Sri Lanka 2026
DAY 10
Homeward, Unhurried
One last Colombo morning, without risking the flight.
Optional gift shopping — then rest, leave the city at 16:00.
Today's Rhythm
Morning optional: gift shopping, then rest. Lotus Tower is on Day 9 (dusk) if energy allowed — not remade today. Airport leave 16:00 is the only hard deadline.
🍳
08:00
Breakfast
🛍️
10:00
Optional · gifts
🔑
12:00
Checkout / bags held
🍜
14:15
Lunch · Granbell
🚗
16:00
Leave for CMB
🛫
22:00
6E1186 departs
✈ Flight Details
6E
CMB✈BOM
Leave times & airport plan — Door-to-Door
🏨 Hotel · Departure Day
Staying at Granbell Hotel Colombo · checkout day
⏱ Door-to-Door · Sat 8 Aug → Sun 9 Aug
| Activity | Time | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Checkout / bags ready | 12:00 | Standard checkout; late checkout requested ~17:00 is not guaranteed — hold bags with reception if still out |
| Leave Granbell | 16:00 | PickMe (default) · request by ~15:45 · ~35–60 mins via E03 · fare in Money · pin Bandaranaike International / CMB Katunayake — not Ratmalana · if PickMe cancels / no car, ask Granbell reception to book a hotel taxi · if two large bags, ask for a larger vehicle |
| Reach CMB Terminal 1 | 17:00 | Target ~17:00–17:30 · ~5 hrs before the 22:00 flight · same time zone as India (IST) · confirm you are at the international terminal |
| Check-in → immigration → security | ~19:00 | Bag drop usually opens ~3 hrs before departure · IndiGo PNR U5SMTY · seats 6A/6B · then immigration · snack / lounge if you like |
| At gate | 21:15 | Stop shopping by 21:00 · confirm gate on screens |
| Flight 6E1186 departs | 22:00 | CMB → BOM T2 · ~2h 50m |
| Land BOM T2 | 00:50 | Sun 9 Aug · immigration + bags ~45–75 min |
| Leave BOM | 02:00 | Pre-booked car / taxi / Uber to Thane |
| Reach home (Thane) | 03:15 | ~1–1.25 hr · end of trip |
Why leave at 16:00: a little extra buffer for Colombo traffic, weather, or a PickMe cancellation — so Granbell still has time to arrange a hotel taxi if needed. IndiGo usually opens bag drop about three hours before departure (~19:00 for the 22:00 flight); arriving earlier means that window stays calm.
Airport ride: Request PickMe ~15:45 · leave Granbell around 16:00 · aim for CMB ~17:00–17:30. No need to pre-book the night before. If PickMe cancels or no car shows, ask Granbell reception for a hotel taxi; two large bags may need a larger vehicle. Private pre-book only if you prefer zero app risk (not part of Less Taxi).
At CMB · unhurried: After bag drop and immigration, there is time for a snack airside. If your card has lounge access, open the lounge app for CMB and use it to relax and eat once luggage is checked. Gate by 21:15.
Optional · Tourist VAT refund (TVRS): Sri Lanka does offer a VAT refund on eligible shop purchases (not Dubai-style everywhere). Only if you already bought from an authorised retailer showing the TVRS logo, have the special Tourist VAT Refund Invoice, and meet the spend threshold (typically ~LKR 50,000 excl. VAT from the same shop). Keep goods accessible for Customs at the CMB departure TVRS counter after check-in. If you do not have that paperwork, skip — enjoy the snack or lounge instead.
Attire: Comfortable travel clothes; modest / covered if shopping Fort–Pettah; layers for airport A/C.
🧭 How today unfolds
Morning · optional shopping
Shopping only today. Lotus Tower was Day 9 (dusk) if you had energy — not remade this morning. One short gift stop ~10:00–11:45, back at Granbell by 12:00. Airport departure stays around 16:00.
- Optional · rooftop pool before gifts (~07:00–09:30) if you want a last dip — only if time; leave around 09:35–10:00 for shopping
09:35Leave Granbell · PickMe or hotel car · if choosing gifts
🚗 10–20 mins · Dutch Hospital / Fort shops open around 10:00
10:00–11:45
Colombo shopping · one short gift stop
Optional · Day 10
- Why today
- Shopping-only morning — not Day 1, and Lotus Tower is not remade. Start ~10:00, back at Granbell by 12:00, airport leave still 16:00. Pick one stop (or one short pair max). Default = curiosity browse / tasteful buy — not a serious jewellery appointment.
