Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) Arrival Guide for Bike Travellers
14 October 2026 · Airport & arrival
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) sits in Katunayake - not in central Colombo. That geography is perfect for bike travellers: you can finish immigration, sort driving paperwork, and collect a scooter without crossing the whole metro first.
Before you land
- Have ETA/visa confirmation offline on your phone.
- Screenshot hotel or first-night address.
- Note the DMT counter location description from airport.lk.
- Message your bike rental contact with landing time.
Step-by-step arrival flow
1. Immigration and baggage
Follow arrival signage, complete immigration, collect bags, and pass customs. Keep passport control stamps and arrival cards (if used) with your travel folder.
2. SIM / cash (optional but useful)
Airport SIM and ATM options help with maps, ride coordination and fuel. Keep a small float of rupees for tips and water.
3. DMT temporary licence counter
Official airport guidance places the Department of Motor Traffic counter in the Arrival Walkway near SPAR. Bring full foreign licence, translation if needed, passport and visa. Confirm motorcycle entitlement on your home licence if you plan to ride.
4. Exit and transfer to Katunayake pickup
CeylonGoBikes is positioned for airport-area collection. Agree the meeting point in advance so you are not negotiating with touts while jet-lagged.
Jet-lag decision: ride today or tomorrow?
If you land after dark, consider sleeping nearby and riding at sunrise. Tropical night riding with unfamiliar left-side traffic is the highest-risk window for new arrivals from the USA, Europe or Australia.
What not to do at CMB
- Do not hand your passport to unverified strangers “to arrange a licence”.
- Do not skip reading your rental agreement damage clauses.
- Do not assume Google Maps shortcuts are always scooter-legal or safe in rain.
Official links
Meeting points and tout resistance
Agree a clear landmark with CeylonGoBikes (or your operator) before you clear arrivals. Friendly strangers offering “licence + bike + hotel” bundles can derail both paperwork and pricing. Official counters and pre-booked partners beat improvisation.