Car Rental at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
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Cheapest car rental rates
Mini
Suzuki Celerio or similar
$43.37 per day
Economy
Nissan March or similar
$48.37 per day
Intermediate
Toyota Axio Hybrid or similar
$59.07 per day
Compact
Toyota Aqua or similar
$90.14 per day
Most popular car rental deals
Standard
Toyota Prius or similar
$56.73 per day
Economy Elite
Perodua Bezza or similar
$60.82 per day
Full-size
Toyota Allion or similar
$75.67 per day
Premium SUV
MG ZS or similar
$93.48 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 1:21 AM on 2/13/25. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader, we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (4 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 175k+ total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Travel information
Languages
Sinhala, English
Currency
LKR
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+94
Average car rental price
$66 per day
Average car rental length
9 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%
Airport travel guide
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.
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The city is a cultural melting pot, with many ethnic influences including the Sinhalese, Tamils, and Moors.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 $92 per day
- Large cars - from $56 per day
- Medium cars - from $58 per day
- Vans - from $76 per day
- Premium cars - from $334 per day
- Small cars - from $43 per day
- SUVs - from $68 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.
Airport info
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
-
27.9 km / 17.3 miles away
-
28.1 km / 17.5 miles away
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. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport is May — when rental costs average $36.16 per day. This is 27% cheaper than the yearly average and 49% cheaper than renting a car in December (when prices average $70.43 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.
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 October the average rental period is 12 days, while in April, the average rental period is only 7 days.
Average number of rental days at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport
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 in December, while they are least likely to rent in in April.
Monthly searches at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Popular suppliers | SR Rent A Car, Elite Rent A Car, GreenMotion, Avawia Tours, Europcar |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Large cars, Medium cars, Station wagons |
| Lowest price | $43 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Elite Rent A Car |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR Rent A Car | Suzuki Swift | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| SR Rent A Car | Mazda Demio | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| GreenMotion | Toyota Vitz | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| SR Rent A Car | Perodua Axia | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Avawia Tours | Kia Picanto | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| SR Rent A Car | Mazda Familia STW | 5 | 3 | Station wagons |
| SR Rent A Car | Nissan Sunny | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| SR Rent A Car | Toyota Axio Hybrid | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Elite Rent A Car | Toyota Aqua | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| SR Rent A Car | Nissan March | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
Our customers' reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the 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.
IB
Israel
Kia Picanto
10/28/24
Sri Lanka is an amazing country, with so much to offer - beautiful beaches, amazing wildlife, unique geological formations and great views, but above all - people that are welcoming, allways smiling and providing visitors a great experience. 
RS
Singapore
Toyota Prius
1/3/24
Srilanka is amazing. Food, nature spots, people.
RA
Qatar
Mazda Demio
12/28/22 
TY
United Kingdom
Hyundai Grand I10
10/25/19
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 :)
Car rental statistics
Highest-rated company
SIXT
8 / 10
Lowest-rated company
SR Rent A Car
5.9 / 10
Total number of reviews
5
Total rental companies
5
Average daily price
$65.96
Lowest daily price
$43.37
Total cars available
67
Top 5 suppliers at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport in 2025
SIXT
+94112870870
Canada Frienship Road
$57 - $65
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
+94763780729
CANADA FRIENDSHIP RD,,
KATUNAYAKA,
11450 KATUNAYAKA
SRI LANKA
$70 - $200
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
Elite Rent A Car
+94761414555 / +94761414555
371/5/1/1, Negombo Road, Seeduwa, Sri Lanka
$43 - $672
Working hours
Mon:
07:00 - 23:59
Tue:
07:00 - 23:59
Wed:
07:00 - 23:59
Thu:
07:00 - 23:59
Fri:
07:00 - 23:59
Sat:
07:00 - 23:59
Sun:
07:00 - 23:59
Avawia Tours
+94713900200 / +94775858966
155, 3 Negombo-Minuwangoda Rd, Negombo, Colombo
$49 - $114
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
+94777780729
371-5 Negombo - Colombo Main Rd, Sr Rent, Seeduwa
$48 - $383
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
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
Highly recommended by our customers
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