Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake

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comments 5

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  SS P

  :: 14 March 2018 09:24:09

  The airport isn't well-maintained and indeed has a long way to go. However, given the fact the Sri Lanka is a country that has an even longer journey to become anywhere close to being a developed nation, the airport surely is a step ahead. At the departure, queues can be long and so are the ones at immigration. Service here is slow, be it check-in, baggage screening, security check or immigration. Make sure you arrive 3 hrs ahead. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a swarm of hawkers as you make your way to collect your luggage. Passages leading you down to the luggage belts and exits are lined with shops selling liquor and you'll be swarmed with hawkers trying to sell you bottles of booze. Like someone rightly said, they're like crows on a piece of cheese. As with several other airports, there's no checking as to whether the check-in baggage you collected from the belt belongs to you. Those barcodes stuck on your boarding passes are never used. Anyone can collect your luggage and walk out of the airport. It's best to reach the spot before the belt starts running. Given the hawkers, it's a difficult task. Be sure to get a SIM from the airport itself. They are available at the exit. I wasn't offered any free SIM as said in some reviews. Out there is a country far from progress and getting a SIM can be a nightmare! If your tour guide offers to take you to a Gems museum in Colombo or a Herbal spice garden, decline the offer. Stand your ground even if he presses you to pay a visit. These aren't museums or gardens but shops, and are traps where the guide gets a large chunk of the money you shell out. Not only do they sell merchandise at inflated prices, places like herbal and spice gardens sell fake medicines. The "snake oil" salesmen here make tall claims, all of which are outright lies. You'd probably never see them again and therefore they don't miss a chance to fleece you of your money. All herbal medicine sold here are fake and so is the money back guarantee.

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  Vinod Kumar

  :: 10 March 2018 01:59:37

  Immigration was easy. Emigration was bad. Three security checks, you will be asked to remove shoes and belts. After the security check not a single kiosk. Just a water fountain. In the waitling area, air conditioning was not functional. Wireless was another funny operation which was not working after several attempts, not only for me but others as well.

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  Zia

  :: 22 February 2018 07:03:05

  Come at least 3 hours early especially if you have bags or kids. They need to be better with information, no one knows where to go and it’s crowded. Check in is long with passengers on your ass and trying to cut in line, so hold your position. Once you get out of immigration and final security ask where you are supposed to go. The area in front of the gates is a mess. At the gate pay close attention to what’s being announced because it will be done by a lady with the softest voice, no overhead speakers. Sri Lanka is such an amazing place with amazing people, but the overall airport process is horrible, not by appearance but lack of information and process flow. Colombo needs a brand new airport with a lot of staff training.

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  Saminda Wijeratne

  :: 15 January 2018 22:04:55

  More or less the only airport in proper operation in Sri Lanka. I hate to say sound bitter about my own countries establishments, but this place has poor maintenance and and slow upgrades required for a 21st century air port. Its a very small airport for an international travel. The staff looks genuinely friendly. The departure duty free primarily consists of Tea, Liquor and souvenirs. The arrival duty free shop owners and staff are like crows on to piece of cheese when they see you. If you need transport, use the vehicle rental stall located before you exit the airport. It is right next to the bank stalls where you'd do currency exchange. When you exit the airport there will be porters around to help you with the luggage. They are mostly honorable, but keep an eye out for your luggage when they load it to your taxi. However tipping them generously is not a bad thing since these people are trying to live by scraps they earn elsewhere. Enjoy your visit to Sri Lanka!!!

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  Sanjeev Seetharaman

  :: 22 December 2017 20:30:04

  Decent medium sized airport. The whole place is nice, well-lit with natural lights and green. You feel positive vibes by walking around the place. Ground staff is friendly and helpful. Couple of negatives: 1. To get wifi, you need to speak to a check-in agent which makes it weird for transit passengers. 2. Security check is right at the boarding gate. This makes it difficult for you to fill water bottles before boarding the flight. Once you get past the security check to the boarding area, it is a hassle if you wish to use a washroom or simply walk around, since you'll have to exit and re-enter security again.