Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Colombo Bandaranaike Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
I concur with the other reviewers–turn left and walk to the end of the terminal–there is a small 24-hour convenience store with regular (not airport!) prices AND that’s where the chairs without armrests are. – Herodotus
CMB Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport.
What to Expect
Colombo Airport (Code: CMB) has two commercial terminals: the old Terminal 1 services international flights, and Terminal 3 handles domestic flights. Currently under construction, Terminal 2 is expected to replace Terminal 1 as the main international terminal in 2025.
Facilities include several shops and eateries, with some remaining open 24 hours. Unfortunately, many travellers have commented on expensive prices. WiFi is available in designated areas. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter a few lounges.
Sleeping in Colombo Airport
Travellers report that the airside area is more comfortable for sleeping, with a calmer vibe, better air conditioning and more seats. Check out the area near Gates 5-8. Landside can be crowded, and most seats have armrests. Common complaints are the frequent announcements and mosquitoes, so bring earplugs and mosquito repellent. For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel caters to transit travellers. Otherwise, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Colombo Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Bandaranaike Airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a transit hotel and several nearby hotels:
- Serenediva Transit Hotel – Located inside the airport on the 2nd level, above the main pier of the Arrival / Departure area, near the immigration counters. If you are in transit, you do not need to leave the airport or pass through immigration to access the hotel. The hotel is not accessible to travellers who have not passed through security. Rates from $80. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Colombo Bandaranaike Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Lotus First Class Lounge – Location: Departures Terminal, Airside, 1st Floor, adjacent to Gates 6 and 7. Hours: 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Silk Route Lounges – There are two Silk Route Lounges in the arrivals and departures sections. Hours: 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door. Prices start from $52. You can see the packages here.
- Executive Lounge – Location: Airside. Hours: 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the door. Prices start from $21.
- Araliya Lounge – Location: Airside. Hours: 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Gold Route Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the door. Prices start from $206.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
Araliya Lounge (Main Terminal, Airside) • Emirates Lounge (Main Terminal, Airside) • SriLankan Airlines Lounge (Main Terminal, Airside)
Related Pages: Bandaranaike Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
All of the airport’s restaurants are open 24 hours. Barista Coffee ▪ Burger King ▪ Cafe Nescafe ▪ Coffee Bean ▪ Ex Tea ▪ Palm Strip Bar & Restaurant ▪ Pizza Hut & Deli France ▪ Relax Inn ▪ S.V.H. Snacks. One reviewer reported that food from Relax Inn was considerably cheaper than other outlets.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
You can store your luggage at the Left Luggage counter in the Departures outer porch. Rates: US$ 6.00 for a small bag/24 hours and US$ 8.00 for an oversized bag. Hour: 24 hours. For valuables and other items you don’t wish to take into the country, Bond Baggage service is in front of Baggage Belt 4 in the Customs area. Rates: US$ 30.00 per bag/24 hours. Hours: 24 hours.
Mobile Charging
A reader let us know that mobile charging outlets can be found airside, in the duty free area. There are also several outlets on the upper level, next to the bank monitors, and in the corridor of the terminals.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
WiFi is available at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport in designated areas. A reader tells us, “there are computers available which can be used to access the internet if your three-hour WiFi voucher runs out. No chairs though.” (July 2022)
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Child Care Rooms – If you are travelling with an infant, there are baby care rooms for breastfeeding. Location: Airside.
Currency Exchange – Foreign currency exchange services are available in the arrivals and departures halls and the transit area. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available, and there is a good variety of shops to pass the time. All shops are open 24 hours.
Massage – Foot massages and more are available at Foot Rub. Location: Departure transit area. Hours: 24 hours.
Medical Services – If you feel unwell or injure yourself, a medical centre is available. Location: Arrivals Hall, Baggage Area. Hours: 24 hours.
Pharmacy – If you need to pick up any last-minute medication, stop by the Healthguard Pharmacy. Location: Departures Transit Area. Hours: 24 hours.
Porter Service – Available with a fee of Rs.100 per baggage.
Post Office – Send your last-minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s post office. Location: Arrivals Hall. Hours: 24 hours.
SIM Cards – A reader tells us, “Data SIMS can be purchased from the dialog in the duty-free area. ” (July 2022)
Telephone booths – Should you need to make a call, telephone booths are available both in the departure and arrival hall. Communication counters equipped with email and fax facilities are in the departure lobby and transit lounge.
Bus
Sri Lanka Transport Board operates public bus 187-E3 and runs from the airport’s car park to Colombo bus station every 30 minutes (total trip time: one hour). A one-way ticket costs Rs. 110. Beware of scammers attempting to charge baggage fees for the bus. There are no additional baggage fees for this bus service.
Hotel Shuttles
A few area hotels provide airport transportation: Ramada Katunayake Colombo International Airport • Tamarind Tree Hotel.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Airport Shuttle
A shuttle bus departs every 15 minutes from the airport terminal to the airport bus station located 500m from the terminal. From there, passengers can board inter-city buses. See above.
Mini Van Taxi
These multi-seater taxis are not cheaper than air-conditioned taxis but are useful to those travelling in small groups. The minivan taxi counter can be found in the Arrivals Hall. Locals primarily use this service, so foreign passport holders may be denied service.
Ridesharing
Uber is available.
Taxi
The Airport Taxi Service operates a fleet of over 600 vehicles. The taxi counter is located in the Arrivals Hall. Passengers can opt for a non-air-conditioned taxi service or pay a higher fare for a ride in an air-conditioned taxi.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.