Flying from Moscow to Colombo: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when organising your flight from Moscow to Colombo. Check out your options for departing Moscow from Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), Vnukovo Airport (VKO) and Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME).
Hop off the plane at Colombo's primary gateway, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
The average length of a direct Moscow to Colombo flight is 8 hours 35 minutes.
Colombo is two hours 30 minutes ahead of Moscow and follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
To ensure you catch your Moscow to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Travelling during a peak month like August? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Moscow to Colombo
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap Moscow to Colombo flight. Fares 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 shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Moscow to Colombo across each month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Moscow to Colombo.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Moscow to Colombo flights.
Vnukovo Airport (VKO)
Depending on road traffic, you can drive to VKO from Moscow's centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes. The airport is roughly 29 kilometres away.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Moscow to Colombo? Unwind in a hotel near Vnukovo Airport before your holiday officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Vnukovo Airport has an on-time performance rate of 65%. This figure provides insight into how frequently flights departing from this airport land at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is approximately 13 kilometres. It'll take you around 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to RML if you're coming in on a late flight from Moscow to Colombo. Choose one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Moscow to Colombo has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you hop on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Snap up a deal by booking your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before locking in your flights from Moscow to Moscow, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Moscow offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while low season brings cheaper deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
Lock in a Moscow to Colombo ticket departing in March if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Search for cheap flights from Moscow to Colombo around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Moscow to Colombo, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are highlights which should be on any good Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've visited Colombo, now it's time to explore more of Sri Lanka. Journey around 18 kilometres south to Moratuwa to tick off its leading attractions. From Boat House to Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, Jaffna is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. Start your sightseeing at Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
