Cheap Flights from Colombo to Istanbul from $874

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Flight deals from Colombo to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Colombo to Istanbul Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $995. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Istanbul.$874 per passenger.Departing Fri, 9 Oct, returning Fri, 23 Oct.Return flight with Kuwait Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Kuwait Airways, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Fri, 9 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Kuwait Airways, departs from Istanbul on Fri, 23 Oct, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $874, select.

Istanbul.$924 per passenger.Departing Sat, 6 Mar, returning Sun, 14 Mar.Return flight with Kuwait Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Kuwait Airways, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Sat, 6 Mar, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Kuwait Airways, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 14 Mar, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $924, select.

Istanbul.$927 per passenger.Departing Thu, 18 Feb, returning Wed, 24 Feb.Return flight with Kuwait Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Kuwait Airways, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Thu, 18 Feb, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Kuwait Airways, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 24 Feb, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $927, select.

Istanbul.$934 per passenger.Departing Thu, 23 Jul, returning Sat, 15 Aug.Return flight with IndiGo.Outbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Thu, 23 Jul, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Istanbul on Sat, 15 Aug, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $934, select.

Istanbul.$935 per passenger.Departing Sun, 19 Jul, returning Thu, 30 Jul.Return flight with IndiGo.Outbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Sun, 19 Jul, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 30 Jul, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $935, select.

Istanbul.$939 per passenger.Departing Fri, 11 Sep, returning Wed, 16 Sep.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Fri, 11 Sep, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 16 Sep, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $939, select.

Istanbul.$943 per passenger.Departing Fri, 13 Nov, returning Mon, 16 Nov.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Fri, 13 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 16 Nov, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $943, select.

Istanbul.$944 per passenger.Departing Mon, 30 Nov, returning Wed, 9 Dec.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Mon, 30 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 9 Dec, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $944, select.

Istanbul.$968 per passenger.Departing Fri, 15 Jan, returning Fri, 22 Jan.Return flight with Gulf Air.Outbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Fri, 15 Jan, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Istanbul on Fri, 22 Jan, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $968, select.

Istanbul.$977 per passenger.Departing Tue, 27 Oct, returning Thu, 5 Nov.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Tue, 27 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 5 Nov, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $977, select.

Istanbul.$977 per passenger.Departing Tue, 29 Sep, returning Sun, 4 Oct.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Tue, 29 Sep, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 4 Oct, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $977, select.

Istanbul.$978 per passenger.Departing Tue, 15 Dec, returning Sat, 16 Jan.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Tue, 15 Dec, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Sat, 16 Jan, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $978, select.

Istanbul.$984 per passenger.Departing Tue, 1 Dec, returning Tue, 8 Dec.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Tue, 1 Dec, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 8 Dec, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $984, select.

Istanbul.$995 per passenger.Departing Mon, 17 Aug, returning Fri, 28 Aug.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Mon, 17 Aug, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Fri, 28 Aug, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $995, select.

Istanbul.$1,003 per passenger.Departing Mon, 17 Aug, returning Tue, 1 Sep.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Mon, 17 Aug, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 1 Sep, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,003, select.

Istanbul.$1,009 per passenger.Departing Thu, 18 Mar, returning Thu, 1 Apr.Return flight with Qatar Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Qatar Airways, departs from Colombo Bandaranayake on Thu, 18 Mar, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Qatar Airways, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 1 Apr, arriving in Colombo Bandaranayake.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,009, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Colombo to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Colombo to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in October.

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Direct flights from Colombo to Istanbul

Colombo to Istanbul: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Colombo to Istanbul below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Istanbul.

Istanbul Sabiha

30km from central Istanbul

ClosestCheapest

from $870

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Istanbul

34km from central Istanbul

from $874

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Colombo to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$874
Cheapest month to fly	October
Average flight time	8 hrs, 42 mins
Most popular airline	Turkish Airlines
Average flights per week	28

Finding cheap flights from Colombo to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Colombo to Istanbul?

The best price we found for a return flight from Colombo to Istanbul is $874. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Colombo to Istanbul?

8 hours and 42 minutes is the average flight time from Colombo to Istanbul.

Which airlines fly direct from Colombo to Istanbul?

Turkish Airlines flies direct from Colombo to Istanbul.

How many flights are there a week from Colombo to Istanbul?

As of July 2026, there are 14 flights per week flying from Colombo to Istanbul.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Colombo to Istanbul?

The cheapest month to fly from Colombo to Istanbul is usually October.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Colombo to Istanbul Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Colombo to Istanbul Airport on Friday, 9 October 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Colombo to Istanbul Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 8 hours and 42 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Istanbul?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Istanbul?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Flying from Colombo to Istanbul Airport (IST): What you need to know

Colombo's main base, Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), is where countless incredible trips begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from Colombo to Istanbul Airport (IST).
The average length of a direct Colombo to Istanbul Airport flight is 8 hours 50 minutes.
Istanbul Airport is located in Istanbul. The city is in the UTC+3 timezone and is two hours 30 minutes behind Colombo.
Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the most popular route, with 9 direct services each week. You can travel from CMB to IST on Turkish Airlines's 6:45am flight.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Colombo to IST.
Popular months like February or other peak seasons mean longer queues and potential delays. Stay on schedule by arriving at the airport even earlier. Plan for at least four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.

Airports in Colombo

Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Colombo to Istanbul Airport (IST) take off from this terminal.
Turkish Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Colombo to Istanbul Airport jetting out of CMB.
The preferred choice for passengers flying between CMB and IST is Turkish Airlines.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Colombo to IST. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Slip in a stop (and skip the high fares) by flying through one of these popular options:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH)
- Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH)
The journey from central Colombo to CMB takes around 50 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 40 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Colombo to Istanbul Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and get some bonus sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport:
Of the departures from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, 74% touch down on time at their destination.

About Istanbul Airport (IST)

Consider staying in a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late flight from Colombo to Istanbul Airport. Select one of these options and get some sleep sooner:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Istanbul Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and discover more of Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your ride around two weeks in advance of your Colombo to Istanbul Airport flight can help you lock in a great deal.

Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul

Istanbul Airport is around 40 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes around 45 minutes or so to drive to the city.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes when travelling by public transport.

How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Istanbul Airport (IST)

$503 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Istanbul Airport. A return flight starts from $874. These fares can change based on availability and demand.
To score cheap flights from Colombo to IST, book your plane ticket seven months ahead of your departure date.
Plan your trip for December. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on Colombo to Istanbul Airport tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as a better deal comes up on plane tickets from Colombo to IST.
Chase down a great fare on a flight from Colombo to Istanbul Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'

The best time to fly from Colombo to Istanbul Airport (IST)

November is the quietest month for flights from Colombo to Istanbul Airport (IST), while August is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit Istanbul based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before locking in your Colombo to IST plane ticket, consider what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Colombo to Istanbul Airport in January when temperatures are between 2ºC and 11ºC.

More about Istanbul

Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Colombo to Istanbul Airport, browse our range of hotels including:
There are loads of awesome things to do in Istanbul when you're ready to see the sights. Head straight for Hagia Sophia Museum followed by Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History Museum.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to discover more of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel about 225 kilometres southeast to Eskisehir to tick off its must-visit sights. From Eskişehir to Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri, your itinerary will be busy.
If you're eager to discover another major stop in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Adapazarı, roughly 153 kilometres east of Istanbul. Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami are highlights.