Travelling from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to Colombo: what you need to know
Ninoy Aquino International Airport is located in Manila. Following the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is two hours 30 minutes behind Manila.
Leave enough time to get on your MNL to Colombo flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at check-in and security will be longer.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for plane tickets from MNL to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
The journey from central Manila to MNL takes around 1 hour 15 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Searching for a hotel near MNL? If you're boarding an early flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo, these stays set you up for a seamless send-off:
70.07% of flights taking off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to Colombo
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo flight is 131 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 283 €. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from MNL to Colombo, book as early as possible. Airlines generally offer lower prices when flights are first released.
If you have flexibility with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll find the lowest price across each month when searching for your Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo ticket.
Picking up a cheap flight from MNL to Colombo is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Snag an affordable flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kilometres. It takes around 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Look into staying at a hotel near RML if you're coming in on a late flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo. Settle into one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about rest:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 32 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. Once you've disembarked your flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo, it'll take you around 40 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near CMB. Unwind and get cosy after your MNL to Colombo flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make collecting a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car simple. These trusted companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get the lowest price by reserving your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before booking your flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while low season brings cheaper hotel rates and smaller crowds.
Book a Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo plane ticket with a departure in March if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from MNL to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Colombo, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are major attractions which should be on any good Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka waiting to be explored. About 306 kilometres north of Colombo, a visit to Jaffna will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with 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, roughly 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are highlights.