How to find cheap flights to Sri Lanka
Score a better price on a flight to Sri Lanka by taking off from Christchurch, often the most budget-friendly departure option.
Consider flying into Colombo Bandaranayake to get even more value from your fare.
August is generally the cheapest time to visit Sri Lanka.
For a return ticket, the lowest price right now is $1,128. One-way fares are available from $519.
Not fussed where you land? Add where you're departing from, then enter 'Sri Lanka' in the 'To' field. This will give you a list of destinations and the option to sort them by 'Cheapest flights.'
If you've already settled on a destination city, select 'Add nearby airports.' This lets you compare fares across any nearby airports and potentially lower your costs.
Have the best deals come straight to you by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or a notification on the app when prices drop.
Book your tickets around 11 months ahead. That's the general recommendation for scoring the biggest bargains.
The best time to go to Sri Lanka
If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll help you find the cheapest days or months to fly.
Organise your trip for January if you want to go when it's busy. This is the most popular month for flights, but also when fares are usually more expensive.
Travel in December if you're looking for a more relaxed experience. This is the least busy time of year and also when plane tickets to Sri Lanka are often cheaper.
Weather can have a real impact on your trip, so travel when the forecast suits your plans. Average highs reach 32ºC in March, making it one of the warmest months in Sri Lanka.
Temperatures are often coolest around February, with average lows sitting at 19ºC.
November is typically the wettest time of year, while February is the driest.
When deciding on your dates, also factor in monsoon season and periods of cyclone activity. Weather risks can vary by region, so it's worth checking what applies to the areas you're visiting.
Getting to Sri Lanka
You've got a solid choice of arrival airports when you book flights to Sri Lanka, including the following:
Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo
Jaffna International Airport (JAF) in Jaffna
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) in Hambantota
The airlines flying in most frequently, along with rough monthly flight counts, are:
SriLankan Airlines — 1,300
IndiGo — 290
Servant Air, Inc. — 160
Dubai, Istanbul and London are among the major hubs used as stopovers on flights to Sri Lanka. Stops vary by route, so check the connection details for your departure city.
Places to visit in Sri Lanka
Colombo
With a population of roughly 650,000 and located in Western Province, this city headlines the list of must-visit places.
Well-known stops include Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Galle Face Green and Gangaramaya Temple.
Flying into Colombo usually means coming through Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You’ll find some excellent flight deals to Sri Lanka through this airport.
Browse the range of hotels in Colombo and round out your trip with a stay that fits your budget and style.
Jaffna
This Northern Province city of around 170,000 comes with plenty of its own appeal.
The biggest highlights include Nallur Sivan Kovil, Nallur Kovil and Jaffna Public Library.
Fly in through Jaffna International Airport (JAF) and go straight from arrivals to discovering the sights.
The same magic behind our flight search can also help you find the best room rates online. Use it to compare prices and availability across hotels in Jaffna.
Hambantota
Set in Southern Province, this city sits comfortably among the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Major attractions to experience while you're here include Red Sand Beach, Birds Research Centre & Resort and Martello Tower.
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) is the city's main airport, with routes linking it to major destinations across the region and beyond.
From mini breaks to longer stays, hotels in Hambantota cover a wide range of budgets and travel styles.
Good to know
Make sure you know the entry rules before you go. Rules can change depending on your passport, length of stay and reason for travel. Always check with official sources like your airline, the local embassy or your travel agent.
The main currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).
ATMs (automatic teller machines) are commonly found in cities of every size, from smaller locations to major hubs.
In Sri Lanka, tipping is expected rather than optional. How much you leave generally reflects the service you receive.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the capital of Sri Lanka, which has a population of roughly 22 million.
You won't have to adjust your watch while travelling around this destination, with only one standard time zone of UTC+5 inches place.
Sri Lanka is located in Asia within the Southern Asia subregion.
Some of the headline events on the calendar include Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Vesak religious and cultural festival and Independence Day. Line up your flight to Sri Lanka around moments like these to experience something beyond the ordinary.
Complete your trip with hotels and a car hire
A cheap ticket to Sri Lanka will get you there. What comes next is planning the stay. Discover the best prices and exclusive rates for hotels in Sri Lanka. For the freedom to explore at your own pace, also browse the range of car hire options in Sri Lanka.
