Travelling from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): What you need to know
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Colombo's main airport. Explore your options for booking a flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) taking off from here.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul. The city is in the UTC+3 timezone and is two hours 30 minutes behind Colombo.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from Colombo to IST.
Peak travel periods mean busier airports, so be there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for international journeys to stay on schedule.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
RML is about 16 kilometres from central Colombo. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 40 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to Colombo Ratmalana Airport:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
You can book a direct Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) plane ticket out of Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Work out whether leaving from CMB works best for your plans.
From CMB, direct flights from Colombo to IST can be booked with Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines is the top choice for passengers flying from CMB to IST.
Experience more along the way with a stopover on your flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Check out these connections between Bandaranaike International Airport and IST:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
You can reach CMB from the centre of Colombo in about 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 32 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday sooner with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Colombo to IST flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Bandaranaike International Airport:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Bandaranaike International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 75.71%.
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.
Booking your ride around two weeks ahead of your Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight can help you lock in a great deal.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Central Istanbul is about 32 kilometres from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary based on traffic conditions, so do a little research before your trip.
Travelling by public transport takes around 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 211 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 399 €. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
To snag cheap flights from Colombo to IST, book your ticket seven months ahead of your planned departure.
December is when you're most likely to land a good deal on a Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport ticket. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Colombo to IST is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when prices go down.
Filters make it easier to track down a bargain for your flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Pick the departure times, carriers and stops that match your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the lowest price right away.
The best time to fly from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
February is the quietest month for flights from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), while August is the busiest. Find the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your Colombo to IST plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Search for cheap tickets from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, check out our range of hotels including:
Your Istanbul visit wouldn't be complete without a bit of sightseeing. Attractions you can't miss include Hagia Sophia History Museum, Hagia Sophia Museum and Historic Areas of Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've done Istanbul, now it's time to discover more of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel about 225 kilometres south-east to Eskisehir to check off its leading attractions. From Eskişehir to Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri, your itinerary will be busy.
If you're eager to discover another side of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Adapazarı, roughly 153 kilometres east of Istanbul. Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami are key reasons to visit.