- Gift shortlist · pick one path
-
- Clothes · easy modern — ODEL · 5 Alexandra Place, Colombo 07 · A/C department store · ~45–60 mins · tuk ~15–25 mins from Granbell · card OK
- Clothes · design / handloom — Barefoot · 704 Galle Road, Colombo 03 · textiles & soft gifts · ~30–45 mins · mid–premium
- Crafts / masks — Laksala Fort · 60 York Street · fixed-price government shop · best for Raksha wooden masks · ~20–30 mins · or Spa Ceylon at Dutch Hospital for cinnamon / travel-size wellness
- Bargain browse — Pettah Market · haggle · cash · bags zipped · ~30–40 mins max · or Saturday Good Market at Racecourse (~09:00–17:00) if you want less crush
- Gems · look only — Gem & Jewellery Exchange · WTC Level 5 · ~25–40 mins · written NGJA / lab cert before any buy · skip tuk-tuk “special price” pitches · serious buy = appointment, not this morning
Light pair only if time: Laksala → short Pettah · or Dutch Hospital courtyard → Laksala. Don’t stack clothes + gems + markets. Optional Gangaramaya exterior pass-by only if Day 1 was skipped and the gift clock is loose.
- Time to spend
- 60–90 minutes · leave market/Fort by ~11:20–11:35
- Photo tip
-
Old Dutch Hospital · Spa Ceylon stop 
Optional Gangaramaya exterior · gangaramaya.com Courtyard before 10:30 if starting at Dutch Hospital · then one craft or market stop. Sealed tea/spices travel well; skip leaky liquids for cabin bags.
Visit details · shopping stops
ODEL: odel.lk · 5 Alexandra Place, Colombo 07 · ☎ +94 11 512 8128
Barefoot: barefoot.lk · 704 Galle Road, Colombo 03
Laksala Fort: Open map · 60 York Street · ☎ +94 11 232 3513
Spa Ceylon: spaceylon.com · Old Dutch Hospital, Hospital Street
Pettah / Good Market: Pettah map · goodmarket.global · Nuga Tree car park, Racecourse
Gem Exchange: Open map · WTC Level 5, Colombo 01
Open map
Back to Granbell by 12:00 · checkout / bags with reception — try not to stretch past this before the afternoon buffer
Afternoon
12:15Optional spa · bags with reception
12:30–14:00
Lotus Lounge & Spa · Granbell
Optional · book ahead
- Why today
- In-house, so it adds no traffic risk on flight day. Hours 09:00–21:00 · last reservation 20:00 · arrive 15 mins early. Request current price when booking.
- Time to spend
- 60–90 min treatment
- Hotel setting
-
Lotus Lounge & Spa · Official Granbell image
Visit details
Website: Lotus Lounge & Spa
Address: Level 10, Granbell Hotel Colombo, 282/5 Kollupitiya Road, Marine Drive, Colombo 3
Phone: +94 11 239 7397
Hours: 09:00–21:00 · last reservation 20:00
Open map
14:15Late lunch at Granbell
14:15–15:00
Late lunch at Granbell
⭐ Recommended
- Why here
- Timing certainty and immediate access to stored luggage — a proper but not heavy meal before the car. Keep water for the drive.
- Time to spend
- 45 minutes · arrive at 14:15 and order promptly · room/card
- Hotel setting
-
Granbell All Day Dining · Official Granbell image
Visit details · Granbell All Day Dining
Website: Granbell All Day Dining
Address: Granbell Hotel Colombo, 282/5 Kollupitiya Road, Marine Drive, Colombo 3
Phone: +94 11 239 7397
Lunch hours: 12:00–15:00
Lunch service ends at 15:00; arriving around 14:15 gives you time to settle in and order at ease.
