How to make the most out of your layover in Colombo

One of South Asia's most intriguing cities, Colombo provides a fascinating, cultural landscape along with gorgeous beach towns and beautiful wetlands. While it’s absolutely worth booking a trip to Colombo, you can put together a solid itinerary for a longer layover in Sri Lanka's largest city. 

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) (more commonly known as Colombo International Airport) is the primary hub for the country’s SriLankan Airlines along with low-cost carriers like Fitsair and Cinnamon Air. As far as layovers go, you can do worse than Colombo. To maximize your time here, Bounce offers a convenient Colombo luggage storage solution when you have extra bags with you.

Things to keep in mind before leaving the Airport

Visa requirements in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka requires an eTA transit visa (which is electronic) for all international travelers. This allows you to stay in the country for up to two days and is required for all transit passengers who want to leave the airport. You will also need a passport with six months of validity and a confirmed onward ticket (you'll be issued two separate tickets for your connecting flights). The visa is free, but you'll need to apply for it at least a week before you travel to leave time for it to process. A travel agent might be able to arrange this.

Minimum layover times in Colombo

The city center is within a half hour from the airport, with peak traffic making the trip closer to an hour. Because of this, you’ll need your next flight to be at least six hours after you arrive in Colombo. You can hail a licensed cab or use the free shuttles that SriLankan Airlines offers to get into the city. 

What to do in Colombo during a layover

Depending on how long you have before your connecting flight, you can either head to one of the beaches near the airport or to the city center itself. Even with traffic, you'll be in the top travel areas within about 45 minutes. And if you need a place to stash the bags while you poke around, Bounce has convenient locations near the best museums and cultural districts. 

Morning layover in Colombo

As the city starts to stir, you’ll want to grab a quick bite and get some sightseeing done before the crowds flock to popular landmarks and attractions. And by the time the weather starts to heat up, you’ll be on your way back to the air-conditioned airport.

• Gangaramaya Temple, situated in the city center, is a Buddhist temple offering a tranquil oasis amidst the buzz of the city and provides a lovely backdrop for a quiet morning exploring the leafy temple grounds. 
• If you want some action, head to Pettah Market next to the main station to shop for souvenirs and street food. It gets quite busy in the afternoon, making mid-morning the best time to visit.   
• For a cup of tea and some Sri Lankan sweets, head to T-Lounge by Dilmah at the Old Dutch Hospital. The spiciness of the tea will pair nicely with a pastry or sandwich.

Afternoon layover in Colombo

Colombo has miles upon miles of waterfront, making it a great place to explore on foot or through travel tours. There are also plenty of beaches you can head to.

• If you only have a few hours, you can opt for a quick trip to Negombo Beach instead of heading all the way into the city. The drive is less than 25 minutes from the airport and you’ll be cooling off in the ocean in no time. Arranging for luggage storage is necessary! 
• The absolute authority on Sri Lankan history, Colombo’s National Museum is filled with wonderful artifacts from prehistory through the modern era. It’s housed in an especially beautiful neo-Baroque building dating back to the 19th century. 
• For an afternoon snack, stop by the charming open-fronted Bombay Sweet Mahal on Galle Road for some beguiling Sri Lankan sweet treats. 
• The temperatures will likely be scorching, so popping over to Beach Wadiya for some refreshing seafood is a great option for lunch. The prawns and crabs are especially excellent. You’ll want to plan ahead by grabbing a reservation. 

Evening layover in Colombo

Colombo is at its most beautiful during sunset, so you’ll want to head somewhere near the waterfront or outside if your arrival is in the late afternoon or early evening. 

• Taking in the sunset at Galle Face Green is a beautiful way to end the day and introduce yourself to Sri Lanka's natural beauty. This promenade provides a lovely stretch for a sunset stroll and you can pop by a food vendor for a snack or cheap meal. 
• Situated on Galle Face Green, Nana's is a top spot for cheap bites. Grilled meat skewers spiced to your specification (don’t get cocky) and rice dishes provide an authentic snapshot of what a local will be doing that night. The casual outdoor dining area will be bathed in the light of the setting sun. It doesn’t get better than this. 
• For dinner with a view, Cloud Cafe’s rooftop bar at the Colombo Courtyard hotel is a swanky hotspot for twentysomethings to mingle or date night. 
• Ministry of Crab is a popular spot for staples like Singaporean chili crab, but the prices are steep as this is best for special occasions. 

 Overnight layover in Colombo

Staying overnight might be inconvenient for reaching your final destination, but you’ll be getting a quick trip to Colombo out of it! 

• Staying at a hotel near the airport isn’t a bad idea as you’ll still be able to head into the city center. The Serenediva Colombo Transit Hotel, Jetwing Lagoon, and Amagi Aria are all excellent choices that can arrange transportation to the airport and city. 
• Hit the casino! While Sri Lankan culture is absolutely worth exploring while you're in Colombo, you can also visit one of the incredible casinos that have been set up in the city. The Bellagio and Bally's Casino provide swanky settings for hitting the slots or blackjack tables.
• If you want to treat yourself to amazing views and even better cocktails, Sky Lounge is by far the trendiest spot in town. 
• While the name may sound simple, Bu Ba provides the perfect setting for a romantic evening with candlelit tables and the beach as the backdrop. Incredible seafood and an impressive wine menu complete the experience. 

Tips to make the most out of your time in Colombo

• There are two languages spoken in Sri Lanka: Sinhala is the most common, and Tamil is common but only accounts for about 15% of the local population. English is widely spoken in Colombo, even in smaller businesses. 
• Sri Lanka’s weekend is Saturday and Sunday, so that's when you can expect to find larger crowds and museums in the tractions. 
• The Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency, and you'll want to take out cash at the airport currency exchange or ATM so you can buy street food or shop through local stores. Unlicensed money changers are everywhere in Colombo, but they're not to be trusted. All hotels and most businesses will take credit cards. 
• While there are many poor neighborhoods in Colombo, crime is exceedingly rare outside of a few pickpockets. It's still best to leave valuables at a hotel or trusted storage company. Fortunately, Bounce vets each storage facility to ensure they meet strict security guidelines and all items are covered by our bag protection.

The layover doesn't have to be a headache, especially when it's in Colombo. With a little bit of planning you can store your bags with Bounce so you can explore this amazing city without having to worry about dragging your roller bag around. And with locations around the world, you'll also be able to rely on Bounce at your final destination!