Flying from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Colombo: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo is 5 hours 40 minutes.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is two hours 30 minutes ahead of Riyadh, where King Khaled International Airport is located.
King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the most popular route, with ten flights a week to choose from. You can fly from RUH to CMB at 12:30 with FitsAir.
To avoid rushing for your RUH to Colombo flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Delays at security and check-in are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow some extra breathing space. A good general rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Start your trip at RUH and travel straight to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for King Khaled International Airport to Colombo tickets.
SriLankan Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even explore another city. When searching for flight tickets from RUH to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
To reach RUH from central Riyadh, it'll take around 35 minutes by car. It's roughly 27 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Want a hassle-free start to your trip? Stay near RUH. Whether you've booked an early flight from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels have you covered:
King Khaled International Airport gets top marks for its on-time performance. 86.76% of flights that take off from RUH arrive at their destination as scheduled.
How to find the cheapest flights from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Colombo
R 1,930 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way King Khaled International Airport to Colombo flight. A round-trip ticket right now is R 2,093. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from RUH to Colombo if you book early. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird deals.
Finding cheap tickets from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo is easier if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest prices across every month and walk away with an awesome deal.
Locking in a cheap flight from RUH to Colombo is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Find an affordable flight from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes around 40 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Book a hotel near RML if you have a late flight from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
After stepping off your RUH to Colombo flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to CMB. These are some comfortable 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 providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Securing your ride two weeks ahead of your arrival at CMB will save you money.
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo. The city comes alive in peak season, but rates are often higher and top attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Colombo in the off-season if you like a quieter vibe.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your King Khaled International Airport to Colombo flight ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Look for cheap tickets from RUH to Colombo in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just two of the top attractions to put on your Colombo must-do list. 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, well-known attractions include Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in Sri Lanka, head for Trincomalee, roughly 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are highlights.