TravelTips24 : Asia : South Asia : Sri Lanka : Colombo

Colombo

Check the new Colombo travel forum

Colombo is the capital and the business centre of Sri Lanka.

Culture and History

Weather wise, the best time to visit is during the North East monsoon season, which is November to April

Sri Lanka is a safe country with tight security. The humanitarian movement continues to provide a very safe atmosphere.

Travel to Colombo & Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Colombo

There is air service to and from Colombo, provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines. Flights are available from origins throughout Europe, United States, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Other airlines, include Qatar Airlines and Emirates. If you were to Fly Emirates, you can stop over in Colombo on your way to Singapore (e.g. Dubai - Colombo - Singapore)

Colombo's international airport is at Katunayake, close to Negombo, on the coast north of Colombo. The journey to Colombo will take about an hour by taxi.

By train

By car

Buses to Colombo

By boat

Indian Ocean Cruises [1] operates a cruise liner to Colombo as part of it's itinerary along the west coast of India & to the uninhabited Lakshwadeep Islands.

Getting into Colombo from Katunayaka airport

By Taxi

There a a couple of options.

Local Taxi (mini van)

One is the taxi service provided by the taxi counter in the arrivals hall (the counter was situated next to the Tourist Information booth; not sure if it's still the case). What they provide is a mini van without air conditioning but it will be about a third cheaper than taxis provided by 'hotels'. It is worth noting that this service is primarily intended for the locals so, the counter staff may try to persuade you to go to one of the 'hotel taxi' counters outside the arrivals hall but insist that you only want a mini van!

Hotel Taxi

Most four and five start hotels have their own counter just outside the arrivals hall. You can get a taxi from one of these places. They will supply an air conditioned car and the cost to Galle Face could be about Rs 2,600 (as of July 2008).

By Bus

This is the cheapest way to get into Colombo but will take some effort and time. There are private, air conditioned mini buses from Katunayake airport to Colombo Fort (where the main railway station is). These buses used to stop outside the airport but as of Dec 2007, they start from the bus depot just outside the airport. You can get there by free shuttle or walk (about 10 - 15 mins). To catch a shuttle bus, come out of the airport, turn left and walk all the way to the end of the building. You will not find any signs so ask a few people (it is not unusual for people to give you an answer, even if wrong, in order to be polite. So, I always ask a few people and compare the answers!).

Once to get to the bus depot, you can catch a bus to Colombo Fort. The journey cost me Rs 60 in Dec 2007. The buses do not have any space for luggage so, I usually buy two or three seats for my luggage).

The journey into Colombo Fort could take anything between an hour and fifteen to two hours. The bus will stop at major town en route . They also have collapsible seats along the aisle which will get used as the bus becomes busy so, try to get a seat at the front. The one opposite the door is preferable! Ask the conductor to tell you when the bus gets to the Fort station (as opposed to the Colombo bus depot). Note that some buses do not go as far as the Fort station and stop at the bus depot, which is about 5 min walk from the station. Others go via the depot to fort station and then double back to the bus depot.

Once you reach Colombo Fort, you can get a three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) to get to your destination. You will pay a little premium for catching a tuk-tuk from the bus station or outside Fort station (on the main road so there will be a choice of tuk-tuks) but it should not cost more than Rs 150 to go to hotels near Galle Face (e.g. Cinnamon Grand, Taj or Galle Face Hotel).

You can also catch a bus to Galle Face (less than Rs 10) but you will not we welcome on-board with large luggage. You may get away with a backpack though.

Tours & Getting around Colombo

In Colombo, everything works that works for the country (see Sri Lanka#Get around).

Getting around by Tri-shaw (Three wheeler, tuk-tuk) is most convenient. You should always negotiate, bargain and agree on a price before you take a trip. For shorter trips inside Colombo you can skip the dealing and just pay Rs. 200 when you get off. If they argue, just tell them 200 is double of what locals would pay.

Taxi is also good. The cars often have meters starting on Rs. 40. You seldom pay more than Rs. 200 for a trip inside Colombo. Rs. 500 will get you to Mount Lavinia. Then you get more safety than in a threewheeler. And you get A/C.

Colombo attractions and sightseeing

Museums