Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Kuala Lumpur. Check out your options leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) when organising your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo.
Touch down at Colombo's chief entry point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
The average time for a direct Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flight is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Colombo is two hours 30 minutes behind Kuala Lumpur and follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo is from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You can select from 36 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from KUL to CMB is the 08:10 SriLankan Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final scheduled service is at 22:35 with Malaysia Airlines.
Give yourself enough time to catch your Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak time like August? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo
Book one month before your departure date. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flights.
Organise your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring great bargains on plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Save money on your Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Take off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) on a nonstop flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. From KUL, you can land directly at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
You can choose from various airlines offering direct Kuala Lumpur to Colombo plane tickets with departures from KUL, including:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and maybe even tour another city. When browsing Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Velana International Airport (MLE)
Travelling from central Kuala Lumpur to KUL takes about 1 hour on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 1 hour 5 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
Of all flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 58.65% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
On public transport, you can travel from central Kuala Lumpur to SZB in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 18 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 25 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo? Relax in a hotel near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport before your holiday officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport has an on-time performance rate of 68%. This figure gives an insight into how frequently flights that take off from this airport reach their destination on time.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is approximately 13 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.
It usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is approximately 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 40 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare offers from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Snap up the best price by securing your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Kuala Lumpur in high season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Lumpur during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Kuala Lumpur to Colombo ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-do's during your Colombo adventure.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many places in Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Colombo. Around 18 kilometres to the south, top sights here include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, Jaffna is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
