Flying from Bucharest to Colombo: what you need to know
Planning your getaway begins with figuring out where you'll leave from in Bucharest. Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Bucharest to Colombo departing from here.
Hop off the plane at Colombo's major arrival point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Colombo is three hours 30 minutes ahead of Bucharest and is in the UTC+5:30 timezone.
To ensure you make your Bucharest to Colombo flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Bucharest to Colombo
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap Bucharest to Colombo flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Bucharest to Colombo is easy if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' function to see the best prices across every month and pick up an awesome deal.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Bucharest to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Bucharest to Colombo flights.
Flying from Bucharest
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even tour another city. When browsing Bucharest to Colombo flights departing from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
OTP is around 16 kilometres from central Bucharest. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 35 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Bucharest to Colombo or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
When it comes to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 71.27% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 13 kilometres. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Bucharest to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 27 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. Following your flight from Bucharest to Colombo, it takes approximately 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car simple. These trusted providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Get the pick of the lot. Securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means lower prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before locking in your flights from Bucharest to Bucharest, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Bucharest offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty to do, while the low season brings cheaper deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Bucharest to Colombo ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Bucharest to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Bucharest to Colombo, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are just a couple of the big attractions to put on your Colombo itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've seen Colombo, now it's time to explore other corners of Sri Lanka. Journey around 18 kilometres south to Moratuwa to tick off its leading sights. From Boat House to Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're interested in discovering another major stop in Sri Lanka, consider Jaffna, roughly 306 kilometres north of Colombo. Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library are among the biggest draws.
