Layover Guide
Colombo
40 min from airport to city center
Places to stay
Search hotelsWhy Colombo scores 66
- 01Airport Express bus (45-60 min, ~$1)
- 02Taxi/Uber (45 min, $15-25)
- 03Train from Katunayake to Fort Station (1 hr, $0.50)
179 min by Airport-Fort
- 01Explore the vibrant Pettah Market bazaars for spices and textiles
- 02Visit Gangaramaya Temple with its eclectic Buddhist artifacts
- 03Stroll the Galle Face Green promenade at sunset with street food vendors
- 04Tour the colonial architecture of Fort district and Dutch Hospital shopping precinct
- 05Sample authentic rice and curry at Ministry of Crab or Upali's
Experiences in Colombo
See all- Pango's Bunwiches~60 min1 min walk
- Jabeen's Kitchen~60 min2 min walk
- The Keg~75 min2 min walk
- Olympia Cinema~75 min2 min walk
- Sharu Tours~90 min1 min walk
- HR Destination Dares~90 min1 min walk
- Colombo Lotus Tower4.5
- Gangaramaya Temple4.6
- Viharamahadevi Park4.4
- Independence Square4.6
- St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade.4.8
Need a room for your layover? Browse hotels near the airport.
Where to stay →Drop your luggage. Don't drag it around the city.
CMB Airport Left Luggage
Arrivals hall, ground floor
$3/bag
2 min walk
Cinnamon Grand Colombo
Colombo 3, near Galle Face
$45/day
0 min walk
From the terminal to the good part.
Airport Express Bus (187)
to-city
Runs every 30 min, stops at Fort Railway Station
55 min
$1.00
Taxi/PickMe
to-city
Fixed rate taxis available at arrivals, PickMe app recommended
45 min
$20.00
Train (Katunayake South to Colombo Fort)
to-city
Scenic but infrequent, check schedules
60 min
$0.50
Colombo City Tour Bus
Hop-on hop-off covering 14 attractions
Full loop takes 2 hours without stops
$15
per day
At the airport
- 01Spa Ceylon wellness lounge for Ayurvedic treatments
- 02Ceylon tea tasting at departure lounges
- 03Duty-free gems and handicrafts shopping
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