Flying from Montreal to Colombo: what you need to know
Planning your holiday begins with working out where you'll fly out of in Montreal. Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the city's main airport, so explore your options for reserving a flight from Montreal to Colombo departing from here.
Hop off the plane at Colombo's major arrival point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Colombo is nine hours 30 minutes ahead of Montreal and follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
To ensure you board your Montreal to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Montreal to Colombo
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap Montreal to Colombo flights if you book early. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird discounts.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Montreal to Colombo is easier if you're flexible with your trip dates. Use the 'Whole month' function to see the lowest fares across the month and bag an incredible deal.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Montreal to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Montreal to Colombo flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Montreal
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
YUL is about 16 kilometres from central Montreal. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Montreal to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport:
Of all flights departing from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, 64.89% land on schedule at their destination.
YUL is located at 975 Romeo Vachon Street North.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 13 kilometres. It'll take you about 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Montreal to Colombo. Book one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is around 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Montreal to Colombo has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 40 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car quick and easy. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride two weeks before your arrival at CMB will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Montreal during high season if you want a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices may be higher. Alternatively, book flights from Montreal to Montreal in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
When booking your Montreal to Colombo tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Montreal to Colombo in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Montreal 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 explore in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many places in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've seen Colombo. Around 18 kilometres to the south, popular attractions include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Jaffna is another essential stop in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometres north of Colombo. No trip is complete without visiting Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.