Flying from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Colombo: what you need to know
Auckland Airport is located in Auckland. Based in the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is seven hours 30 minutes behind Auckland.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your AKL to Colombo flight.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from AKL to Colombo with a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
The journey from central Auckland to AKL takes about 1 hour 25 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to AKL:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Auckland Airport, 69.31% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Colombo
318 € is currently the best price for a one-way Auckland Airport to Colombo flight. A return plane ticket starts at 760 €. 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)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.
Travelling on public transport takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Book a hotel close to RML if you have a late flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo. Settle into one of these accommodation options and make arrival day easier:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo has arrived, you can get to the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
The trip will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your AKL to Colombo flight:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and be off and running.
Lock in the best price by securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider selection 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 (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
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 (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Colombo right here. Explore these options after you've booked your flight from Auckland Airport to Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just the start of the top attractions to add to your Colombo itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Viharamahadevi Park.
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.