One website said they charge US$29. This is pretty steep. I arrive at 2am Satuday and expect to kill a few hours at the airport, then catch either public transport to town or a taxi if it's cheap. Do taxis charge extra when travelling at night? I don't want to be ripped off :P
I don't know where I'll stay in Colombo yet. If you have any suggests feel free to let me know.
Thanks.
the airport is about 1 hour drive from Colombo city. You can get a bus for cheap - but in the morning. Taxi's will be about US$25-30 They are not metered and are usually mini-vans, but that is the going price. A couple alternatives are - stay at a hotel near the airport - there is one like 500meters away (Hotel Goodwood Plaza) but it is pretty much a dump. There are airport retiring rooms which are nice and around $30/-
you can also go to negombo (about 15 - 20 minustes north of airport) there are many places to stay there for all busgets. many places will offer airport pick up. if not a taxi would be about Rs.1,000 or a tuk tuk for about Rs.600.
Many people head for Negombo as it is so close and you can get a taxi there very easily at any time from the airport (fixed price.) You also have plenty of places to stay whereas budget accommodation is not easy to find in Colombo. You can get a train or bus from Negombo to Colombo when you need to, or you can arrange a driver from Negombo to take you pretty much anywhere.
Alternatively if you wanted you could get a taxi at the airport direct to where you are heading bvut it is not cheap and you will be tired anyway.
Thanks. I spoke to the information desk at the airport and they told me what to do: get the free shuttle bus for about 20 minutes to some place. From there catch the 187 bus (70 rupees), or if not runnin ghten the private mini bus for 100 rupees (140 rupees if your bags take up another seat). I got dropped off at fort. All together my ride cost me about US$1!