Travelling from Kankesanturai Airport (JAF) to Colombo: what you need to know
Jaffna (the location of Kankesanturai Airport) and Colombo are in the same timezone — UTC+5:30.
Give yourself enough time to make your JAF to Colombo flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak time like May? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Central Jaffna to JAF is around 16 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 35 minutes to reach there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Catching an early flight from Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to JAF:
How to find the cheapest flights from Kankesanturai Airport (JAF) to Colombo
R 3,719 is currently the best price for a one-way Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo flight. A return flight ticket starts at R 7,323. These prices may change based on demand and availability.
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap flight from JAF to Colombo. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price across each month when looking for a Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo ticket.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from JAF to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kilometres. It'll take you around 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 32 kilometres from central Colombo. Once you've hopped off your flight from Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo, it'll take you around 40 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to park your luggage (and yourself) near CMB. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your JAF to Colombo flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or waiting in a long cab line. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Check out the availability and rates from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
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 locking in your flights from Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the off-season means you'll get cheaper deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
Before booking a Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo flight ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from JAF to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Kankesanturai Airport to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are a couple of top attractions to add to your Colombo must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Jaffna is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've seen Colombo. Around 306 kilometres away to the north, its top attractions include Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Trincomalee is another standout destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No journey is complete without visiting Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
