Flying from London to Colombo: what you need to know
You can take your pick of multiple airports when planning your flight from London to Colombo. Check out your options for flying out of London from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) also operate in London.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the primary hub where you can land in Colombo.
The average length of a direct flight from London to Colombo is 10 hours 42 minutes. Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, which makes Colombo 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of London.
The busiest route for flights from London to Colombo is from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Choose from 12 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to head off first thing, the earliest flight from LHR to CMB is the 12:35 SriLankan Airlines service. If you prefer traveling later, the final departure is at 21:30 with SriLankan Airlines.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from London to Colombo.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during a peak period in general.
You will need an e-visa for Sri Lanka if you hold a passport from United Kingdom and are traveling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to change. So before booking your cheap flights from London to Colombo, check with your airline and the destination country's local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Take off from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a nonstop flight from London to Colombo. From LHR, you can fly directly into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
SriLankan Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from London to Colombo leaving from LHR.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight from London to Colombo. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from London Heathrow Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
Located around 31 kilometers from central London, LHR can be reached in approximately 57 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 1 minute.
Catching an early flight from London to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these stays close to London Heathrow Airport:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Break up your flight from London to Colombo with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross another place off your list. Some great stopovers between London Heathrow Airport and Colombo include:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
You can get to LGW from central London in approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes to cover the 80 kilometers or so.
Get your vacation started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from London to Colombo, chill out in one of these hotels near London Gatwick Airport:
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes about 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometers away.
When traveling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 16 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from London to Colombo, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
As soon as your flight from London to Colombo has hit the runway, you can reach the city center in about 39 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 32 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes.
You'll find some cozy stays where you can make a pit stop near CMB. Tuck yourself in after your flight from London to Colombo at one of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Colombo
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from London to Colombo is $224. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $515. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Lock in cheap tickets from London to Colombo by booking at least 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from London to Colombo is April. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Getting a cheap ticket from London to Colombo is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Use filters to tailor your flights from London to Colombo. Enter your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo in high season if you prefer a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from London to Colombo during the off-season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Before locking in your flight from London to Colombo, consider the kind of weather you like best. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Search for cheap tickets from London to Colombo sometime then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from London to Colombo, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great vacation has to include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are attractions you won't want to skip in Colombo.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Explore our lineup of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from London to Colombo. Whether you want an SUV, a compact ride or something with all the extras, you can compare companies in one go to get the best deal.