Travelling from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) to Colombo: what you need to know
Arturo Merino Benitez Airport is located in Santiago. Following the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is eight hours 30 minutes ahead of Santiago.
To avoid missing your SCL to Colombo flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
Stopovers offer the perfect opportunity to explore a new place or just take a break during your journey. When looking for a plane ticket from SCL to Colombo, deselect 'Direct flights only' to compare all potential stops. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) is a popular stop on this route.
The journey from central Santiago to SCL takes about 1 hour 15 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 13 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to SCL:
82.58% of flights leaving Arturo Merino Benitez Airport touch down at their destination according to schedule. Given its strong on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when jetting out of SCL.
How to find the cheapest flights from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) to Colombo
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo flight is ر.ق. 3,082. The cheapest price for a return flight is ر.ق. 6,473. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to land cheap flights from SCL to Colombo if you book in advance. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo across the month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.
You don't need to keep looking every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from SCL to Colombo.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kilometres. It'll take you about 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It'll take around 1 hour 15 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Following your SCL to Colombo flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel near CMB. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the rates and availability from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Snap up the best price by securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a bigger selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before locking in your flights from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the off-season brings better hotel deals and smaller crowds.
Book an Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo plane ticket with a departure in March to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SCL to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 32ºC.
More about Colombo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Colombo:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are top sights which should feature on any good Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Jaffna is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Colombo. Around 306 kilometres away to the north, check out popular attractions including Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo, Trincomalee is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. Start your sightseeing at Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
