Almost every visitor to Sri Lanka arrives through the same gateway: Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), commonly known as Colombo Airport or, locally, Katunayake Airport. Here's what to know about the country's main air hub before you land.
Where It Is and What It's Called
BIA sits in Katunayake, roughly 32km north of central Colombo — not directly in the city itself, so budget around 45 minutes to an hour for the drive into town depending on traffic. The airport code is CMB, and you may see it referred to interchangeably as Colombo Airport, Bandaranaike International, or Katunayake Airport, all describing the same facility.
A Brief History
The airport's site began life as a Royal Air Force base during World War II, before being converted into Sri Lanka's main international airport in 1967, replacing the older Ratmalana Airport. It's named after S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, a former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Today it serves as the hub for SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, alongside dozens of other international airlines connecting the island to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Terminals
BIA operates multiple terminals serving different types of traffic:
- Terminal 1 — the original international terminal, opened in 1967, handling the bulk of international flights with around 12 gates
- Terminal 2 — a newer international terminal, part of an ongoing expansion project to boost the airport's overall capacity
- Terminal 3 — the dedicated domestic terminal, opened in 2012, handling flights to destinations within Sri Lanka
What's Available Inside
BIA's terminals offer a fairly standard range of airport amenities: duty-free shopping, restaurants and cafés, currency exchange counters, ATMs, free Wi-Fi throughout designated areas, and airline lounges including SriLankan Airlines' Serendib Lounge. A dedicated transit hotel is available for passengers with longer layovers.
Immigration and Arrival Time
Passenger processing — immigration, baggage claim, and customs — typically takes somewhere between 1.5 and 3 hours for international arrivals, depending on how busy the airport is at the time. Building in some buffer before you're expected anywhere (a hotel check-in, a rental car pickup, a pre-arranged transfer) is worth doing rather than cutting it close.
Getting Into Colombo and Beyond
Ground transport options from BIA include:
- Official airport taxis, bookable at a counter in the arrivals lobby, operated by Airport and Aviation Services
- Private taxis and ride-hailing apps, available but sometimes limited by availability
- Public and private buses, the most budget-friendly option into the city
- Self-drive car rental, letting you head straight out on your own schedule rather than arranging a separate transfer first
If a self-drive rental is part of your plan, see our dedicated guide on car rental at Colombo Airport for what to expect at pickup.
Currency Exchange
Banks and exchange counters at the airport offer convenient, if not always the best, exchange rates. It's generally worth exchanging only a small amount at the airport for immediate needs — taxi fare, a snack, tipping — and doing larger currency exchanges at banks or licensed exchange counters once you're in the city, where rates are often more favorable.
Documents to Have Ready
Before joining the immigration queue, make sure you have your passport, your approved ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) confirmation, and proof of onward travel if requested. See our guide on Sri Lanka visa costs for the current ETA fee structure and application process.
Flying Out
If you're self-driving during your trip and returning to BIA for departure, plan for potentially unpredictable traffic around the airport, particularly during peak arrival and departure windows. Confirm your vehicle return location and timing with your rental provider well before your final day, and build in the same 1.5–3 hour buffer for security and check-in that you'd allow on arrival.
Landing at Sri Lanka's main airport?
Book Your Self-Drive Rental with iWay →Final Thoughts
Bandaranaike International Airport is straightforward to navigate once you know the basics — which terminal to expect, how long processing typically takes, and how you'll get from the arrivals hall to the rest of your trip. Plan your onward transport in advance, and you'll be on the road exploring Sri Lanka within your first couple of hours on the island.
