Colombo Airport (CMB), officially Bandaranaike International Airport, is at Katunayake in Sri Lanka. Its passenger terminal has international departure, arrival and transit areas. Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana (RML), is a separate airport. Use the CMB code when booking flights or arranging a driver so that your journey starts at the correct Colombo airport.

Colombo Airport terminal and check-in

Follow the departure signs for the international passenger terminal. SriLankan Airlines is an airline at CMB. Find your flight's check-in area on the information screens, then follow the security, customs and departure immigration process towards the waiting areas and boarding gates.

Self-service check-in

Check-in kiosks are available in the departure lobby. Eligible SriLankan passengers can use a process involving document verification, printing boarding passes and bag tags, then dropping checked bags. A boarding pass from a kiosk or online check-in does not itself complete the checked-baggage process. Follow the staff's guidance on which document checks and bag-drop steps apply to your booking.

Getting to and from Colombo Airport

Airport taxi counters

The supervised airport taxi service has counters in the arrival lobby and arrival porch. After completing arrival formalities, use a counter to arrange transport to your address. Give the destination and explain your luggage or group requirements before choosing a vehicle.

Colombo's other airport

Ratmalana (RML) is a different Colombo-area airport, rather than another terminal of Bandaranaike. If a separate flight or ground transfer mentions Ratmalana, check the airport code and allow for a journey between the two locations. For a return taxi to CMB, specify Bandaranaike International Airport and the departure area when arranging the pickup.

Things to do and facilities at Colombo Airport

Araliya Lounge

Araliya Lounge is on Departure Level 1. It offers seating, food, Wi-Fi and showers. Admission depends on the airline, ticket cabin, membership or accepted lounge programme. A business-class booking does not automatically mean access to this particular lounge; check the lounge invitation or your programme's conditions before entering.

If you want a shower before continuing your journey, it is a facility inside Araliya Lounge and requires admission to that lounge. Ask staff where to find the shower after entering.

Currency exchange and cash

Currency exchange is available in the arrival public concourse and departure walkway. ATMs are in the arrival public concourse and departure outer porch, while re-exchange is also available in transit. Choose a service in the area you can access.

Mobility assistance

The terminal has lifts, wheelchairs and accessible toilets. SriLankan passengers who need a wheelchair should request assistance when booking and describe the support required. Follow the airline's eligibility and medical-document instructions, especially if you need help all the way to the aircraft.

Preparing to depart from Colombo Airport

Build your airport arrival plan around the airline's advice for the flight and check-in method you are using. A check-in closing time is earlier than the aircraft's departure time. Allow for baggage handling, inspections and reaching the gate after check-in. Consult the relevant authorities for the destination's entry requirements before leaving Sri Lanka.

Flights and flight schedule at Colombo Airport

Select a travel date on Traveloka to compare flights to or from CMB. The schedule shows planned flights by date, airline and time, helping you arrange transport around the journey. These Colombo routes provide starting points for comparing dates:

• Colombo to Bangalore flights
• Colombo to Bangkok flights
• Colombo to Chennai flights

Use flight status to look up a particular service. Compare baggage conditions alongside the date and airport code before completing your booking.