iDiscover the best prices by selecting your travel dates.
Gulf Air
GF 2
→ Outbound · 27 Sep
LHR
London Heathrow
CMB
Colombo
10:00 AM
27 Sep
19h 10m
9:40 AM
28 Sep
← Return · 7 Oct
CMB
Colombo
LHR
London Heathrow
5:20 PM
7 Oct
26h 30m
3:20 PM
8 Oct
from
£513
Return · per adult
China Eastern
MU 214
→ Outbound · 8 Nov
LGW
London Gatwick
CMB
Colombo
5:00 PM
8 Nov
20h 30m
7:00 PM
9 Nov
← Return · 18 Nov
CMB
Colombo
LGW
London Gatwick
8:20 PM
18 Nov
39h 40m
6:30 AM
20 Nov
from
£617
Return · per adult
Air India
AI 2016
→ Outbound · 20 Dec
LHR
London Heathrow
CMB
Colombo
10:00 PM
20 Dec
27h 50m
7:20 AM
22 Dec
← Return · 30 Dec
CMB
Colombo
LHR
London Heathrow
8:20 AM
30 Dec
17h 40m
8:30 PM
30 Dec
from
£1204
Return · per adult
Turkish Airlines
TK 1244
→ Outbound · 31 Jan
STN
London Stansted
CMB
Colombo
5:20 PM
31 Jan
32h 55m
7:45 AM
2 Feb
← Return · 10 Feb
CMB
Colombo
STN
London Stansted
9:15 AM
10 Feb
36h 35m
4:20 PM
11 Feb
from
£648
Return · per adult
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Popular airlines to Colombo
Top 8 airlines flying from London to Colombo
Cheapest and average return economy fares by carrier, from our sampled live searches. Fares change constantly — tap Search to see live prices for your dates.
| Airline | Cheapest | Average | Flights | Search |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Air | £533 | £590 | With stops | |
 Etihad | £604 | £750 | With stops | |
| Air India | £619 | £1134 | With stops | |
 Qatar Airways | £627 | £725 | With stops | |
| Turkish Airlines | £637 | £774 | With stops | |
 British Airways | £639 | £1086 | With stops | |
 Aer Lingus | £830 | £840 | With stops | |
 Emirates | £870 | £5522 | With stops |
Everything you should know
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Insights & trends for London to Colombo flights
Data-powered insights to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.
How much is a return flight from London to Colombo?
Return flights from London to Colombo typically cost between £598 and £832 in August, though fares move with demand, season and how early you book. The lowest fare our search found recently was £542 — a great price and well below the usual range, so a price near this is worth grabbing. Keeping your dates flexible and comparing nearby days is the easiest way to land at the cheaper end.
What is the cheapest day to fly to Colombo?
indicativeThe cheapest day to depart to Colombo is usually Tuesday, when fares start from around £534 — midweek departures tend to be quieter and cheaper. Saturday is typically the most expensive day to fly out (around £613), as weekend travel is popular with leisure and business travellers alike. Where your plans allow, moving your outbound to a cheaper weekday can noticeably lower the total fare.
What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Colombo?
Flights to Colombo are generally cheapest departing in the morning, with fares from around £533. Departures in midday tend to cost more (about £619), as those slots are more convenient and in higher demand. Picking an off-peak departure time is a simple way to trim the price without changing your dates.
What is the cheapest London airport to fly to Colombo from?
The cheapest return flights to Colombo depart from London Heathrow (LHR), from around £608. London has several airports serving this route and fares can vary between them — Stansted (STN) is often the priciest at around £667. It's worth checking which London airport is both cheapest and most convenient for you before booking.
Average return fare to Colombo by month
The cheapest month to fly from London to Colombo is typically May, with return economy fares from £542. Fares are usually highest in August (around £1005). Figures are indicative, from sampled live fares, and change with demand.
Cheapest sampled return economy fare, London to Colombo, per month. Search live for exact prices.
When to book flights from London to Colombo
Are your dates flexible? These are the ideal times to fly to Colombo based on our flight data — find the cheapest days for a 7-day trip.
Cheap flights to Colombo from across the UK
You don't have to fly from London. The cheapest UK departure for Colombo is currently Manchester from £581. Compare return economy fares and typical flight times below — figures are indicative from sampled fares.
Indicative cheapest return economy fares by UK origin. Pick your dates in the search form above.
