Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is a large international airport serving Mattala in southern Sri Lanka. Known by the codes HRI and VCRI, it is one of the main air gateways for travellers heading toward the island’s southeast, including wildlife areas, beaches, and road connections deeper into the Southern Province. The airport sits at an elevation of 157 feet, or 48 metres, above sea level, and operates in the Asia/Colombo time zone, so visitors can plan onward transport and hotel check-ins without confusion after arrival.
Overview
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is a large international airport serving Mattala in southern Sri Lanka. Known by the codes HRI and VCRI, it is one of the main air gateways for travellers heading toward the island’s southeast, including wildlife areas, beaches, and road connections deeper into the Southern Province. The airport sits at an elevation of 157 feet, or 48 metres, above sea level, and operates in the Asia/Colombo time zone, so visitors can plan onward transport and hotel check-ins without confusion after arrival.
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
Originfacts is still expanding airline coverage for HRI. When comparing flights, check the operating airline, baggage rules, terminal information and connection terms before choosing an itinerary.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport may handle domestic, international, regional or mixed operations depending on the airlines and routes available at HRI. Always confirm the terminal or check-in area with the operating airline before travel.
Connections through HRI need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports, compare HRI against nearby alternatives, total ground-transport cost and the reliability of the connection. A slightly higher fare can be worthwhile when it reduces transfer risk or shortens the total journey.
Practical guide
Using Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport without guesswork
Plan HRI around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Hambantota to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at HRI. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
Use the official airport and airline information for HRI to confirm the correct terminal, check-in area and transfer process before travel.
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for HRI
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for HRI.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at HRI. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
Use the official airport and airline information for HRI to confirm the correct terminal, check-in area and transfer process before travel.
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Routes
Top routes from HRI
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
No routes tracked from HRI yet.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at HRI
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersMattala Rajapaksa International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at HRI.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Hambantota can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at HRI depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around HRI can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in Sri Lanka
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in Sri Lanka.
FAQ
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is located in Hambantota, Sri Lanka (Asia), at coordinates 6.290°, 81.120°.
- Its IATA code is HRI and its ICAO code is VCRI.
- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport serves Hambantota, Sri Lanka. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport operates on Asia/Colombo local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport sits at latitude 6.290° and longitude 81.120°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Originfacts does not yet track scheduled routes from HRI. Use the flight search on this page to see live airline options for your travel dates.
- Route coverage for HRI is still being added to Originfacts. Run a search from HRI on the flight search page to see every destination airlines currently sell for your dates.
- Its address is Mattala, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, the phone number is +94 472 031 000, the official website is http://www.airport.lk/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in Sri Lanka. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.