Travelling from Chicago to Colombo: what you need to know
Chicago is home to two main airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Chicago to Colombo leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Hop off the plane at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the major arrival point in Colombo.
Colombo is ten hours 30 minutes ahead of Chicago and is in the UTC+5:30 timezone.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your Chicago to Colombo flight.
You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Colombo
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Chicago to Colombo flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird deals.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across the month when looking for your plane ticket from Chicago to Colombo.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Or sort your Chicago to Colombo flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Chicago to Colombo flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O'Hare International Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
ORD is about 26 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 55 minutes.
After an easy start to your holiday? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Colombo or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
74.85% of flights leaving from O'Hare International Airport reach their destination on time.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
MDW is about 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take you 20 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Start your holiday sooner with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Colombo, kick back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance of 78%. This figure gives an insight into how often flights that take off from this airport make it to their destination on time.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is approximately 13 kilometres from central Colombo. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 40 minutes.
It usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Chicago to Colombo has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and make a speedy getaway.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Reserving your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before locking in your flights from Chicago to Chicago, think about which time of year is best for you. High season in Chicago offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while low season means you'll get cheaper hotel rates and smaller crowds.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your Chicago to Colombo ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap flights from Chicago 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 Chicago to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are essential stops on your Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Sri Lanka just waiting to be explored. Around 18 kilometres south of Colombo, a visit to Moratuwa will keep you busy. Start with popular sights like Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Jaffna is another sought-after destination in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometres north of Colombo. No journey is complete without dropping by Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
