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Provided by: Pierre-Luc Auclair

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Asia Sri Lanka Colombo Tourist Information Public Transport

Overview

Public Transport

The guide was updated: 2022-08-24

Buses run from 5am–10pm and are generally crowded, slow, and a bit confusing. When in doubt about routes, bus numbers, and stops, ask a local. The best way to get around is to walk or flag down a trishaw. Always agree to a price before accepting a ride in a trishaw and pay the exact fare.

Useful Information

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is located 32km from the CBD. The simplest and quickest way to get into town is to take a taxi. Allow at least 1½ hours for your journey. Bus 187 runs every 30 minutes from 6h - 21h to Fort Bus Station. You have to take a free bus shuttle from the airport terminal to the bus stop. Be aware that the driver might try to charge tourists extra for luggage. The train station lies 500m from the airport with departures from 7h - 18h and it stops at many stations before reaching the city center. If you have heavy luggage, the best way to reach the train station is by Trishaw.

Passport/Visa

Passport/Visa

Citizens of the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore are exempt from requesting a visa. All other travelers need to submit an application online in order to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before visiting Sri Lanka. The ETA is valid for 30 days from the date of your arrival, however it may be extended for up to six months. For more information, visit the website:

Best Time To Visit

Best Time To Visit

With sunny and enjoyable weather pretty much all year round, there isn't really a bad time to explore Colombo. However, if you want to avoid the monsoon season, then don't plan your trip from June to September. Having said that, the best time to visit Colombo is usually from January to March, when days are more pleasant and when festivals such as the Duruthu Perahera and the Poya Festivals take place. If you want to get great prices on accommodation and flights, then May is the best month, when the city is also less crowded. Watch out for the beginning of the monsoon season! November and December are usually hot and humid, but that's when you can catch the Deepavali celebrations, the Hindu festival of lights, which last for five days.

Public Transport

Public Transport

Buses run from 5am–10pm and are generally crowded, slow, and a bit confusing. When in doubt about routes, bus numbers, and stops, ask a local. The best way to get around is to walk or flag down a trishaw. Always agree to a price before accepting a ride in a trishaw and pay the exact fare.

Taxi

Taxi

Taxi is the easiest and most comfortable way to get around the city. Most of the cars do not have a taxi meter so always decide on a price before the journey starts. Ace Cabs www.acecabs.lk +94 112 818 818 Kangaroo Cabs www.2588588.com +94 112 588 588 Or you can always download the Uber and the Taxiyak apps.

Postal Service

Postal Service

You can buy stamps in one of the post offices across town. You find the General Post Office at:

Pharmacy

Pharmacy

There are several pharmacies in Colombo, and some of them are located within a grocery store. The supermarket chain LAUGFS features pharmacies that are open 24 hours. Rajya Osu Sala is another drugstore chain and you find one of their outlets at:

Telephone

Telephone

Country code: +94 Area Code: 011

Electricity

Electricity

In Sri Lanka there are two plug types: D and G. D has three round pins in a triangular pattern while G has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern (same used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, for example). The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

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