Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): What you need to know
Kuala Lumpur is home to a couple of airports that set the stage for your next getaway. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
Take a direct Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 3 hours 30 minutes.
Bandaranaike International Airport is located in Colombo. The city follows the UTC+5:30 timezone and is two hours 30 minutes behind Kuala Lumpur.
With 36 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the busiest route. SriLankan Airlines operates the earliest flight at 8:10am. If you'd like to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest flight from KUL to CMB is with Malaysia Airlines at 10:35pm.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Kuala Lumpur to CMB.
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 an international journey to stay on schedule.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) depart from this terminal.
You'll have your pick of carriers operating direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport departing from KUL. Book your ticket with one of these:
The airline most travellers choose when flying between KUL and CMB is SriLankan Airlines.
Among carriers operating on this route, Malaysia Airlines has the highest percentage of on-time landings.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to CMB leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Velana International Airport (MLE)
Travelling from central Kuala Lumpur to KUL takes around 1 hour on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 64 kilometres in 1 hour 5 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Of all flights leaving Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 58.65% touch down on time at their destination.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
You can arrive at SZB from central Kuala Lumpur in approximately 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 24 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Kuala Lumpur to CMB flight, stay in one of these hotels near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport has an on-time performance of 67.97%. This figure shows how frequently flights that leave from this airport arrive on time.
About Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these options near CMB:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and experience the lesser-explored corners of Colombo and beyond.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport flight.
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport to the centre of Colombo is around 27 kilometres. If you're taking a cab or renting a car, plan in advance to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times vary based on traffic conditions and the time of day.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Currently, 53 € is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is 149 €. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To snap up cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to CMB, book your plane ticket 11 months before your planned departure.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring an incredible deal on Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Kuala Lumpur to CMB is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport.
The best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
August is the busiest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Visit Colombo in April if you'd rather avoid peak season.
Book a Kuala Lumpur to CMB plane ticket departing in March if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January sees temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Mt Lavinia Beach, Elephant House and Sri Gangaramaya are must-do's during your Colombo adventure.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've done Colombo, now it's time to discover more of Sri Lanka. Journey about 209 kilometres north-east to Trincomalee to tick off its must-visit sights. From Nilaveli Beach to Sea View Point and Uppuveli, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
If you're eager to discover another major destination in Sri Lanka, head for Kalmunai, about 209 kilometres east of Colombo. Jamia Jummah Masjid (Kalmunai Town Red Mosque), Green Field Aasath Park and Iyanar Kovil are key highlights.