Travelling from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo is three hours 30 minutes ahead of Tel Aviv, where Ben Gurion International Airport is located. Colombo runs on the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your TLV to Colombo flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
The journey from central Tel Aviv to TLV takes about 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to TLV:
Of all flights departing from Ben Gurion International Airport, 72.9% arrive on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) to Colombo
$837 is currently the best price for a one-way Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo flight. Return plane tickets start from $1,132. These prices can change depending on availability and demand.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from TLV to Colombo if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
Scoring cheap tickets from Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo is easier if you're flexible with your trip dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to get the lowest prices throughout the month and pick up a sweet deal.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from TLV to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to the centre of Colombo takes around 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near RML if you're coming in on a late flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo. Select one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about rest:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is located around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 40 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to CMB. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your TLV to Colombo flight:
Forget about public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the availability and rates from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Booking your ride two weeks ahead of your arrival at CMB will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before locking in your flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while low season brings cheaper hotel deals and smaller crowds.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Search for a cheap ticket from TLV to Colombo around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just the start of the major attractions to add to your Colombo must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've visited Colombo, now it's time to explore more of Sri Lanka. Journey about 306 kilometres north to Jaffna to check off its leading attractions. From Jaffna Fort to Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
If you want to check out another great destination in Sri Lanka, consider Trincomalee, about 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are among the biggest draws.