Airport and private transfers
A private transfer from Bandaranaike International Airport costs $16.62 to $221.70 for the whole vehicle, depending on the town and whether you take a car or a van. The same rates apply between any two towns. Nothing to pay now.
Price your transfer
Bandaranaike International Airport to Kandy
$54.42for the vehicle
Car for 2, about 101 km, about 3 h 15 min. Tolls, fuel and a meet-and-greet included.
A date is needed to book.
Nothing to pay now. You pay your driver in cash when the trip starts. Plans change? Cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup. Replies within 30 minutes, 07:00 to 21:00 Sri Lanka time.
.jpg){kind=link}
How the price works
You pay for the vehicle, not per person. Everyone in it shares one price.
Each vehicle has a fixed amount plus a rate per kilometre, shown further down this page.
Example, by car from the airport to Kandy: $12 plus 101 km at $0.42 a kilometre is $54.42, the figure the table and the booker show.
You pay your driver in cash when the trip starts. No deposit, no card details online.
Want to stop and see things on the way? A transfer is a direct drive. For stops, see car with driver or build your trip.
From the airport, by town
One-way prices from Bandaranaike International Airport for the whole vehicle. A car seats 2 comfortably, 3 at most. A van seats 5 comfortably, 6 at most.
| To | Km | Planning time | Car | Van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negombo | 11 | 30 min | $16.62 | $22.05 |
| Colombo | 33 | 45 min | $25.86 | $34.15 |
| Kandy | 101 | 3 h 15 min | $54.42 | $71.55 |
| Bentota (Beruwala, Kalutara and Ahungalla) | 107 | 1 h 45 min | $56.94 | $74.85 |
| Hikkaduwa | 141 | 2 h 15 min | $71.22 | $93.55 |
| Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana) | 145 | 3 h 45 min | $72.90 | $95.75 |
| Galle (with Unawatuna) | 153 | 2 h 15 min | $76.26 | $100.15 |
| Nuwara Eliya | 154 | 5 h | $76.68 | $100.70 |
| Mirissa (with Weligama) | 178 | 2 h 45 min | $86.76 | $113.90 |
| Ella | 207 | 6 h | $98.94 | $129.85 |
| Trincomalee (Nilaveli and Uppuveli) | 233 | 6 h | $109.86 | $144.15 |
| Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama) | 278 | 4 h 15 min | $128.76 | $168.90 |
| Arugam Bay | 335 | 8 h | $152.70 | $200.25 |
| Jaffna | 374 | 8 h 15 min | $169.08 | $221.70 |
Planning time means a private vehicle in daylight with one short comfort stop. It is slower than a map app. Add 20 to 40 minutes to leave or enter Colombo at rush hour, and 10 to 20 per cent in heavy rain or after dark in the hills. Rates last checked 7 November 2026.
Some of these are long days
Rates by vehicle
Use these to work out any route. The price is the fixed amount plus the rate times the kilometres.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Fixed amount | Per km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 2 comfortably, 3 at most | $12 | $0.42 |
| Van | 5 comfortably, 6 at most | $16 | $0.55 |
| Large van | 8 comfortably, 9 at most | $18 | $0.63 |
| Mini coach | 12 comfortably, 14 at most | $25 | $0.90 |
Groups of more than 12 are priced on request.
What is included
Included
- A private vehicle for your party
- An English-speaking driver
- Fuel and tolls
- A meet-and-greet
Not included
- Sightseeing stops and entrance tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Tips, at your discretion
Staying longer?
A round tour or your own plan includes the drive from the airport, so you do not need a separate transfer.