Travelling from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Colombo: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 11 hours 35 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is five hours 30 minutes ahead of London, where London Heathrow Airport is located.
The busiest route is from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You can select from eight services every week between these two airports. SriLankan Airlines offers a 12:35 departure between LHR and CMB.
To avoid missing your LHR to Colombo flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
If you're jetting off during a major 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. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Direct London Heathrow Airport to Colombo tickets are available for booking. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is where you'll arrive.
Keep your eyes peeled for promotions from SriLankan Airlines. This airline has direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight ticket from LHR to Colombo. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
LHR is around 26 kilometres from central London. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 55 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour.
In search of a hotel close to LHR? If you've booked an early flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
When it comes to London Heathrow Airport's on-time performance, data shows 68.18% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Colombo
The best price we've found for a one-way London Heathrow Airport to Colombo flight is R 4,245. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 9,704. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to securing a cheap flight from LHR to Colombo. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more expensive your ticket may be.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.
You don't need to keep checking in to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an even better deal on cheap flights from LHR to Colombo.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from London Heathrow Airport 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 grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 40 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to RML if you're coming in on a late flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo. Pick one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about rest:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo has landed, you can make your way to the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
After stepping off your LHR to Colombo flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel near CMB. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo. The city buzzes during peak season, but hotel prices are usually higher and top attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Colombo in low season for a quieter vibe.
Book a London Heathrow Airport to Colombo flight ticket with a departure in March if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from LHR 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 London Heathrow Airport 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 the start of the major attractions to put on your Colombo itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Jaffna is just one of the many places in Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Colombo. Around 306 kilometres away to the north, top sights here include Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo, Trincomalee is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.