By air
Nearly all travelers arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), in Katunayake, about 35km north of Colombo. It is a reasonably modern airport that operates around the clock.
SriLankan Airlines (UL) is the national carrier and flies to European, Middle Eastern, and Asian hubs. Most travelers from Europe route through the Gulf — Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Etihad via Abu Dhabi all have frequent connections. Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines connect through Southeast Asia. From London, direct or single-stop flights take around 10–12 hours. From Sydney, expect 13–15 hours via a hub.
A second international airport, Mattala Rajapaksa International (HRI) near Hambantota, handles very little traffic and is rarely a practical option for tourists.
From the airport to Colombo, a metered taxi costs around LKR 3,000–4,500 (USD 10–15). The Katunayake Expressway has reduced driving time to about 45 minutes outside of rush hour. There is also a train from Katunayake to Colombo Fort (roughly 1.5 hours; very cheap), but services can be infrequent and involve a transfer.
Most visa-on-arrival countries now require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) arranged online in advance (USD 50 for most nationalities as of 2025). Check current requirements before you travel — the system has had periods of instability.
By sea
There are no regular international ferry services to Sri Lanka. Occasional cruise ships call at Colombo and Galle, but Sri Lanka is not on a practical overland or sea route from anywhere.