Travelling from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is ten hours 30 minutes ahead of Houston, where George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your IAH to Colombo flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even explore a different city. When browsing for flight tickets from IAH to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 21 kilometres from the centre of Houston, IAH can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
Have an early flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to IAH:
When it comes to the on-time performance of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, data shows 78.42% of flights complete their journey on time.
IAH is located at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
How to find the cheapest flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Colombo
$1,388 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo flight. A round-trip ticket right now is $2,140. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from IAH to Colombo, book ahead. Airlines generally offer lower fares when flights first go on sale.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when searching for a George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo ticket.
You don't need to keep checking in to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from IAH to Colombo.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes around 40 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you have a late flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is located around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Once your flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 40 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your IAH to Colombo flight:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and get going in the blink of an eye.
Get first dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Colombo during the high season if you prefer a busy atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Book your George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo flight ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Search for cheap tickets from IAH 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
After booking your flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are attractions you won't want to skip in Colombo.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka you'll want to see. About 306 kilometres north of Colombo, a trip to Jaffna will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading sights like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
If there's time to check out another corner of Sri Lanka, consider Trincomalee, roughly 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are key highlights.
