Colombo airport

Could anyone tell me what the duty free shopping is like at Colombo airport? We will be wanting to buy perfume and aftershave and don%26#39;t know whether to buy it from Gatwick on the way out or wait and buy in Colombo on our return.

Also, could anyone give any advice with regard to coach or taxi transfer from and to the airport. We have the option of either but don%26#39;t know if any one has more benefits than the other!

Thank you.

Colombo airport

Hi there....

Duty Free shopping is very good at the airport, with prices very competetive too, you should be aware though that you cannot use Sri Lankan currency in the actual duty free store, but can at selected smaller shops.

Transfer?, well depends on your own personal choice, but if it was me, well then a private one is more comfy, and no stopping at other hotels along the way of course, and no rush to beat the others to the checkout either !

Regards

Dave

Colombo airport

Hi, Dave,

Thanks for the quick response !

Would we be able to use sterling in the duty free shop then ? Travellers cheques or currency ? Are the prices in sterling or will we have to convert?

With regard to transport from and to the airport, will a private taxi be any quicker do you think ? I%26#39;ve read about the road conditions and suspect not !!

Oh, and I%26#39;ve also read somewhere on the forum that on Poya day no alcohol is served the day before as well so 2 days without a drink !! Is that correct ?

Thanks once again.

Hi again

Sterling can be used, BUT, you may get any change in US Dollars, would be better using plastic there.

All prices are in US Dollars in the duty free shop !

Normal Poya days are indeed no alcohol in public places for that ONE day in Sri Lanka, but hotels will serve in your rooms, but if you are on All Inclusive, then this may not be included, you should check before ordering !

If chargeable, then maybe pop out to a liquor store day before and get ';some in';, would be much cheaper, but shhh i didn%26#39;t tell you ok !

Vesak Poya in May will be different, no alcohol for maybe two or three days, hotels do differ here though, and may well be only the one day ????

Regards

Dave

Ooooops

Forogt about the transport question, yes private transfers would normally be quicker than a coach, not so much for the actual drive, but coaches sometimes are delayed because of waiting at hotels for stragglers !!

Private transfers was my personal choice when travelling with package companies.

Regards

Dave

Hi,

Duty free shops don%26#39;t take travellers cheques, sterling cash is accepted as well as dollars , euros etc. The prices are in US dollars and the cashier will do the conversion. Debit/credit cards are also accepted.

To Wadduwa a private taxi will be quicker than a coach. Tour operators usually drop off guests at 3-4 hotels with the same coach. The road conditions from the Airport to Wadduwa are quite good. What wastes the time is traffic congestion, esp. when passing through Colombo City.

It%26#39;s only on Poya Day that alcohol is banned. Except for Vesak Poya (in May) when it%26#39;s Poya Day and the day after. The hotel might serve you in your room or you can stock up from the local off license the day before.

Enjoy your holidays.

Hans

Hi,

In Negombo last year, alcohol was , officially not sold for the duration of Vesak, A week ?.

But, we were able, every evening to find a restaurant that would serve us a beer with dinner although at some, we were asked to place the bottles on the floor out of sight. That even included the vesak poya day.

Not all restaurants did and at some it was probably because we had known the staff and owners for a few years but the ban did seem more lax than in th past.

Rod.

Hi,

The Excise Department are still doing a lot of raids on Poya Days.

Violators are fines heavily (for Sri Lankan conditions) and face loosing their liquor license (if they have one).

Hans