head north from central Colombo using the A1 to Katunayake Expressway E03. Follow the E03 then continue onto Canada Friendship road; the journey takes around 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Public Transport
Bus: An airport shuttle transports passengers to the main bus terminal 500m (1,640ft) from the terminal, from which intercity buses operate. Bus 187 leaves for central Colombo every 30 minutes (one-way journey to the airport costs eRs 110) from 0530 to 2030. Rides to central Colombo via bus take about 45 minutes.
Shuttle: Most hotels and tour operators offer transport from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport; but it is advised to confirm in advance.
Taxi: Taxis are available outside the terminal at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. The airport taxi service (tel: + 94 11 225 2861) operates a counter in the arrival hall's inner lobby and has a fleet of over 600 vehicles. Prices to Colombo start at around Rs.2,800. Air-conditioned vehicles are more expensive.
Plane: Cinnamon Air (tel: +94 11 247 5475; www.cinnamonair.com) operates flights in small aircraft, including seaplanes, from Bandanairaike Airport to a number of scenic spots and other destinations around Sri Lanka. Full details of schedules and fares can be found on the company's website.
Terminal facilities
A number of banks operate at the arrival lobby and in the transit area, providing currency exchange facilities. ATMs and currency exchanges are available throughout both terminals.
There is a post office in Arrivals. Telephone booths can be found in the arrival, departure and transit areas. A communications counter is located in the transit lounge with international direct dialling, email and fax facilities.
Restaurants (run by Sri Lankan Airlines) serving local and international cuisine are located in Departures and the transit lounge. Numerous snack bars and cafés are also available.
A wide range of duty-free shops can be found both in Arrivals and Departures. These sell a variety of products, including electronic goods, household items, wines and spirits, handicrafts, silk items, jewellery, perfumes and teas.
Travellers visiting Sri Lanka for up to 45 days can take advantage of the airport's bond baggage facility. The baggage will be checked by customs and airport security and will then be sealed and transferred to the departure terminal, where it will be stored until your next flight at a cost of Rs 1,000 per bag per day. Enquiries about lost luggage should be directed to either the information desk or to the airline office. Fixed-fee porters are available landside.
A first-aid centre staffed with qualified nurses is located in the immigration area of Arrivals. Fully air-conditioned day rooms with attached toilets are situated in the arrival and departure halls for transit passengers who wish to rest. Shower rooms are also available in the transit lounge. Numerous tour operators are represented at the airport, along with several hotels.
Airport facilities
A business centre can be found in the transit hall on the ground floor of the terminal. International direct dialling, fax machines and photocopiers are available. In addition, there are three business and first-class lounges at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. Meeting facilities are available at the nearby Gateway Airport Garden hotel (tel: +94 11 544 0000; www.thegatewayhotels.com).
There are three parking areas at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. The terminal car park can accommodate 400 vehicles on short-term rates; while the remote car park, about 300m (984ft) from the terminal, is for long-term parking.
Several car hire companies, including Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, and several local operators, are represented at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. Some cars come with a driver as standard. Car rental counters are situated in Arrivals.
Aimed purely at transit passengers not needing to pass through immigration, this is a small luxury facility with rooms available for short-term occupancy. The transit hotel is located close to the airport’s airside shops and dining facilities.
Bandaranaike Airport terminal,
Katunayake,
Sri Lanka
The Ramada is situated near a lagoon, around 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. The hotel offers business facilities (including meeting rooms and a conference hall), as well as a fitness centre, on-site restaurant, a sauna and airport shuttle bus service.
842 Negombo Road, Seeduwa,
11410,
Katunayake,
Sri Lanka
Set within a large coconut plantation 6km (3.7 miles) from the airport, the 113-room Gateway Airport Garden hotel boasts a fitness centre and pool, several meeting rooms, a beauty parlour and a hairdresser. The hotel’s own restaurant serves local, Indian and international food.
234-238 Colombo-Negombo Road, Seeduwa,
11410,
Negombo ,
Sri Lanka
A five-minute drive (or taxi ride) from the airport, Hotel Empyrean is a small hotel offering budget accommodation. This hotel offers one-way free airport drop-off/ pick-up services. Rooms feature a fridge, a TV with satellite channels and air conditioning. Bookings are accepted online only.
Airport, Minuwangoda Road, Naikanda,
11450,
Katunayake,
Sri Lanka
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