Book cheap flights to Colombo with Globehunters today and experience historic religious sites alongside modern skyscrapers and large green spaces.

Old and new come together in the capital of Sri Lanka, where first-time visitors might be overwhelmed by the amount of people and vehicles that populate the bustling streets, although you’ll soon be won over by its charm.

There’s lots to see and do, but most people are immediately drawn to the many spectacular temples which scatter the streets.

In particular, the Gangaramaya Temple is popular, with its eclectic architecture, Buddhist statues and museum.

Other popular attractions include the National Museum of Colombo, Natural History Museum and the Dutch Period Museum and National Art Gallery, featuring Sri Lankan and worldwide pieces.

If you want to escape the busy streets of downtown Colombo, you can head out to the more natural surroundings of the Viharamahadevi Park or the Talangama Wetland for a more relaxed experience.

And when the sun goes down over the city, make sure to head to the promenade at Galle Face Green to watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean.

If you want to arrive in Colombo in style, be sure to check out our first class flights and business class flights today!

We are proud to offer first class flights and business class flights to Colombo as well as economy.

5 Things You Need to Know About Colombo

If you’ve never visited Sri Lanka before, here are five things which you should know before packing your bags:

Time Difference: GMT +5:50 hours
Currency: LKR 
Native Language: Sinhalese & Tamil
Weather: Average temperature of 29°C during the warmest month (April) and 27°C during the coldest (January).
Sales Tax: 11%

Flying to Colombo from the UK

Here’s everything you’ll need to know when flying from the UK to Colombo, including the average flight time and entry requirements.

Flight Times

Direct flights from the UK are available from London Heathrow and seasonally from London Gatwick, and take around ten and a half hours.

From other airports such as Manchester, an indirect flight will take around 16 hours depending on which connections you have to make.

Entry Requirements

British travellers heading to Colombo will require a visa to enter Sri Lanka. Short-stay visas are available online through the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

Tourist visas are usually issued for a period of 30 days, and while these can be obtained on arrival, it’s best to apply in advance to ensure there are no problems.

Airlines That Fly to Colombo

Currently, only SriLankan Airlines (Year Round) and Thomson (Seasonally) fly direct from the UK to Colombo, although if you’re flying from outside London, the following airlines offer indirect services:

- Oman Air
- Emirates
- KLM
- Qatar Airways
- British Airways

Remember that even if you’re flying from London, flying indirect might work out as much better value, so be sure to check with our team of experienced travel consultants, who will be happy to help you find the best route for you.

The Airport

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

Also known as Colombo International Airport, this is the city’s major international airport, and the hub of SriLankan Airlines.

The airport is located about 20 miles to the north of the city of Colombo and is connected via a coach service every 15 minutes, which takes around 30 minutes to reach the city.

There’s also an airport taxi service which takes around 20 minutes and a high-speed rail system is also being proposed which would connect to a Colombo Monorail.

Popular Routes

Popular routes to Colombo from the UK include:

- London to Colombo Flights
- Manchester to Colombo Flights

10 Colombo Must-Dos

If you’re visiting Colombo for the first time and are wondering what should be top of your to-do list, here are our ten Colombo Must-Dos.

- Galle Face Green
- National Museum of Colombo
- Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple
- Viharamahadevi Park
- Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
- National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka
- Beira Lake
- Colombo Dutch Museum
- Royal Colombo Golf Club
- St. Lucia’s Cathedral

Book Cheap Flights to Colombo with Globehunters

If you’re looking to book flights to Colombo, be sure to get in touch with the team here at Globehunters, where we’ll be happy to assist you in booking your flights, hotel and car hire.

Remember that all of our bookings are totally secure, as we are protected by ATOL and a member of IATA, to give you complete peace of mind.