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✈️ Cheap flights to Sri Lanka
Compare fares to Sri Lanka from hundreds of airlines and travel sites – fly into Bandaranaike International Colombo (CMB). Find the best time to fly, flight times from major cities and every airport.
🔥 Cheapest flights to Sri Lanka right now
🛬 Airports in Sri Lanka
| Code | Airport | City | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMB | Bandaranaike International Colombo | Colombo | Main |
| RML | Colombo Ratmalana Intl | Colombo | Main |
| JAF | Jaffna Intl | Jaffna | Main |
| TRR | China Bay | Trincomalee | Regional |
| BTC | Batticaloa Intl | Batticaloa | Regional |
| HRI | Mattala Rajapaksa Intl | Mattala | Regional |
| KCT | Koggala | Galle | Regional |
Most visitors fly into Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo, which has connections across Asia, the Gulf and Europe. A smaller international airport at Mattala serves the south, and there are no land borders.
📅 Best time to fly to Sri Lanka
Best: December to March – dry and sunny on the west and south coasts and in the hill country, ideal for beaches and sightseeing.
Cheaper shoulder season: April and September to November – warmer or more changeable weather but fewer crowds; the east coast is at its best from May to September.
Avoid: No bad time – but May to July brings the southwest monsoon to the west and south coasts, and October to January is wetter in the north and east.
Weather by month in Colombo
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Average daytime highs (°C) and how rainy each month is.
⏱️ Flight times to Sri Lanka
| Route | Distance | Flight time (nonstop) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London → Colombo | 8,714 km | 11 h 10 min | |
| New York → Colombo | 14,054 km | 17 h 35 min* | |
| Los Angeles → Colombo | 15,053 km | 18 h 50 min* | |
| Chicago → Colombo | 14,409 km | 18 h 00 min* | |
| Miami → Colombo | 15,768 km | 19 h 40 min* | |
| San Francisco → Colombo | 14,523 km | 18 h 10 min* | |
| Toronto → Colombo | 13,995 km | 17 h 30 min* | |
| Paris → Colombo | 8,482 km | 10 h 55 min | |
| Frankfurt → Colombo | 8,066 km | 10 h 25 min | |
| Dubai → Colombo | 3,288 km | 4 h 40 min | |
| Delhi → Colombo | 2,395 km | 3 h 35 min | |
| Mumbai → Colombo | 1,525 km | 2 h 30 min | |
| Singapore → Colombo | 2,749 km | 4 h 00 min | |
| Sydney → Colombo | 8,763 km | 11 h 15 min |
Flight times are estimates for a nonstop flight; with a connection allow 2–5 hours more. * Very long routes usually need a stop.
📍 Where to go in Sri Lanka
- Kandy – The last royal capital, set around a lake, with the Temple of the Tooth and lush botanical gardens nearby.
- Sigiriya – A spectacular rock fortress and the perfect base for exploring nearby Dambulla's cave temples.
- Anuradhapura – Vast dagobas, monasteries and a sacred Bodhi tree spread across one of South Asia's oldest cities.
- Polonnaruwa – Easy to explore by bike, with beautifully preserved palaces and the serene Gal Vihara Buddha statues.
- Ella – A backpacker-favourite mountain village with the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak and tea-country views.
- Galle – A UNESCO-listed fort town packed with cafes, galleries and old streets inside sea-facing walls.
💡 Flight hacks
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Flights to Sri Lanka: questions
What is the main airport in Sri Lanka?
The main international airport is Bandaranaike International Colombo (CMB) in Colombo. Other airports with scheduled flights include Colombo (RML), Jaffna (JAF), Trincomalee (TRR).
How long is the flight from London to Sri Lanka?
A nonstop flight from London to Colombo covers about 8,714 km and takes around 11 h 10 min. With a connection, plan for a few extra hours.
When is the best time to fly to Sri Lanka?
December to March – dry and sunny on the west and south coasts and in the hill country, ideal for beaches and sightseeing.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Sri Lanka?
Fares are usually lowest outside the peak season. Good-value months: April and September to November – warmer or more changeable weather but fewer crowds; the east coast is at its best from May to September.
Do I need a visa to fly to Sri Lanka?
It depends on your passport. See our Sri Lanka visa & entry guide for the rules, then check with the official embassy before you book.
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