Colombo Airport to Kandy Taxi & Private Transfer
Bandaranaike International (CMB) to Kandy - approx. 3 to 3.5 hours
Kandy is the most common first stop after landing in Sri Lanka, and the transfer from Bandaranaike International Airport is around 105 km through Kurunegala or via the expressway and Kadugannawa Pass. Expect three to three and a half hours depending on traffic and time of day. We quote one fixed price per vehicle - not per person - and it does not change if your flight is late.
Prices
| Vehicle | Suitable for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Toyota Axio or similar) | 3 passengers, 2 large cases | USD 55 |
| Mini van (Toyota KDH or similar) | 6 passengers, 6 large cases | USD 75 |
| High-roof van | 9 passengers, 9 large cases | USD 95 |
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and are confirmed in writing before you travel. Fuel, expressway tolls and government taxes are included.
What the transfer looks like
We track your flight, so a delay costs you nothing and nobody leaves without you. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name board, helps with luggage, and the vehicle is air conditioned and cleaned before every job.
The drive is a genuinely scenic one and there is no reason to rush it. Most guests stop at Pinnawala or a spice garden along the way; both add roughly an hour and neither costs extra in transfer fees. Tell your driver on the day - the itinerary is yours.
Why not the train or a bus
There is no direct train from the airport. You would need a taxi to Colombo Fort, then a three-and-a-half hour train, then a tuk-tuk at the far end - roughly six hours door to door with luggage, after a long-haul flight.
Buses are cheap but slow, crowded and awkward with cases. For two or more people the price difference against a private car largely disappears once you account for the connecting legs.
Night arrivals
A large share of flights into CMB land between midnight and 5am. We do not charge a night surcharge, and arriving in Kandy at 4am is fine - your driver will have confirmed with your hotel that someone is expecting you.
Colombo Airport to Kandy Taxi - frequently asked questions
From USD 55 for a sedan carrying up to three passengers, USD 75 for a mini van and USD 95 for a high-roof van. The price is per vehicle, fixed at booking, and includes fuel, tolls and taxes with no night surcharge.
Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours for the 105 km, depending on traffic and the route. Add around an hour if you stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage or a spice garden, which many guests do.
Nothing changes. We track your flight number and adjust the pickup automatically. Waiting time for delayed flights is free and the fixed price is unaffected.
Not directly. You would need a taxi to Colombo Fort station, then a train of about 3.5 hours, then onward transport in Kandy - roughly six hours door to door with luggage. A private transfer is faster and, for two or more people, comparable in cost.
Yes. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is close to our home base in Rambukkana and sits directly on the route. It adds roughly an hour and there is no extra transfer charge - just the entrance fee.
