Key hubs
Colombo airport and railway station
- Airport
- Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at Katunayake, about 32 km north of the centre; allow about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours by road depending on traffic and the expressway
- Railway station
- Colombo Fort (FOT) is the main station, with Maradana a couple of kilometres away. Main Line trains run to Kandy and Coastal Line trains to Galle; there is no airport express at present.
- Getting around
- Ride-hailing apps, tuk-tuks and private cars with drivers; walking is practical within Fort, Galle Face and Cinnamon Gardens but not between districts in the heat
How to reach Colombo by air
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at Katunayake is about 32 km north of central Colombo, roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours by road depending on traffic. Wikipedia lists direct flights from several Indian cities by SriLankan, IndiGo, Air India and FitsAir; confirm your route with the airline.
How to reach Colombo by train
Colombo Fort (FOT) is the main railway station, with Maradana a couple of kilometres away. The Main Line runs to Kandy and the Coastal Line to Galle. The Airport Express is no longer in operation as of 2024, so most travellers use a car.
How to reach Colombo by road
The Colombo-Katunayake Expressway links the airport and Negombo, and southern expressways connect Colombo with Galle and beyond. Kandy is about 3 to 4 hours by road, traffic dependent. Heavy rain can slow roads.
Getting around Colombo
Ride-hailing apps, tuk-tuks and hotel cars are the main options. Fort, Galle Face and Cinnamon Gardens are walkable in short stretches, but distances between districts and the heat make a car more comfortable, especially for older travellers.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Colombo
- Pettah is the hardest stop: narrow, crowded lanes with uneven surfaces. Use a car, a short route and a guide, or skip it.
- Carry travel insurance and a list of medicines; private hospitals such as Durdans (Colombo 3) and Nawaloka (Colombo 2) are central, but confirm what your policy covers.
- Hotel-arranged cars with drivers are more comfortable than tuk-tuks for older travellers in traffic and heat.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.