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HRI Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) serves Nuwara Eliya, about 85 km southeast of Nuwara Eliya. Below: trains and buses from the terminal, an estimated taxi fare to town and nearby cities, where you can fly from here, and hotels nearby.

IATAHRI
ICAOVCRI
ServesNuwara Eliya
From centre85 km
Non-stop4
Airlines3
TimezoneAsia/Colombo
Elevation48 m

See on map ↗

The airport in numbers

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport — facts & history

We pulled Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport's numbers from the open aviation datasets — 5,251 passengers in 2021, against a peak of 20,474 in 2014.

Passengers / year
5,251
as of 2021
Peak traffic
20,474
in 2014
Elevation
48 מ׳
above sea level
Passengers per year, 2014–2021

Figures: Wikidata (CC0)

Airport to city

Getting from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to Nuwara Eliya

The airport is about 85 km southeast of Nuwara Eliya, about 89 minutes by road in normal traffic.

Train & bus: No rail to the airport (CMB) — it's near Negombo, about 35 km from Colombo. An express bus to Colombo, or a taxi.

Taxi & apps: PickMe and Uber (legal, cheap) are the easy way. A rank taxi with a price agreed first. Estimated fare to the centre: Rs6680–Rs10610.

Tipping: Round up; ~10%.

Way inTime to centreCost
Train / bus~62 mincheapestCHEAPEST
Taxi~89 minRs6680–Rs10610
Private transfer~89 minfixed upfront
Car rental~89 min + חניהfrom the terminal
Distances

From HRI to nearby cities

Estimated drive times in normal traffic, and an approximate taxi fare at the local tariff. A pre-booked transfer is usually cheaper.

DestinationDistanceDriveTaxi (est.)
Galle104 km110 minRs8126–Rs12906
Kandy124 km131 minRs9656–Rs15336
Colombo158 km166 minRs12257–Rs19467
Choose and book

Which way suits you from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Taxi

Cheapest for a short trip, one or two people. ~Rs6680–Rs10610 to the centre.

Private transfer

Fixed price upfront, driver with a sign. For a late arrival, bags, kids or a group.

Car rental

If you're touring the region. Desks in the terminal, booking ahead beats the counter.

Train or bus is usually the cheapest — details above.

Book your airport transfer in Mattala ahead, no terminal surprises.

Route network

Where you can fly from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Non-stop flights to about 4 destinations, operated by 3 airlines. The busiest routes:

Airlines here: SriLankan Airlines · Etihad Airways

At the airport

Left luggage & lost and found at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Most large airports offer left-luggage inside the terminal, usually by the hour or day and with a size limit. A common, cheaper alternative: in-city storage points near stations and sights — handy for an early arrival before check-in, or after check-out.

Something lost in the terminal is handled by the airport's lost-and-found office (usually near baggage claim); something left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Keep your flight details, seat number and a description of the item.

Sleep nearby

Hotels near Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

For an early connection — a hotel by the terminal saves a taxi and a headache.

Rates in Mattala shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Reviews — Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

No reviews yet — be the first to share.

Airports nearby

Other options near Nuwara Eliya

Same country

Other airports in Sri Lanka

Q&A

Answers to your questions

How do I get from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to the centre of Nuwara Eliya?
No rail to the airport (CMB) — it's near Negombo, about 35 km from Colombo. An express bus to Colombo, or a taxi. The airport is about 85 km southeast of Nuwara Eliya, about 89 minutes by road.
How much is a taxi from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to Nuwara Eliya?
Roughly Rs6680–Rs10610 (at the local tariff). Many airports have a regulated flat fare — ask at the taxi desk.
Can I use a ride app from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport?
PickMe and Uber (legal, cheap) are the easy way. A rank taxi with a price agreed first.
What's the cheapest way from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to Nuwara Eliya?
Train or bus, almost always — usually a fraction of the taxi fare. No rail to the airport (CMB) — it's near Negombo, about 35 km from Colombo. An express bus to Colombo, or a taxi.
Can I get from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport into town without a car?
Yes. No rail to the airport (CMB) — it's near Negombo, about 35 km from Colombo. An express bus to Colombo, or a taxi. For a late arrival or a lot of bags, a pre-booked transfer is easier.
Where can I fly non-stop from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport?
About 4 destinations, including Colombo, Jeddah, Beijing, Shanghai. 3 airlines operate here.
Can I leave luggage at the airport?
Most large airports have a left-luggage service, and there are also in-city storage points near stations and sights that are usually cheaper with no size limit.
Where is Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport's lost and found?
Items found in the terminal (not on the aircraft) are handled by the airport's lost-and-found office — usually near baggage claim or the information desks, sometimes one office per terminal. Anything left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Current contact details are on Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport's official site.
How do I know which terminal my flight leaves from at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport?
The terminal is on your boarding pass and booking confirmation, and updates on the departure boards at the entrance. Rule of thumb: each airline works from a fixed terminal, and airlines in the same alliance are usually grouped together. With a connection, check whether you change terminals and how long that takes.
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About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Airport data: OpenFlights (ODbL) · Route network: OpenFlights routes · Getting-there notes: Around the World, checked 2026

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