Flying from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of Amsterdam, where Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport is located. Colombo operates on the UTC+5:30 timezone.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from AMS to Colombo.
You can expect longer queues in popular months such as June and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from AMS to Colombo. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Take a pause at one of these airports:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
If you hold a passport from Netherlands, you will need an e-visa to visit Sri Lanka. This applies when booking a cheap ticket from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you book and certainly before flying.
Located around 23 kilometres from the centre of Amsterdam, AMS can be reached in about 23 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 3 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these hotels close to AMS:
How to find the cheapest flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Colombo
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo is R 4,830. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 11,457. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To find cheap tickets from AMS to Colombo, book as early as you can. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first made available.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll find the lowest price across every month when searching for your ticket from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll get notified straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from AMS to Colombo every day.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is about 39 minutes.
Getting there on public transport takes around 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo. Book one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The centre of Colombo is around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 39 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to drop your things at near CMB. Unwind and get cosy after your flight from AMS to Colombo at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo in high season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, schedule your flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Book your flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport to Colombo in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Search for cheap flights from AMS to Colombo around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Colombo right here. Explore these hotels after you've booked your flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-do's during your Colombo adventure.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Colombo to track down incredible deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need on car rentals in Colombo, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.