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Cheap flights to Colombo

CMH — CMB
25 Apr — 2 May1
1 adult
Thu 25/4
Thu 2/5

Flights to Colombo in 2024

Find the latest flights to Colombo in 2024, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 595,970 searches and data was last updated on 20 April 2024.

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$1,483

Return from

$930

One-way from

$434
High demand for flights, 23% potential price rise
Best time to find cheap flights, 5% potential price drop
Average for return flights in April 2024
From Sydney Kingsford Smith to Colombo
One-way flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) to Colombo (CMB)

Average price of flights to Bandaranaike Intl Airport by month

Plan your trip to Colombo by taking into account the cheapest months to travel. The average price of a one-way flight to Colombo is currently $0 while a return flight costs $0. Price data was last updated on 14 April 2024.

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight to Colombo (average of $736). Flying to Colombo in December will prove the most costly (average of $1,267). There are multiple factors that influence the price of a flight so comparing airlines, departure airports and times can help keep costs down.

January

$1,327

February

$1,181

March

$1,190

April

$1,209

May

$1,148

June

$1,363

July

$1,246

August

$1,212

September

$1,302

October

$1,202

November

$1,249

December

$1,976

Two monsoon seasons deter travellers from visiting Colombo from May through August and October through December. In general, the best time to fly to Colombo is between January and March, when rainfall is at its lowest and temperatures climb toward their highest. Travellers seeking a trip filled with festivals may want to consider braving the monsoon season and travelling in May for the celebration of Buddha’s birth, which sees Colombo covered in lanterns, lights and other decorations. Cheaper flights to Colombo can be found outside of the peak travel months of January, February and March when other celebrations take place.

Duruthu Perahera at Kelaniya Temple

Traditionally, the Duruthu Perahera takes place on the pre-full moon day in the month of January. The spectacular procession entices hundreds and thousands of natives and tourists who are keen to witness the cultural heritage and ancient traditions of the nation through the remarkable parades of folk music, rhythmic dance and drum performances outside the Temple Purlieu.

Navam Perehera

Every year, the streets of Colombo come alive to celebrate February’s full moon. The streets are flowing with vibrant and colourful processions with a display of dancers, drummers, traditional folklore, music and Chieftains in traditional attire. The main attraction of the parade is the hundreds of elephants that travel from various parts of the country dressed in shining cloaks. This huge event is located at Gangarama Temple in Colombo with more than a million spectators taking flights to Colombo annually.

Temperature and rainfall in Colombo by month

Plan your trip to Colombo by taking into account the average temperature and rainfall totals by month.

CMB

Temperature

27 - 28 °C

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Colombo, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, March is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 28.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 27.0 C).

When is the best time to book a flight to Colombo?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight to Colombo. Price data was last updated on 28 January 2024.
The price you pay for your flight to Colombo may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 88 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.
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When is the cheapest time to fly to Colombo?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return to Colombo. Price data was last updated on 14 April 2024.
Morning
Midday
Afternoon
Evening
All times are departure.
Users looking for the lowest fares to Colombo should consider flying on Tuesday at midday, when prices are typically cheapest. Budget-minded travellers will want to avoid Saturday mornings, when prices are usually at their highest.
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Reviews of airlines servicing Colombo

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Colombo. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Colombo. Reviews last updated 20 April 2024.
Read through reviews of airlines servicing Colombo, such as IndiGo, Singapore Airlines and SriLankan Airlines. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
8.3
Very Good
1,492 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.8

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.3

Boarding

8.4

Reviews

1 / 10

The seats and leg room not comfortable. Food was mediocre. The staff were very attentive

8.3
Very Good
1,492 reviews
8.3
Very Good
1,492 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.8

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.3

Boarding

8.4

Reviews

1 / 10

The seats and leg room not comfortable. Food was mediocre. The staff were very attentive

8.1
Very Good
4,082 reviews
8.3
Very Good
1,492 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.8

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.3

Boarding

8.4

Reviews

1 / 10

The seats and leg room not comfortable. Food was mediocre. The staff were very attentive

7.8
Good
1,144 reviews
8.3
Very Good
1,492 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.8

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.3

Boarding

8.4

Reviews

1 / 10

The seats and leg room not comfortable. Food was mediocre. The staff were very attentive

7.7
Good
1,013 reviews
8.3
Very Good
1,492 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.8

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.3

Boarding

8.4

Reviews

1 / 10

The seats and leg room not comfortable. Food was mediocre. The staff were very attentive

7.5
Good
404 reviews
8.3
Very Good
1,492 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.8

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.3

Boarding

8.4

Reviews

1 / 10

The seats and leg room not comfortable. Food was mediocre. The staff were very attentive

Why visit

As is the case with many sprawling metropolises in the region, Colombo today is a sum of its many contrasting parts: historic religious sites against modern skyscrapers, a spread of ethnicities living side by side and extensive green spaces surrounded by the fumes of heavy traffic. History and modernity live side by side in Sri Lanka’s capital city on the ocean shore.

The first-time visitors who fly to Colombo may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people, traffic and activity that fill the streets of, but with time, the city’s charms begin to win over newcomers. There’s plenty to see, but many visitors choose to start with the stunning temples found throughout Colombo. Of these, the colourful Gangaramaya Temple is a favourite among visitors for its incredible Buddhist statues and museum. Colombo’s past is on full display at sites like The National Museum of Colombo, the Natural History Museum and the Dutch Period Museum, while contemporary and Sri Lankan art greet visitors to the National Art Gallery.

A metropolis Colombo surely is, but there are ample opportunities to escape the urban in favour of a more natural retreat. The wildlife that takes up residence at Viharamahadevi Park adds a lively element to a stroll through this lushly landscaped green space, while the Talangama Wetland just outside the city proper offers lakeside relaxation amongst butterflies and greenery.

After recharging, visitors can head to Galle Face Green, an oceanfront promenade that attracts many for some of the best sunset views in the city.

Getting from the airport

The only international airport serving the city is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is about 32 km north of the city. Depending on how heavy the traffic is, the journey between Bandaranaike International Airport and Colombo can take between half an hour and one hour. A shuttle runs every 15 minutes to take passengers from the airport terminal to a nearby bus station, where public transportation connects travellers to Colombo. Taxis are also available with fixed rates.

Getting around Colombo

Colombo’s streets are filled with three-wheel vehicles known as tuk-tuks, and these motorised for-hire vehicles can be a convenient way to get around the city. Tourists should opt for metered tuk-tuks rather than trying to negotiate a rate with the driver or better yet, seek out a special tourist-friendly fleet operated by the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority. Taxis are also available, as are public buses and a train system.

  • Can I find cheaper flights to Colombo if I am willing to have stopovers?

    Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to Colombo on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

  • What is the best airline to fly to Colombo?

    Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, AirAsia is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Colombo.

  • What is the cheapest airport to fly to in Colombo?

    Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in Colombo. One-way flights to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport typically cost $106, while return flights cost around $168.

  • How much is a return flight to Colombo?

    A return flight to Colombo will typically cost around $188, however they can be found for as little as $108.

  • Where does the fastest flight to Colombo depart from?

    For those looking to save time traveling to Colombo, Melbourne offers the quickest one-way flight (10 hours 45 minutes).

  • Does Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport have car hire?

    Yes. Those touching down at Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

  • Are there hotels close to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Yes. Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Green Star Residence is the closest property to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport (0.0 km away from Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport).

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