Travelling from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Colombo: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo and you'll be travelling for around 10 hours 10 minutes.
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is located in Sydney. Following the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is five hours 30 minutes behind Sydney.
The most popular route is from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). There are four services every week between these two airports. SriLankan Airlines offers a 16:10 departure between SYD and CMB.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your SYD to Colombo flight.
Heading off during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
You can book a direct Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo ticket. Start your trip at SYD and end it at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
SriLankan Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for flight tickets from SYD to Colombo, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Located around 8 kilometres from central Sydney, SYD can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). Travelling on public transport will take roughly 25 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your holiday? Stay near SYD. Whether you have an early flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels have you covered:
69.62% of flights that take off from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Colombo
₹ 17,494 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo flight. A round-trip ticket right now is ₹ 36,588. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Book one month before your departure date. Research on pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SYD to Colombo.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for landing a bargain on Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest price across every month.
You don't need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from SYD to Colombo.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from central Colombo. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo. Book one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo has landed, you can get to the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
After stepping off your SYD to Colombo flight, kick back at a hotel close to CMB. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and make a speedy getaway.
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before you book your flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Colombo offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the low season means you'll get better hotel deals and smaller crowds.
Before booking a Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo flight ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from SYD to Colombo in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Colombo, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are top sights which should be on every 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 taken in the sights of Colombo. Around 306 kilometres away to the north, popular attractions include Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Trincomalee is another well-known destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No trip is complete without experiencing Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.