Flying from Seoul to Colombo: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Seoul. Check out your options departing from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP) when planning your flight from Seoul to Colombo.
Come in for landing at Colombo's primary gateway, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Take a direct Seoul to Colombo flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 8 hours 25 minutes.
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, which makes Colombo three hours 30 minutes behind Seoul.
With two weekly flights between the two airports, Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Seoul to Colombo with SriLankan Airlines at 11:35. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the last departure from ICN to CMB is with SriLankan Airlines at 12:15.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your Seoul to Colombo flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling over a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seoul to Colombo
To score cheap Seoul to Colombo flights, book your trip six months ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Seoul to Colombo is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Seoul to Colombo.
Find an affordable Seoul to Colombo flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Set out from Incheon International Airport (ICN) on a nonstop flight from Seoul to Colombo. From ICN, you can fly directly to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
SriLankan Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct Seoul to Colombo plane tickets from ICN.
We make it simple to book a Seoul to Colombo flight with a stopover. To see all the options departing from Incheon International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
ICN is roughly 48 kilometres from central Seoul. To work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This useful traveller tool will give you the quickest route and available public transport options.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Incheon International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Seoul to Colombo, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Of the flights that depart from Incheon International Airport, 54.5% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Break up your Seoul to Colombo flight with a stop at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). One of the main stopovers between Gimpo International Airport and Colombo, it's a good opportunity to unwind before the next leg of your journey.
The distance from Seoul's city centre to GMP is roughly 16 kilometres. Take into account transport options and possible delays when planning the fastest route to the airport.
You're going on holiday, so why not book an additional night away? Consider staying at one of these hotels near Gimpo International Airport the day before your flight from Seoul to Colombo:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Gimpo International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76%.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near RML if you have a late flight from Seoul to Colombo. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
As soon as your flight from Seoul to Colombo has landed, you can get to the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get the pick of the lot. Securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means better deals and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before locking in your flights from Seoul to Seoul, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Seoul offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the low season means you'll get better hotel deals and smaller crowds.
Lock in a Seoul to Colombo ticket departing in March if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Seoul to Colombo around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Seoul to Colombo:
Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Colombo must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've done Colombo, now it's time to explore more of Sri Lanka. Journey about 18 kilometres south to Moratuwa to tick off its popular sights. From Boat House to Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Jaffna is another standout destination in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometres north of Colombo. No trip is complete without a visit to Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
