Flying from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo is five hours 30 minutes ahead of Lisbon, where Lisbon Portela Airport is located. Colombo follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your LIS to Colombo flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow a little extra breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even tick off a new city. When searching for flight tickets from LIS to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Travelling from central Lisbon to LIS takes about 1 hour by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Searching for a hotel near LIS? If you're catching an early flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo, these accommodation options set you up for a seamless send-off:
64.1% of flights that leave from Lisbon Portela Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) to Colombo
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo flight is $604. The cheapest price for a return flight is $1,466. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from LIS to Colombo if you book in advance. Airlines often have some excellent early bird discounts.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo across the month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your dates aren't set in stone.
Save time looking for cheap flights from LIS to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo.
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 get to the centre driving.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo has arrived, 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).
The journey will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Following your LIS to Colombo flight, settle in at a hotel close to CMB. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car simple. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means more savings and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before you book your flights from Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while low season brings cheaper hotel deals and fewer crowds.
Before locking in your Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo flight ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from LIS 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
Start your Colombo trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Colombo, browse our range of hotels including:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are essential stops on your Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Sri Lanka just waiting to be explored. Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, a visit to Jaffna will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading sights like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Trincomalee is another sought-after destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No journey is complete without seeing Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.