Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo is 12 hours 30 minutes ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located. Colombo runs on the UTC+5:30 timezone.
To avoid rushing for your SFO to Colombo flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time such as August? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially land a cheaper plane ticket from SFO to Colombo. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these airports:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Located around 18 kilometres from central San Francisco, SFO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near SFO. Whether you're catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Colombo or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are all about convenience:
77.36% of flights leaving from San Francisco International Airport reach their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Colombo
The best price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Colombo flight is ₹ 53,983. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 96,740. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from SFO to Colombo if you book early. Airlines often have some excellent early bird discounts.
If you have flexibility with your trip dates, take advantage of the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when searching for a San Francisco International Airport to Colombo ticket.
There's no need to check in daily to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an updated deal for cheap flights from SFO to Colombo.
Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Colombo by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to the centre of Colombo takes about 40 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes if you're using public transport.
Look into staying at a hotel near RML if you have a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Colombo. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The centre of Colombo is around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Colombo has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 40 minutes.
The trip will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some comfortable places ready to welcome you near CMB. Unwind and get cosy after your SFO to Colombo flight at one of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare offers from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Booking your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Travel to Colombo during high season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, book flights from San Francisco International Airport to Colombo in the low season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your San Francisco International Airport to Colombo flight ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to Colombo in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Explore these options after locking in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just a couple of the top attractions to put on your Colombo must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've seen Colombo, now it's time to discover more of Sri Lanka. Travel around 306 kilometres north to Jaffna to check off its top attractions. From Jaffna Fort to Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library, your itinerary will be busy.
Trincomalee is another favourite destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No journey is complete without experiencing Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
