Travelling from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Colombo: what you need to know
Around 11 hours 28 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of London, where London Heathrow Airport is located.
With 12 flights a week between the two airports, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the busiest route. SriLankan Airlines operates the earliest flight at 12:35. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the last departure from LHR to CMB is with SriLankan Airlines at 21:30.
To ensure you get on your flight from LHR to Colombo, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months such as July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
Nonstop flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Colombo are available for booking. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is where you'll be touching down.
Book your ticket with SriLankan Airlines. This airline operates direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo.
We make it easy to book a flight from LHR to Colombo that includes a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
If you hold a passport from United Kingdom, you'll need an e-visa to enter Sri Lanka. This applies when booking a cheap ticket from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines ahead of booking and certainly before flying.
The journey from central London to LHR takes approximately 1 hour and 1 minute by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 31 kilometres in 57 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to LHR:
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Colombo
RM1,304 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo. For a return flight on this route, the best price is RM2,988. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Get cheap tickets from LHR to Colombo by booking 8 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
April is the cheapest month for tickets from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from LHR to Colombo. There's no need to check back in every day to see if prices have fallen. We'll notify you the moment there's a change in price.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from central Colombo. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 39 minutes.
Travelling on public transport takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near RML if you're taking a late flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo. Choose one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 32 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. Following your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo, it'll take you around 39 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from LHR to Colombo:
Best time to go to Colombo
Before scheduling your flights from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the low season means you'll get better deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Book your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo for March to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Search for cheap flights from LHR to Colombo sometime then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Colombo right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo:
Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are just the start of the top-rated attractions to put on your Colombo to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Viharamahadevi Park.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from London Heathrow Airport to Colombo isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Colombo and explore the city on your own terms. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.