Travelling from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Amsterdam, where Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is located.
To avoid rushing for your AMS to Colombo flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're travelling during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even explore another city. When browsing for flight tickets from AMS to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 13 kilometres from central Amsterdam, AMS can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
Searching for a hotel near AMS? If you're catching an early flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo, these stays set you up for a seamless send-off:
67.93% of flights departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol touch down at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Colombo
R 4,648 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo flight. Return flight tickets start at R 10,507. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from AMS to Colombo. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Landing cheap tickets from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo is more likely if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to access the lowest prices across every month and bag a fantastic deal.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from AMS to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 40 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 32 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. Once you've hopped off your flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo, it'll take you around 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
After stepping off your AMS to Colombo flight, rest your head at a hotel close to CMB. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before scheduling your flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in Colombo offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the off-season means you'll get cheaper deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
Lock in an Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo flight ticket with a departure in March if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from AMS to Colombo in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just a couple of the top attractions to put on your Colombo itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've seen Colombo, now it's time to explore other parts of Sri Lanka. Travel about 306 kilometres north to Jaffna to check off its leading sights. From Jaffna Fort to Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Trincomalee is another must-experience destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No journey is complete without a visit to Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
