Arriving in Colombo: the 187 Airport Bus, the Airport Taxi Service and the 1912 Hotline

How to get from Bandaranaike International Airport into Colombo: the 24-hour route 187 bus to Colombo Fort, the bus to Makumbura, the airport-supervised taxi counters, app taxis, and the tourist police and 1912 hotline.

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✓ Checked and fact-checked November 4, 2026

A Colombo seafront road at sunset, palm trees along an ocean promenade, a three-wheeler and cars passing mid-rise buildings

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is at Katunayake, north of Colombo. Before you fly, get your Sri Lanka ETA and read what Sri Lanka customs allows.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), which runs the airport, lists “app-based taxi services, public transport, the AASL managed Airport Taxi Service, and private taxi services” as the ways out. Its ground transport desk is on +94 11 225 2861.

The 187 bus to Colombo Fort

The airport says the Route No. 187 Airport - Colombo Fort Luxury Bus Service runs “24 hours a day, allowing you to reach Colombo / Colombo Fort Railway Station in approximately 50 minutes.” It runs via the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway.

Where to board: the Departure Terminal Outer Porch.
Fare: Rs 325 per passenger.
Baggage over 23 kg: Rs 325 extra.

For complaints or questions, the operator lists +94 11 224 7150.

Infographic, step 2 of 4. The 187 bus, airport to Colombo Fort, 24 hours: Rs 325 per passenger, about 50 minutes to Colombo Fort. Board at the Departure Terminal Outer Porch. Baggage over 23 kg: Rs 325 extra. It runs on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway. — Step 2 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.

The bus to Makumbura

Air-conditioned buses also run to the Makumbura Multimodal Center, in about 50 minutes. They leave from the Arrival Outer Porch, opposite the Buddha statue. The fare is Rs 410 per passenger, with Rs 410 more for baggage over 23 kg.

The Airport Taxi Service

The airport says its taxi service, “supervised by Airport and Aviation Services”, operates counters in the arrival lobby and the arrival porch, with a fleet of over 600 vehicles. It is on +94 11 226 3096. The airport adds two charges:

Rs 130 for each extra kilometre beyond the destination you asked for.
Rs 300 for each extra drop within the agreed journey.

Private operators also have counters in the arrival lobby, and the airport lists Uber and PickMe among the app-based options.

Infographic, step 3 of 4. The Airport Taxi Service, supervised by the airport. Counters in the arrival lobby and the arrival porch. Rs 130 per extra km beyond the destination you asked for. Rs 300 per extra drop within the agreed journey. Airport taxi service: +94 11 226 3096. — Step 3 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.

Booking Uber or PickMe means having data before you leave the terminal. A Saily eSIM set up at home is online when you land at Katunayake. If Sri Lanka is one stop on a longer trip, add the next country to your Saily profile.

Emergency and tourist numbers

Sri Lanka Tourism says “tourists can dial 1912 and obtain all information related to local tourism and travel”, and that the hotline can connect you to the Tourism Police Division. It lists the Tourist Police on 011-2421052. The airport lists the police on 119, an ambulance on 1990 and the fire service on 110.

Infographic, step 4 of 4. Help in Sri Lanka, save these numbers: 1912 tourism hotline, 011-2421052 Tourist Police, 119 police, 1990 ambulance, 110 fire. 1912 can connect you to the Tourism Police Division. — Step 4 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.

Saily, a data eSIM you install before you fly and top up per country Our full write-up. (affiliate link)