Can I buy an eSIM or physical SIM at Colombo airport at 2 AM?
3 Answers from travellers
Yes, the telecom counters at the arrival hall of Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) are open 24/7. They never close because flights arrive all through the night.
As soon as you clear customs and enter the arrivals hall, you will see stalls for Dialog, Mobitel, and Airtel. Dialog generally has the best island wide 4G coverage, especially in remote areas like the hill country or national parks.
You can buy a physical tourist SIM card there. They will need your passport to register it, and they will set it up in your phone for you in about 2 minutes. The tourist packages usually cost around 10 to 15 USD and give you plenty of data (30GB to 50GB) and some local call minutes.
If your phone supports eSIM, you can also purchase an eSIM online before you even board your flight via providers like Airalo or Holafly. This means you will have data the second your plane touches down on the tarmac. However, the local physical SIM bought at the airport is usually much cheaper per gigabyte than the international eSIM apps.
I highly recommend taking the extra 5 minutes to get the Dialog SIM at the airport counter. The staff are incredibly fast. Having a local number is very useful because you can use it to register for the local ride hailing app PickMe, and local guesthouse owners often prefer a quick WhatsApp message or local call if you need directions.
Just make sure your phone is unlocked by your home carrier before you arrive. Many tourists hand over their locked phones at the counter and realize the Sri Lankan SIM will not work. Check with your network provider back home before flying.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
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