Guide · December–April season
Colombo airport to the south-coast beaches: prices and drive times
Colombo Airport → Mirissa: a private car costs sedan $145, KDH minivan $180, SUV $230, coach $330 per car in 2026 — 185 km, about 3 h, driver, fuel and tolls included. Bentota $80, Galle $115, Tangalle $170 per sedan; south-coast season December to April. Prices checked .
Updated
December to April is high season on the south and west coasts. From arrivals at Bandaranaike airport (CMB) a private car takes the expressways (E03, E02, then the Southern Expressway E01) to your beach hotel without a change; the price is per car, not per person, and there is no night surcharge.
Your driver is a licensed local driver we hand-picked in Sri Lanka. The confirmation names the driver, the car and its plate; on chauffeur-guide bookings also the SLTDA licence number.
Airport → beach, price per car (one way)
| Beach | Distance | Drive | Sedan (up to 3) | KDH minivan (up to 6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentota | 100 km | about 2 h | $80 | $110 |
| Hikkaduwa | 140 km | about 2 h 15 min | $110 | $130 |
| Galle | 150 km | about 2 h 30 min | $115 | $140 |
| Unawatuna | 155 km | about 2 h 35 min | $120 | $150 |
| Weligama | 175 km | about 2 h 45 min | $140 | $175 |
| Mirissa | 185 km | about 3 h | $145 | $180 |
| Tangalle | 215 km | about 3 h 30 min | $170 | $210 |
The way back to the airport costs the same as the way out. Prices per car, tolls and parking included.
Arriving at night
Many flights to Colombo land between midnight and 6 am. The driver tracks your flight, waits up to 60 minutes after landing with a name sign, and the price stays the same at any hour. If you would rather sleep first, Negombo is 10 km from the airport ($30 per sedan) and you continue south the next day.
Beach first, then the hill country — or the other way round
A classic winter plan is a few days on the south coast, then Ella and Kandy by car, and back to the airport. With a car with driver for every day it is $95 per day for a sedan; ready routes of 7, 10 and 14 days are priced per car for all days. Trains to the hill country are only partly running in 2026, so most travellers do this leg by car.
Good to know
- From May to September the south-west monsoon brings rain and rough sea to these beaches; the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) is then in season.
- Surfboards: tell us when you book, so we send a car they fit in (usually the KDH minivan).
- The weeks around Christmas and New Year are the busiest: book the airport transfer when you book your flight.
Transfers
Questions
How much is a taxi from Colombo airport to Mirissa?
$145 for a sedan, $180 for a KDH minivan, per car, one way, tolls included; about 3 hours on the expressways.
Which beach is closest to Colombo airport?
Negombo, 10 km away. On the south-west coast Bentota is the closest (about 100 km, 2 hours, $80 per sedan).
Is there a night surcharge for airport pickups?
No. The price is the same at any hour, and the driver waits up to 60 minutes after landing.
When is the season on the south coast?
Roughly December to April. From May to September the south-west monsoon brings rain there, and the east coast is in season instead.
How do we pay?
Pay 50% online to confirm, the rest in cash to the driver — or pay 100% online. Trips under $100 are paid in full online. Full refund if cancelled 24h+ before pickup (multi-day hire and tours: 7+ days before the start).