Open map
Lobby / rest · collect bags by ~15:30 · PickMe ~15:45
Airport
16:00Depart for the airport — PickMe at the lobby by 15:45 · hotel taxi backup via reception if needed
🚗 45–60 mins · ~35 km via E03 · keep passports out of packed bags · larger car if 2 big bags
17:00–21:15
CMB Terminal 1 · departure
⭐ Recommended
- Sequence
- Terminal entry → IndiGo bag drop (usually from ~3 hrs before the flight) → departure immigration → security → gate. Target arrival ~17:00–17:30 — room for traffic buffer, then snacks or lounge once bags are through. Confirm the driver pin matches Door-to-Door before you leave Granbell.
- Time to allow
- Leave city at 16:00 so weather, traffic or a PickMe hitch do not squeeze the ~19:00 bag-drop window
- What to expect
-
Aircraft and runway at sunset · airport context Luggage screening before airline counters, queues, possible gate change. After bags are checked, a calm snack or lounge sit is part of the plan — not a rush. Katunayake is north of Colombo — not in the city itself.
Visit details · Bandaranaike International Airport — Departure Passenger Terminal
Website: Bandaranaike International Airport
Location: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake — north of Colombo via E03
General enquiries: +94 11 226 4444 · terminal operates 24 hours
A quick check of the live IndiGo terminal before travel helps.
Open map
At the gate by 21:15 · stop shopping by 21:00
Last-chance shopping: city stops are in today's plan above. Use CMB only for a forgotten tea/gift or travel-size Spa Ceylon item after immigration.
✅ Pre-Departure Checklist
📱Check-inIndiGo online check-in + boarding passes saved (due last night) — worth a glance · PNR U5SMTY
🧳Packing · ~15:15Weigh bags · power banks to cabin baggage · empty room safe · check bathroom, sockets and wardrobe
🎫Before the car · 15:45Passports · ETA copies · boarding passes · wallets/cards · medicines · chargers · luggage counted
💵Before CMBKeep small LKR for toll/tips; easier not to carry excess Sri Lankan currency home
🛋️After bag dropSnack airside · lounge if your card covers CMB · optional TVRS counter only if you already have VAT-refund paperwork
💵 Money today Today's Out-of-pocket Expenses₹1,800–7,700 · Flights already prepaid separately.
Today's Out-of-pocket Expenses · ₹1,800–7,700
Flights already prepaid separately. Breakfast at Granbell and return flights (₹54,776) sit outside this total. Spa, shopping and lounge are extras if chosen. Lotus Tower tickets sit on Day 9 if you went.
| For what? | Amount | ≈ INR | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| PickMe · Granbell ↔ shopping stops | LKR 800–1,800 rt | ₹230–520 | App |
| Optional shopping (boutique / Laksala / Pettah / Good Market) | personal | budget yours | Cash / Card |
| Granbell spa (optional 60–90 min) | menu price | ask hotel | Room / Card |
| Late lunch at Granbell | LKR 3,500–7,000 | ₹1,000–2,000 | Room / Card |
| PickMe · Granbell → CMB (+ toll) | LKR 3,500–6,000 | ₹520–1,700 | App · hotel taxi backup |
| Small LKR float (tips / last notes) | LKR 1,000–2,000 | ₹300–570 | Cash |
| CMB lounge (if no Priority Pass / LoungeKey) | ~USD 30–40/adult | ~₹2,500–3,400 | Card |
| BOM → Thane (Sun morning) | ~₹800–1,500 | ₹800–1,500 | UPI / Cash |
| Flights (RT) · already paid | ₹54,776 | paid | Already paid |
💡 Useful Tips
- Leave Granbell around 16:00 (PickMe ~15:45) so traffic, weather or an app cancellation do not squeeze bag drop — counters usually open ~3 hrs before the 22:00 flight
- After bags are checked: a snack airside is part of the plan; lounge only if your card has CMB access
- Shopping only: one short gift stop (~60–90 mins) · back by 12:00 · Lotus Tower was Day 9 dusk if energy allowed — not remade today · Skip Galle Face (Day 1)
- Optional morning shop — pick one stop from today's plan; keep bags zipped in Pettah
- VAT refund is available only from authorised TVRS shops with the right invoice — skip if you did not shop that way
- Power banks stay in cabin baggage
- Keep one change of clothes and medicines in cabin
- Check gate screens again after immigration
- Safe travels home — it has been a joy to plan this chapter with you
The final luxury is leaving with enough time: no rushed checkout, no anxious traffic, no unfinished goodbye.