Traveling from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Colombo's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur departing from here.
Step off your plane in Kuala Lumpur at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
3 hours 48 minutes is the average time for a direct flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur. Following the UTC+8 timezone, Kuala Lumpur is 2 hours 30 minutes ahead of Colombo.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 268 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur is with AirAsia at 23:00. Opt for the first CMB to KUL departure operated by Malaysia Airlines at 00:05 if you're more of an early bird.
To ensure you get on your flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues during popular months such as August and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
If you have a passport from Sri Lanka, you will need an e-visa to enter Malaysia. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're traveling for work or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines before you make travel plans and definitely before flying.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Take off from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) on a nonstop flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur. From CMB, you can travel directly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).
At CMB, there's a good selection of airlines offering direct flights from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur, such as:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and possibly even explore a different city. When browsing flights from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur departing from Bandaranaike International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
The journey from central Colombo to CMB takes around 1 hour and 31 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometers in 39 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Bandaranaike International Airport:
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to central Kuala Lumpur is roughly 64 kilometers. It takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes to reach the center driving.
It takes roughly 4 hours and 29 minutes if you're using public transport.
If you have a late flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near KUL:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
After your flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur has touched down, you can make your way to the city center in about 27 minutes by car. Central Kuala Lumpur is approximately 24 kilometers from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour and 32 minutes.
There are some comfortable stays ready to welcome you near SZB. Tuck yourself in after your flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur is $125. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $216. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
To secure cheap tickets from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur, book your trip 9 months before your departure date.
The cheapest month for tickets from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur is May. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Finding a cheap ticket from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur. August is the most popular month for a trip to Kuala Lumpur. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
The warmest month in Kuala Lumpur is March, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your flights from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January has average temperatures of between 21ºC and 32ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur sometime around then if you like cooler conditions.
More about Kuala Lumpur
Once you've booked your flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Kuala Lumpur:
Every great vacation has to include a little sightseeing. Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower Mini Zoo and KLCC Park are essential stops on your Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
Complete your Kuala Lumpur trip with a car rental
Check out our lineup of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur. Whether you're searching for an SUV, a compact ride or even something that'll turn heads, you can compare companies in one go to find the perfect deal.