Car & Driver
Airport Pickup on a Multi-Day Trip: Negombo and Colombo
If your first or last day is only a short run between Colombo Airport (CMB) and Negombo or Colombo: distances, drive times and the lower rate.
On this page
Many flights land late, and many trips start or end with a night near the airport. SelFly is not an airport taxi service: it is a private car and English-speaking driver for a multi-day trip. But when the first or last day of that trip is only a short run between the airport and Negombo or Colombo, you do not pay for a full day. This page covers the distances, the drive times and how that day is priced.
How far the airport is
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is at Katunayake, on the coast north of Colombo. Negombo is the closest town and a common first or last night.
| From the airport to | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Negombo | About 10 km | About 20 minutes |
| Colombo | About 32 km | About an hour, longer at rush hour |
Traffic into Colombo is heavy in the morning and from late afternoon, so allow extra time if you have a flight or a booking to meet.
How the first or last day is priced
On a multi-day trip with a private car and driver, a day normally costs the vehicle's daily rate. If your first day is only the airport transfer, or your last day is only a transfer back, it is charged at a lower flat transfer rate for your vehicle instead.
- It applies to direct transfers between the airport and Negombo or Colombo, up to 50 km.
- A quick stop for food or groceries, or a little extra time after landing, is fine.
- It is meant for transfer days rather than sightseeing days. If the day grows into a longer drive or sightseeing, it is charged as a full day.
- The kilometres of a transfer day are kept separate from the 120 km a day allowance, so they do not use up the allowance for your other days.
You can tick the transfer option in the price calculator and the total updates straight away.
Landing late at night
Share your flight details when you book so we can plan the pickup around your landing time. For a late arrival, most travellers sleep in Negombo and start the main journey the next morning, which keeps the first day short and the rest of the trip rested. Late-night driving beyond a transfer should be agreed in advance.
Ending your trip near the airport
The same works at the end. If your flight leaves in the evening or early morning, many travellers spend the last night in Negombo and take a short direct transfer to the airport, which is charged at the transfer rate rather than a full day.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Colombo Airport from Negombo?
About 10 km, roughly 20 minutes by car.
How far is the airport from Colombo?
About 32 km. Allow about an hour, and more at rush hour.
Do I pay a full day if my first or last day is only an airport run?
No. If your first or last day is only a direct transfer between the airport and Negombo or Colombo, up to 50 km, it is charged at a lower flat rate for your vehicle.
Can we stop for food on the way?
A quick stop for food or groceries is fine. The reduced rate is for transfer days, so a day that becomes sightseeing is charged as a full day.
Does my driver speak English?
Yes. All SelFly drivers speak English.
See the price with an airport day.
Choose your vehicle and days in the calculator and tick the airport option for your first or last day to see the lower price.