Weather in Colombo
Monday
Overcast
34°C
31/08/2026
Tuesday
Overcast
33°C
01/09/2026
Wednesday
Drizzle
32°C
02/09/2026
Thursday
Light rain
32°C
03/09/2026
Friday
Drizzle
32°C
04/09/2026
Saturday
Drizzle
32°C
05/09/2026
Sunday
Drizzle
33°C
06/09/2026
Powered by Open-Meteo.com
Reviews of airlines servicing Colombo
See what customers who have flown with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and more to Colombo have to say. Each airline is scored on boarding, crew, food, comfort and entertainment.
Qatar Airways
1,450 reviews
Emirates
1,040 reviews
Turkish Airlines
2,140 reviews
British Airways
8,148 reviews
Qatar Airways
9.0WonderfulA well-managed flight with professional service. The crew were polite and responsive, and I appreciated their attention to passengers.
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Read moreGood to know — flights from London to Colombo
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Popular flights to Colombo
About flights to Colombo
Overview
Colombo, the vibrant commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is a lively coastal city where colonial architecture, buzzing markets, temples and Indian Ocean sunsets come together. It is the main gateway to the island's tea country, ancient cities and golden beaches, and a key destination for UK travellers visiting family or exploring Sri Lanka. Flights arrive into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), just north of the city near Negombo. Comparing fares in one place makes finding the right flight to Colombo quick and simple.
Best time to fly to Colombo
Sri Lanka's weather is shaped by two monsoons. For Colombo and the west and south coasts, the drier season runs from December to March, the most popular time to visit, so fares run higher. The southwest monsoon brings rain between roughly May and September. Fares tend to peak around Christmas, so travelling in the shoulder weeks stretches your budget further. Check the price charts on this page for the cheapest dates.
Airlines and routes
SriLankan Airlines flies direct from London Heathrow to Colombo in around 11 hours. For connecting options — often better value — Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi) and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) all serve Colombo from the UK. From Manchester and other regional airports, a one-stop routing via a Gulf hub is the usual choice. Compare carriers for your exact dates to secure the lowest fare.
Things to do in Colombo
Colombo blends heritage, faith and seaside charm:
- Gangaramaya Temple: an eclectic and much-loved Buddhist temple in the city centre.
- Galle Face Green: a breezy seafront promenade famous for sunsets and street food.
- Pettah Market: a bustling bazaar district packed with colour, spices and bargains.
- National Museum of Colombo: the country's largest museum, tracing its rich history.
- Old Dutch Hospital: a beautifully restored colonial precinct of shops and restaurants.
At Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International sits about 32 km north of central Colombo, near the resort town of Negombo, with duty-free shopping, currency exchange, ATMs and dining. Airport taxis, pre-booked transfers and the expressway make the drive into the city quick, and many hotels offer pick-ups. Ride-hailing apps also operate from the airport.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Colombo
- Book roughly 2–4 months ahead — long-haul fares to Sri Lanka rise close to departure.
- Avoid the December peak; the shoulder weeks bring noticeably lower prices.
- Be flexible with dates — midweek departures often beat weekend prices.
- Compare direct and one-stop options; a single Gulf-hub connection can save a good deal.
Travel essentials
- UK travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka — apply online before you fly.
- The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).
- Dress modestly at temples, covering shoulders and knees and removing shoes.
Baggage & hand-luggage allowance for flights to Colombo
Your allowance to Colombo depends on the airline and the fare you book. The table below shows typical long-haul allowances so you know roughly what to expect — always confirm the exact limits with your airline before you fly.
| Fare type | Hand baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Basic / Light economy | 1 small under-seat bag | Usually none — add for a fee |
| Standard economy | 1 cabin bag + 1 personal item | Typically 1 × 23 kg |
| Premium economy | 1–2 cabin bags + personal item | Typically 2 × 23 kg |
| Business / First | 2 cabin bags + personal item | Typically 2 × 32 kg |
Indicative only. Allowances vary by airline, route and fare — always check your airline's baggage policy.
Packing & baggage tips
- Full-service carriers (e.g. British Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM) usually include a checked bag on long-haul economy fares; basic/low-cost fares often don't.
- Cabin (hand) bag size is commonly around 56 × 45 × 25 cm — confirm your airline's limit before you pack.
- Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, inside one clear resealable bag.
- Weigh your bags at home — airport excess-baggage fees are far higher than pre-booked allowances.
- Extra or heavier bags are almost always cheaper added online in advance than at the airport.
FAQs — booking Colombo flights
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