Asia - Help planning 2.5 day stopover in CMB

Hello, I get in on the 230am UL flight from LHR. I will be leaving on a evening flight 2 days later. Need to figure out the best way to spend the time in Sri Lanka.

I am considering either Sigriya, Kandy, or Nuwara Eliya, or some combination of the 3. Any suggestions on a possible itin would be very appreciated.


A few specific questions:

1. Is there a luggage room at CMB that allows overnight/multi-day baggage storage?
2. How long does it take to exit customs (I have US passport) at CMB?
3. Is it possible to hire a car/driver right at the airport at that time of night to drive out to Sigiriya or Kandy?
4. If catching a morning train to Kandy from the Fort Station, is it better to get a hotel by the airport or another part of Colombo?
5. Is there a way to make train reservations ahead of time? The SriLanka Railways webpage provided no information on how to obtain tickets ahead of time. Can a first/second class ticket be bought on the spot (in other words, will there be any tickets left when trying to do same day purchase).

Thanks for your help.

2. How long does it take to exit customs (I have US passport) at CMB?
3. Is it possible to hire a car/driver right at the airport at that time of night to drive out to Sigiriya or Kandy?

Looks like you haven't had much luck?? Anyway I can answer two of your questions.

It takes max 5 minutes to exit customs, there are more then enough counters always open. But at 2am you might have less people working. Last time I landed at 5am it took me 3-4 mins.

I would suggest that you negotiate with the small travel agents on the way out from the airport (just before the taxi stand) There are a few of them and normally I get my taxi pre-paid through them only. reliable and competitive.

Also if you need a hotel to stay a night near to the airport let me know. I normally stay at a very nice boutique hotel only 15 mins drive and on the beach.

I am considering either Sigriya, Kandy, or Nuwara Eliya, or some combination of the 3. Any suggestions on a possible itin would be very appreciated.
3. Is it possible to hire a car/driver right at the airport at that time of night to drive out to Sigiriya or Kandy?
4. If catching a morning train to Kandy from the Fort Station, is it better to get a hotel by the airport or another part of Colombo?
5. Is there a way to make train reservations ahead of time? The SriLanka Railways webpage provided no information on how to obtain tickets ahead of time. Can a first/second class ticket be bought on the spot (in other words, will there be any tickets left when trying to do same day purchase).


3. I would think so. I managed to negotiate a trip to Yakkala - on the Kandy road - even got dropped off at the correct restaurant....
4. I would think Fort Station would be better from Colombo. But see the answer to #3.
5. My friend normally handles the railway ticketing. 1st is reserved seating so probably should be done in advance. 2nd should not be a problem getting a ticket.

Even using the tourist rates for taxis (about 4x the local rate) Kandy (and return) should be within acceptable budget range by car.

Enjoy your wandering

Fred

I may be in colombo for 5-6 days where should I stay and what to do there?? any advice appreciated.

Depends entirely on how you want to spend throse five days? Beach? History? See the country?

And the other variable is of course your necessary comfort level. The highlands (eg search for World's End - it's in a national park) are quite different from the coast but finding "luxury" accommodation would be "challenging"

And will you need a "jet lag" day....

We were very happy with the Glendower Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

srilanka.com is a reasonable site with which to preview the hotel options.

Happy wandering

Fred

Deleted.

I have done a few flights via CMB and know of a really nice boutique hotel on the beach and just 10 mins drive from the airport. Good food and a perfect place to spend the day before your next flight.

No road blocks to go through and I always feel safer here then in the city.

Also it's cheaper then the 5* hotels in the city and comparable. PM for details.

I posted some information about a few hotels in Sri Lanka in this thread in the Luxury Hotels forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=696105

For short stays, you may want to stick to Negombo (small beach area near the airport, "The Beach" hotel is probably the best option here) and/or Colombo. After a long flight, you'll want to keep the Sri Lanka road (and train) travel to a minimum, especially if you are doing a fairly quick turn! The thread above has a link to my travel blog postings about a few nights out in Colombo, there are a few good spots and combined with a nice pool for some lounging, Colombo can keep you entertained. Overall, my recommendation in Colombo would be the Park Street Hotel or for more budget minded the Cinnamon Grand. The beaches to the south are a punishing drive of 2+ hours (not bad if you are on a longer stay) but you will be rewarded with nice properties, good rates and empty beaches.

Compliments of the season,

I will be in Sri Lanka for four days/four nights in January '2008, and I have questions to ask the enlightened FT populace:

1)I'm looking to stay in a hotel for around US$40-45 in Colombo, preferably near the downtown. Although apparently much of it is blocked off, I still like to wander and look for street food, so I figure this district would be my best bet. I tried the Grand Oriental, but their website reservation inquiry form doesn't work.

2)Though it may not seem like much time, I have very full days when I travel and execute my aimless wanderings. With regards to Polonnaruwa and Sigirya, is flying an option? I am a single traveller, and I have read that there is a series of tourist flights available, but only in groups of more than one perhaps? They sound more interesting to me than Kandy, but if that is the easiest option, then I reckon I'd just cave in and do that. However, I do have a Sri Lankan Airlines ticket booked with the destination as Colombo, so I might've read that there are ways to get a domestic ticket in conjunction with that...though beyond that I've found nothing. I have absolutely no interest in beaches or nightlife, so basically I'm motivated by the culinary-history-culture aspects.

Thanks for your help.

Tad Bistec Asado

Compliments of the season,

I will be in Sri Lanka for four days/four nights in January '2008, and I have questions to ask the enlightened FT populace:

1)I'm looking to stay in a hotel for around US$40-45 in Colombo, preferably near the downtown. Although apparently much of it is blocked off, I still like to wander and look for street food, so I figure this district would be my best bet. I tried the Grand Oriental, but their website reservation inquiry form doesn't work.

2)Though it may not seem like much time, I have very full days when I travel and execute my aimless wanderings. With regards to Polonnaruwa and Sigirya, is flying an option? I am a single traveller, and I have read that there is a series of tourist flights available, but only in groups of more than one perhaps? They sound more interesting to me than Kandy, but if that is the easiest option, then I reckon I'd just cave in and do that. However, I do have a Sri Lankan Airlines ticket booked with the destination as Colombo, so I might've read that there are ways to get a domestic ticket in conjunction with that...though beyond that I've found nothing. I have absolutely no interest in beaches or nightlife, so basically I'm motivated by the culinary-history-culture aspects.


For airfare (airtaxi) information
http://www.airfares.com.sg/airfares/ul/7_at_ul_colombo.htm
I suspect AirLanka will be happy to book if you are willing to pay :rolleyes:

For hotels I have found that www.srilanka.com is a fairly high information site.

I haven't looked at too many hotels in Colombo but the Tropic Inn up near Mt Lavinia had cleanish rooms with a/c. And is priced reasonably. Discounted rates on most of the larger hotels still run under US$100 / night.

Happy wandering

Fred