Exact meeting plan
Confirm the airport, terminal, flight number, arrival date and a working contact method before travel.
Private airport pickup
Start or finish your Sri Lanka trip with a clear airport transfer.
Share the airport, flight, arrival time, passenger count and exact hotel. John will confirm whether the transfer is available and explain the meeting and onward-driving plan.
Right-sized vehicle
Passenger count alone is not enough—share suitcase sizes, pushchairs, mobility equipment and child-seat needs.
Continue beyond arrival
Use a standalone transfer or connect the airport pickup to a multi-day private-driver route.
Local planning advice
Information needed for a reliable pickup.
Bandaranaike International Airport serves most international arrivals, but the words “Colombo Airport” are not enough for a booking. Send the flight number, scheduled local arrival date and time, lead traveller name, passenger total and destination hotel. Overnight flights can create date confusion, so use the date shown for landing in Sri Lanka.
Provide a WhatsApp number that will work after arrival. If the flight changes, share the updated information as soon as possible. The final confirmation should explain the meeting method and whom to contact if immigration or baggage takes longer than expected.
- Flight number and local arrival date and time
- Lead passenger name and reachable WhatsApp number
- Adults, children, suitcases and special equipment
- Exact hotel name, address and booking name
- Any child seat, mobility or comfort request
Local planning advice
Plan the first driving day carefully.
A long-haul arrival is not the best moment for an ambitious sightseeing programme. Immigration, baggage and traffic are variable, and travellers may be tired. If the first hotel is in Kandy, Sigiriya or farther away, treat the day primarily as an arrival and transfer day.
When a flight lands late, a nearby first night may be more comfortable than crossing the island immediately. John can discuss the practical trade-off, but the decision remains yours and should account for hotel check-in and the following day’s plans.
Local planning advice
Common airport routes.
Private pickups can connect the airport with Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, the Cultural Triangle and south-coast destinations, subject to availability and a route-specific quote. Driving time changes with traffic, weather and the exact property rather than only the town name.
For departure transfers, work backwards from the airline’s required check-in time and allow a sensible road buffer. A beach hotel advertised under a well-known town may be considerably farther along the coast than expected, so share the exact property.
Local planning advice
Combine the transfer with a private tour.
If you already know the wider itinerary, request one joined plan rather than separate airport and multi-day enquiries. This makes the vehicle, luggage capacity, first hotel and final airport return part of the same discussion.
A standalone transfer is also possible when available. In either case, the written confirmation should identify the route, vehicle, price and inclusions so there is no uncertainty after landing.
See the journey
Sri Lanka is best planned around real places and realistic roads.
Frequently asked questions
Useful details before you confirm.
Which airport information should I send?
Send the airport, flight number, scheduled local arrival date and time, lead passenger name, working WhatsApp number, traveller count, luggage and destination hotel.
Can you transfer us directly to Kandy or Sigiriya?
These routes can be arranged subject to availability. The quote and expected plan depend on landing time, exact hotel and passenger and luggage requirements.
What happens if our flight is delayed?
Share the change when possible and keep the agreed contact method available. The final booking discussion should explain how flight delays and waiting time are handled.
Can we request a child seat?
Mention the child’s age and requirement before confirmation. Do not assume a specific restraint is available unless it is explicitly confirmed.
How early should we leave for the airport?
Departure time depends on the exact hotel, road conditions and airline check-in requirement. John will suggest a practical pickup time, but travellers remain responsible for meeting airline requirements.
Continue planning
Connect this page to the rest of your trip.
Car with driver
Continue from the airport into a multi-day private route.
ExplorePrivate tours
Connect arrival, itinerary and departure in one tailored plan.
ExploreColombo guide
Decide whether Colombo belongs at the start or end of the trip.
ExploreKandy guide
Plan the airport-to-Kandy journey and time in the hill capital.
ExploreSend flight details
Provide the information needed for a transfer quotation.
ExplorePlan directly with John
Turn the useful parts into your own Sri Lanka route.
Send your dates, traveller count, arrival details and preferred places. You will receive a trip-specific discussion rather than a generic package.