Bus Station To Colombo Airport

Use the 187 Highway Express Intercity Bus service to Katunayake Airport from Colombo. It was very convenient and took a 45-minute bus ride. The driver charged me LKR 320 (local price) without any luggage. You can get off closer to the airport terminal before it goes to the Katunayake bus station. If you miss your bus stop, you will need a tuk-tuk to come back. Tell the driver in advance.

Took the “187 highway” minivan here on Saturday May 10 at 7:20pm. I arrived at this bus station just as a full minivan was about to leave and waited about 15 minutes for the next one to arrive. There was no room to put luggage really so I held both my big backpack and small backpack on my lap. It was a bit uncomfortable but I heard that sometimes they make you pay extra if you have luggage and I wasn’t about to have that. We arrived right at the departure terminal after 48 minutes. The driver did take the expressway but attempted to grab more passengers at every bus stop u til we got on the expressway. I went the day before to the bus stop to ask the price and they told me 300, so when I got out at the airport I just handed over 300 and said thanks.

Sept 2024: I took the night train from Ella and arrived next morning 6.30am at Colombo Fort Railway Station. Exit the railway station building, turn to your right. Continue to walk straight to pass few rows of shops stalls. At the traffic light, there is a small pathway in between the shops. Turn right and continue walking. You will see the bus station on your left and see number 4 platform. Look for number 1 platform. Walk till the end of this platform. You will meet the conductor of the minivan to airport. Tell him you want to go airport so that he knows when to get you to alight. (minivan is with air conditioner AC) I paid 600LKR for myself and one 50L backpack. Minivan departed at 6.55am and arrived 7.30am at the outside of the departure airport building. Minivan conductor will inform you when to alight. They will also fetch more passengers on the way to airport

(End of Sept 2024) The airport minibus (187) was super easy to find thanks to all the reviews 🙂 At the very end of platform 1, I got charged 300 rupees (had a medium sized 13kg backpack that i put in front of my seat/under my legs). The final stop is around 1 km from the airport, but it's all flat so the walk is ok 🙂

Finally found the location, first guy wanted to charge me an extra 300 LKR for my backpack, but I found somebody at bus stand who assisted me and put a stop to that nonsense. They lose 2 stars for that BS. Total cost February 2025 300 LKR

Hey, just a heads up if you're taking this bus – the one-way ticket is 300 rupees, but they might not give change back, and they could ask for more money if you've got luggage.

Very good service. Customer friendly.

Compact AC buses and very affordable via Highway. Fare is only 330 LKR ( May 2023). They drop right outside the departure area. These AC buses are available round the clock during day time but rarely found at night time.