Travelling from Vancouver to Colombo: what you need to know
You can choose from multiple airports when planning your flight from Vancouver to Colombo. Check out your options for flying out of Vancouver from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH) and Abbotsford Airport (YXX).
Disembark at Colombo's major arrival point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, making Colombo 12 hours 30 minutes ahead of Vancouver.
Leave plenty of time to make your Vancouver 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 August? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Colombo
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap Vancouver to Colombo flights if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird discounts.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Vancouver to Colombo across the entire month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your dates aren't set in stone.
Finding a cheap flight from Vancouver to Colombo is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Save on your Vancouver 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 Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Located around 11 kilometres from the centre of Vancouver, YVR can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 35 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Vancouver International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Vancouver to Colombo or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are ideal:
71.77% of flights taking off from Vancouver International Airport land at their destination on time.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
The journey time to YXX from the centre of Vancouver is around 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you roughly 1 hour to cover the 64 kilometres or so.
Stay in bed a little longer and still make your Vancouver to Colombo flight with plenty of time to spare. These hotels near Abbotsford Airport make it a breeze to get to the terminal if you're flying out early:
The on-time performance rating of YXX is 67.97%. In other words, that's how frequently flights that depart this airport reach their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is approximately 13 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 40 minutes.
It usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near RML if you have a late flight from Vancouver to Colombo. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Vancouver to Colombo has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Travelling by public transport will take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make collecting a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car easy and quick. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Get the lowest price by reserving your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your travel dates before securing your flight from Vancouver to Vancouver. The city comes alive in high season, but hotel rates are generally higher and major attractions can be crowded. Go to Vancouver in the off-season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
Before locking in your Vancouver to Colombo tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Vancouver to Colombo around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Vancouver to Colombo, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Colombo:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are essential stops on your Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored after you've seen Colombo. Around 18 kilometres to the south, check out popular attractions including Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
If you're eager to discover another side of Sri Lanka, consider Jaffna, about 306 kilometres north of Colombo. Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library are among the biggest draws.