Flying from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Colombo: what you need to know
Bilbao Airport is located in Bilbao. Based in the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Bilbao.
Give yourself enough time to make your BIO to Colombo flight. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Taking off during a peak period like a bank holiday? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey and perhaps even explore another city. When browsing for plane tickets from BIO to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Travelling from central Bilbao to BIO takes around 30 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 5 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near BIO. Whether you're catching an early flight from Bilbao Airport to Colombo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are worth a look:
82.76% of flights departing from Bilbao Airport touch down at their destination on time. Given its strong on-time stats, you're unlikely to face delays when setting off from BIO.
How to find the cheapest flights from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Colombo
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Bilbao Airport to Colombo flight is 250 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 563 €. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from BIO to Colombo. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Bilbao Airport to Colombo throughout the month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from BIO to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Find a cheap flight from Bilbao Airport to Colombo with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from central Colombo. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.
Travelling by public transport takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Bilbao Airport to Colombo. Book one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 32 kilometres from central Colombo. After your flight from Bilbao Airport to Colombo, it'll take you around 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your BIO to Colombo flight:
Forget about public transport schedules or long cab lines. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Call dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo in high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Bilbao Airport to Colombo in the low season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Book a Bilbao Airport to Colombo plane ticket with a departure in March to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from BIO to Colombo in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Bilbao 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:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just two of the major attractions to put on your Colombo itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka waiting to be explored. Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, a visit to Jaffna will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading attractions like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Trincomalee is another standout destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No trip is complete without a visit to Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.