Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Kuala Lumpur. Explore your options leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) when booking your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo.
Come in for landing at Colombo's chief entry point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Book a direct Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 3 hours 30 minutes.
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, which makes Colombo two hours 30 minutes behind Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to {"defaultCase":"Bandaranaike International Airport","accusativeCase":"Bandaranaike International Airport","nominativeCase":"Bandaranaike International Airport","dativeCase":"Bandaranaike International Airport"} (CMB) is the most popular route. When looking for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, you can select from 36 services each week between KUL and CMB.
To ensure you board your Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak month like August? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo
Book one month before your departure date. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flights.
Organise your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring great bargains on plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Save money on your Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, you can depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Fly from KUL to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in one seamless journey.
You'll find a variety of airlines offering direct Kuala Lumpur to Colombo plane tickets with departures from KUL, including:
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even explore a different city. When browsing Kuala Lumpur to Colombo flights leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Velana International Airport (MLE)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
KUL is about 48 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour.
After a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
When it comes to Kuala Lumpur International Airport's on-time performance, 58.65% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
You can get to SZB from central Kuala Lumpur in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 16 kilometres or so.
You're off on holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport the day before your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport has an on-time performance of 67.97%. This figure shows how frequently flights that depart from this airport land at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is approximately 13 kilometres. It takes around 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. Reserve one of these accommodation options near CMB instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is about 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 40 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride two weeks before your arrival at CMB can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Kuala Lumpur in high season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Lumpur during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Book your Kuala Lumpur to Colombo ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Look for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Colombo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Colombo right here. Explore these hotels once you've booked your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo:
Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are just the start of the big attractions to add to your Colombo itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many places in Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Colombo. Around 18 kilometres to the south, top sights here include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, Jaffna is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
