Flying from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is seven hours 30 minutes behind Auckland, where Auckland Airport is located.
Leave enough time to get on your AKL to Colombo flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, it's wise to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for plane tickets from AKL to Colombo, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
AKL is around 18 kilometres from central Auckland. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Want an easy start to your travels? Stay near AKL. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels are worth a look:
69.31% of flights that take off from Auckland Airport arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Colombo
$604 is currently the best price for a one-way Auckland Airport to Colombo flight. A return plane ticket starts at $1,247. These prices can change based on availability.
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap flight from AKL to Colombo. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely pay.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Auckland Airport to Colombo across the month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Save time searching for cheap flights from AKL to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo by 'Best,' 'Fastest' 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 around 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It'll take around 1 hour 15 minutes to get there by public transport.
Book a hotel close to RML if you have a late flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to CMB. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your AKL to Colombo flight:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Lock in the best price by booking your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Colombo during high season if you like a bustling atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Auckland Airport to Colombo in the low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Lock in an Auckland Airport to Colombo plane ticket with a departure in March if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from AKL to Colombo in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are top attractions which should feature on every Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka just waiting to be explored. About 306 kilometres north of Colombo, a visit to Jaffna will keep your itinerary packed. Don't miss top attractions like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
If you want to check out another side of Sri Lanka, consider Trincomalee, about 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are among the biggest draws.