Stuck on a layover at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Sri Lanka? This airport is Sri Lanka’s only international airport and is the hub of SriLankan Airlines. The Bandaranaike airport is located roughly 22 miles from Colombo which makes the city an accessible destination for those stuck on a long layover. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the airport during your layover, you can find plenty to do. The airport offers a variety of shopping and dining options as well as WiFi (click here for more information and steps on how to connect).

There are a number of lounges at the Sri Lanka airport for your layover wait. The Silk Route Lounge caters to first class passengers. There’s also the Lotus Lounge for first class passengers, the Araliya for business class passengers, and the Executive Lounge that you can access for a $10 per person charge for 3 hours.

In addition, the airport offers pet assistance, and the following services: banks and currency exchange in the departure and arrival areas, post office located in the arrival porch and open 24 hours, telephone booths, child care in the transit area, and a medical center in the arrival baggage area. Information desks can be found on the first floor of the transit area and in the arrival and departure areas.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, there are many hotels of varying price points nearby in Colombo. For a search engine that compares hotel prices in the area, click here.

If you’re planning on leaving the airport and traveling into Colombo, Sri Lanka during your layover, there are many transportation options. Taxis are available and you can pre-order an airport taxi from the counter in the arrival lobby. Click here for taxi rates. In addition, buses are available at the airport, as well as a shuttle bus that operates every 15 minutes from the terminal to the main bus station.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions For Things To Do On A Sri Lankan Layover:

Pettah Bazaar
Looking to grab a bite or do some shopping? Pettah is Colombo’s main bazaar filled with all sorts of goods and crafts. Beware of pickpockets! And be sure to bargain!

Gangaramaya Temple
Located in the Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Temple is one of Colombo’s most famous landmarks, and is a picturesque Buddhist complex. There are often events at the temple – visit their website for upcoming happenings. http://www.gangaramaya.com/

Mount Lavinia
South of Colombo is the Mt. Lavinia Beach Resort, located up against the Indian Ocean. The resort is one of the most famous in Sri Lanka, as is the resorts in Negombo. Stop by for an overnight stay or a stroll on the beach.

Dehiwala Zoo
For a good look at Sri Lankan wildlife and birds, stop by the Dehiwala Zoo where you can see big cats, primates and over 500 varieties of marine life.

Have a suggestion for a Colombo, Sri Lankan layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a long layover, and looking for the benefits offered at a premium, first class lounge but you’re only flying coach? With business and Internet facilities, food and refreshments, papers and magazines, and additional services, Premium and First Class Lounges are a great way to spend your time and can make your layover fly by (we couldn’t resist the pun).

Well the good news is that, many times, there are options for the coach traveler that can help you access the benefits of a lounge, without having to sit on a plastic chair at an airport fast food restaurant.

Pay In Lounges
Lounges that offer day rates to passengers regardless of the class of your airplane ticket are becoming more commonplace in airports worldwide. The Plaza Premium lounges (click here for locations), for example, are a chain popping up in airports across Asia where you can rest, relax and even shower in between flights. The idea is catching on in other airports as well, including the reLAX lounge at Los Angeles International Airport.

Priority Pass & Lounge Pass
If you travel too often to pay for individual day rates to lounges, the Priority Pass might be the route for you. With access to over 600 international airport lounges, the Priority Pass charges an annual membership fee for access to lounges that are part of their network. In addition, there is the Lounge Pass for as little as 13.50 British pounds that offers access to 150 VIP lounges worldwide. With a variety of membership plans depending on how often you fly, you can save money rather than paying a per visit day rate.

Credit Cards & Diners Club
Credit cards including the American Express Platinum, the Diners Club, and The Visa Black can also gain you access to select airport lounges. There’s usually an annual fee and stipulations on what you need to do, or spend money on, to make you eligible for access into certain airline lounges.

Airline Day Rates
Many major airlines including American, Continental and United often offer day rates into their airline lounges. Usually in the range of roughly $50 (although this can be negotiated for less if you request a shorter period of time visit), this can be purchased at the gate to the airline lounge upon arrival.

Airline Club Membership
If you loyally and regularly fly on one or two specific airlines, you can look into purchasing an Airline Club Membership for that airline. While they can be pricey, renewal fees are usually lower each year after joining (much like a gym membership).

If you are not able to access a premium lounge, or there aren’t any in your terminal or airport, you can find a number of other options and services at your specific airport, here at LayoverGuide.com.

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Stuck on a layover and looking to connect your computer to the Internet? Travelpost put together a wonderfully easy alphabetical list of national and international airports that offer wireless Internet access, service providers, airport coverage areas, wifi in airline clubs and lounges, and Internet subscription pricing plans available. As an added bonus they listed nearby hotels that also offer Internet access.

To access their national list of 219 airports, click here.

To access their international list of 80 major airports, click here.

And here’s their list to Internet access at VIP lounges and clubs.

Travel + Leisure rated their favorite Airport Lounges and here’s their picks:

Geneva: Swiss Lounges, Geneva Airport
When it came to designing new lounges for Geneva Airport, Swiss Air stuck to what it knows best — being Swiss. More than 10 tons of limestone from the Jura Mountains were used in the construction, the menu consists of national dishes such as älplermakkaroni (Alpine-style macaroni-and-cheese), and the chocolate leather chairs and sofas were produced by Vitra (though designed by Londoner Jasper Morrison). swiss.com.

Los Angeles: Oneworld, LAX
San Francisco-based Gensler Architects (currently at work on JFK’s new JetBlue terminal) have created a 15,000-square-foot eco-lounge that evokes a contemporary California-cool vibe, with sea grass-resin panels, chiseled limestone walls, B&B Italia chairs and walnut-wood partitions. First- and business-class passengers can freshen up in one of nine shower suites. lawa.org/lax.

Munich: Lufthansa, Munich Airport International
Passengers at the new Lufthansa first-class lounge in Munich can expect red-carpet treatment: in-lounge security and separate passport control (no long lines), and a chauffeured Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Porsche Cayenne to take travelers directly to their aircraft. The two-story, 9,000-square-foot lounge also includes a white-marble and oak bathroom with three showers, a Jacuzzi and Dr. Hauschka products. lufthansa.com.

Sydney: Qantas, Sydney Airport
Australia’s premier interior and furniture designer, Marc Newson, has put his futuristic feng shui touch on the carrier’s new first-class lounge. A brilliant wall of 8,400 plants offsets a striking all-white entrance. Once inside, you’ll find a 48-seat Neil Perry restaurant. sydneyairport.com.au.

For the full article, click here.

The annual fee to join an Airline Lounge is often times not worth the price, for most travelers. Unless you’re a frequent flyer, day passes are a great alternative to the hundreds of dollars for an annual pass.

Airport lounges are a great way to pass time on a layover, and most lounges offer free alcoholic drinks, snacks, newspapers and magazines, internet access and computers, televisions, and separate conference rooms. The environment tends to be relaxing and less crowded then public airport areas.

Prices vary but here’s the latest rate chart for day passes:

• Delta Airlines – $50 for Delta’s Crown Room Club
• Northwest Airlines – Day passes are available from $45 for WorldClub, and a 60-day trial membership for $85.
• Continental Airlines – $45 for Continental’s President’s Club (The day pass is valid for using up to one year after purchase)
• American Airlines – $50 for American’s Admiral’s Club
• United Airlines – $50 for the Red Carpet Club, $75 for a one-day pass plus one visitor.
• Alaska Airlines – $30 for a one day Board Room pass. Us Airways – A US Airways Club Day Pass can be purchased for $40.