Travelling from Colombo to London: what you need to know
Planning your holiday starts with working out where you'll fly out of in Colombo. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the city's main airport, so explore your options for booking a flight from Colombo to London jetting off from here.
London has a number of airports you can fly into. Land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). Alternatively, arrive at London Luton Airport (LTN) or London City Airport (LCY).
A direct flight from Colombo to London takes an average of 11 hours 28 minutes. The timezone in London is UTC+0, which is 5 hours 30 minutes behind Colombo.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 12 flights a week to choose from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Colombo to London is with SriLankan Airlines at 13:05. Opt for the first CMB to LHR departure operated by SriLankan Airlines at 02:20 if you're more of an early bird.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Colombo to London.
Travelling during a peak month like August? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
If you hold a passport from Sri Lanka, you'll need an embassy visa to enter United Kingdom. This applies when booking a cheap flight from Colombo to London for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you make travel plans and certainly before flying.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
If you're after a direct flight from Colombo to London, you can board one at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Get from CMB to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) without making any stops.
You can get away on a direct flight from Colombo to London with SriLankan Airlines. This top airline operates services from CMB.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even visit a new city. When browsing flights from Colombo to London departing from Bandaranaike International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Colombo, CMB can be reached in about 39 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near Bandaranaike International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Colombo to London or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is around 31 kilometres from central London. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is around 57 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 1 minute.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Colombo to London, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near LHR:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Central London is about 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). After your flight from Colombo to London has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 1 hour and 19 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour and 26 minutes.
After your flight from Colombo to London, kick back at a hotel close to LGW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to London
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Colombo to London is P16,639. For a return flight on this route, the best price is P36,086. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Get cheap tickets from Colombo to London by booking at least 2 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
October is the cheapest month for tickets from Colombo to London. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Colombo to London. You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped. We'll tell you when there's a change in price.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Colombo to London.
Best time to go to London
February is the quietest month for flights from Colombo to London, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to London based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in your flight from Colombo to London for July if you'd like to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in London to range from 11ºC to 26ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Colombo to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in London right here. Browse these options once you've locked in your flight from Colombo to London:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are attractions you won't want to skip in London.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
Discover our range of car rentals once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from Colombo to London. Whether you're looking for a compact ride, an SUV or something with all the extras, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.