Car Rental at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport

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Colombo Bandaranaike Airport, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Mini
Perodua Axia or similar
Perodua Axia
  • 2
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
$49.89 / per day
Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Economy
Toyota Vitz or similar
Toyota Vitz
  • 4
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
GreenMotion
$55.22 / per day
Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Compact
Mazda Familia STW or similar
Mazda Familia STW
  • 4
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SR Rent A Car
$57.88 / per day
Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Intermediate
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid or similar
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
  • 5
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$100.73 / per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Economy Elite
Perodua Bezza or similar
Perodua Bezza
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SR Rent A Car
$57.88 / per day
Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Standard
Toyota Premio or similar
Toyota Premio
  • 4
  • 3
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
$79.82 / per day
Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Full-size SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe or similar
Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$108.77 / per day
Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
Oversized Van
Toyota Hiace or similar
Toyota Hiace
  • 6
  • 6
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SR Rent A Car
$136.56 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 06:05 on 2024-04-21. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.

Travel Information

Languages
Sinhala, English
Currency
LKR
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+94
Average car rental price
$81 per day
Average car rental length
10 days
Speed limit within town
60 km/h or 37 mph
Speed limit out of town
70 - 100 km/h or 43 - 62 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.00%
Rating
9.2 / 10
Colombo Bandaranaike Airport

Airport Car Rental

Colombo Airport, also known as Bandaranaike International Airport and Katunayake Airport is the main international airport in Sri Lanka. Located in the nearby city of Katunayake, this bustling airport is the main port of entry into Sri Lanka, serving over 10 million visitors annually. With a well-maintained road network and beautiful scenery, renting a car from Colombo airport is an ideal way to explore the city and the island beyond. 

Here are some interesting facts about Colombo:

  • Colombo is the largest, and main city in Sri Lanka, with a population of over 5 million people. 

  • Colombo is situated on the west coast of the island nation, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

  • The city is a cultural melting pot, with many ethnic influences including the Sinhalese, Tamils, and Moors.

  • Colombo is also the primary transportation hub of Sri Lanka, with road and rail networks connecting other major destinations in cluding Kandy, Ella, and the southern beach districts.

  • Colombo is home to several significant religious sites, including the historic St Anthony’s Church, the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, and the Gangaramaya Temple.

And here are some intersting things to do and see in Colombo:

  • The Galle Face Green. A popular urban park situated on the coast of Colombo. This is an excellent place to sit, relax, and enjoy amazing views over the Indian Ocean during sunset.

  • Colombo Fort. Visit the historic district of Colombo. Originally built by the Portugese and later expanded by the British and Dutch, this area is now the financial hub of the city.

  • Gangaramaya Temple. One of the most important Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, this unique temple features a mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, and Indian architecture. There’s also a fascinating museum attached, housing a collection of religious artifacts.

  • Sri Lankan Railway. Experience the iconic Sri Lankan train system with affordable and regular departures to major cities and tourist areas in Sri Lanka. Take the train and explore the vibrant sister city of Kandy, or stop off in Ella and go hiking amongst the tea plantations. 

  • Colombo National Museum. In many ways, it is  the most important museum of Sri Lanka, and it’s the right place to learn about the island nation’s (and its capital’s) long and varied history. Built for the purpose in the 1870s, the beautiful museum building is in the city center, near Viharamahadevi Park and the town hall. Visit its official website to learn more about collections and admission.
  • Attidiya Bird Sanctuary. Located on the southern outskirts of the city, Attidiya is a marshland that’s been turned into a nature preserve. Known for its rich flora, the sanctuary is home to a large number of wading bird species, but also raptors like the Brahminy kites. The drive from the city center takes about 20 minutes.

Top international routes

  • Chennai
  • Male
  • Dubai
  • Doha
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Singapore

Main airlines

SriLankan Airlines, Cinnamon Air, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, IndiGo, and Korean Air

Terminals

Terminal 1 serves international flights while Terminal 3 serves domestic flights. The terminals are close to each other and you can walk between them, but you’ll have to go through security and customs. Terminal 2 is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019.

Location

Colombo Airport is about 32 km (20 mi) north of the city of Colombo. Katunayake Highway/E03 and Motorway A1 are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

  • Station wagons - from $58 per day
  • Large cars - from $69 per day
  • Medium cars - from $60 per day
  • Vans - from $106 per day
  • Premium cars - from $239 per day
  • Small cars - from $50 per day
  • SUVs - from $109 per day

Car rental desks

Some desks are inside the airport terminal, while other rental companies offer free shuttle service to their nearby facilities. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.

Services and facilities

You’ll find different kinds of shops, including duty-free outlets in both the arrivals and departures zones, as well bars, cafeterias, and restaurants serving both international and Sri Lankan cuisine. There are ATMs, currency exchanges, a first aid center, a pharmacy, showers, an on-site hotel, child care rooms, a foot massage salon, a spa, outlets for charging mobile devices, and a post office. Luggage storage is on the outer porch in the departures area. The airport’s facilities are equipped for travelers with reduced mobility; assistance can also be requested, but make sure to contact your airline in advance if you’d like this service.

Nearest gas station

Lanka Fuel station at 699/b Katunayaka can be reached in about eight minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations near Colombo Airport and on the way to the city.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Olly Gaspar
This article was reviewed and updated by Olly Gaspar, a professional adventure travel photographer and writer. He has spent the past five years documenting his full-time travels around the world on his blog We Seek Travel.

Airport info

Rating
6.6
  • Getting to the airport 7.4
  • Check-in and departures 7.3
  • Terminal facilities 6.6
  • Wi-Fi 5.9
  • Restaurants and car rental services 6.2
  • Lounge 6.2

Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB)

  • IATA: CMB
  • ICAO: VCBI
  • Name: Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB)
  • Distance from city: 19.9 miles / 32 km

Top 2 Locations near Colombo Bandaranaike Airport

Map of Car Rental Locations

When are car rental prices the lowest at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport?

The cost of renting a car at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport varies by season. This graph compares prices from month to month in order to help you find the best time of year.
Average rental costs per day at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
$47.03
January
$42.74
February
$49.42
March
$49.49
April
$36.56
May
$37.98
June
$44.13
July
$48.90
August
$46.23
September
$45.87
October
$38.76
November
$48.63
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport is May — when rental costs average $36.56 per day. This is 18% cheaper than the yearly average and 26% cheaper than renting a car in April (when prices average $49.49 per day).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport?

How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in July the average rental period is 16 days, while in April, the average rental period is only 7 days.
Average number of rental days at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
10
January
10
February
8
March
7
April
10
May
10
June
16
July
12
August
11
September
7
October
10
November
9
December

What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport?

Based on how many users search for a car in at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport, travelers are most likely to rent a car at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport in December, while they are least likely to rent in in November.
Monthly searches at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport by pick-up date relative to the average
170%
January
113%
February
108%
March
57%
April
52%
May
83%
June
99%
July
118%
August
52%
September
40%
October
38%
November
271%
December

Car Rental Information

Popular suppliers SR Rent A Car, GreenMotion, SIXT, Europcar
Popular car categories Small cars, Large cars, Station wagons, SUVs
Lowest price $50 per day
Cheapest supplier Europcar

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
SR Rent A Car Perodua Axia 5 1 Small cars
SR Rent A Car Suzuki Swift 5 1 Small cars
SR Rent A Car Toyota Corolla 4 2 Large cars
SR Rent A Car Mazda Demio 4 2 Small cars
SR Rent A Car Suzuki Swift 2 1 Small cars
SR Rent A Car Mazda Familia STW 4 3 Station wagons
SR Rent A Car Mazda Familia STW 5 3 Station wagons
SR Rent A Car Hyundai Tucson 5 3 SUVs
GreenMotion Toyota Vitz 5 2 Small cars
SR Rent A Car Nissan Sunny 4 2 Medium cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

Singapore
Toyota Prius
January 3, 2024
Srilanka is amazing. Food, nature spots, people.
Qatar
Mazda Demio
December 28, 2022
customer photo
United Kingdom
Hyundai Grand I10
October 25, 2019
Driving in Sri Lanka is possible but not for the "faint hearted", especially in Colombo which has poor/non existant road signs and very congested - but it can be achieved :)
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Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
SIXT
7.9 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
SR Rent A Car
5.6 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
4
Total rental companies
4
Average daily price
$80.84
Lowest daily price
$49.89
Total cars available
80

Top 4 Suppliers at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport in 2024

SIXT
SIXT
Good 7.9 / 4 reviews
+94112870870
Canada Frienship Road
$56 - $245
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
Europcar
Europcar
Good 7.7 / 1 review
+94763780729
CANADA FRIENDSHIP RD,, KATUNAYAKA, 11450 KATUNAYAKA SRI LANKA
$50 - $239
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Good 7.6 / 1 review
+94114941650 / +94763880729 / +94777899877
Bandaranayake International Airport
$51 - $375
Working hours
Mon:00:01-23:59
Tue:00:01-23:59
Wed:00:01-23:59
Thu:00:01-23:59
Fri:00:01-23:59
Sat:00:01-23:59
Sun:00:01-23:59
SR Rent A Car
Poor 5.6 / 47 reviews
+94777780729
No.371-5, Negombo Road, Seeduwa, Colombo
$56 - $250
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
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