Flying from Shanghai to Colombo: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Shanghai. Check out your options leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) when planning your flight from Shanghai to Colombo.
Disembark at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the primary hub in Colombo.
The average length of a direct flight from Shanghai to Colombo is 7 hours 12 minutes. Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, making Colombo 2 hours 30 minutes behind Shanghai.
The most popular route for flights from Shanghai to Colombo is from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You can select from 16 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to head off first thing, the earliest flight from PVG to CMB is the 00:20 SriLankan Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 14:25 with China Eastern Airlines.
Leave enough time to make your flight from Shanghai to Colombo. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
To visit Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, you will require an e-visa if you have a passport from China. However, visa rules can change and you may need additional documents depending on the length and purpose of your visit. Always check the most up-to-date guidelines before you book your cheap flight from Shanghai to Colombo.
Flying from Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
You can book a nonstop flight from Shanghai to Colombo jetting off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Begin your trip at PVG and land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
China Eastern Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Shanghai to Colombo leaving from PVG.
We make it a breeze to book a flight from Shanghai to Colombo that includes a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
PVG is around 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 49 minutes or so to arrive, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Shanghai to Colombo? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Shanghai to Colombo. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your list. Whatever you want to do, here's where you can stop between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Colombo:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
SHA is around 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. It takes 21 minutes or so to reach the airport driving from the city centre.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Shanghai to Colombo, chill out in one of these hotels near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to the centre of Colombo is about 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to RML if you're taking a late flight from Shanghai to Colombo. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is located around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Once your flight from Shanghai to Colombo has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 39 minutes.
You can also travel using public transport, which will take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes.
There are some cosy stays ready to welcome you near CMB. Unwind after your flight from Shanghai to Colombo at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Colombo
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Colombo is R 2,549. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 6,013. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
Book 11 months before you travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Shanghai to Colombo.
Schedule your trip for July. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Shanghai to Colombo. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Locking in a cheap ticket from Shanghai to Colombo is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as there's a better deal.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Shanghai to Colombo, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from Shanghai to Colombo. The city buzzes during peak season, but hotel prices are generally higher and top attractions can get busy. Go to Colombo in low season if you want a quieter vibe.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your flights from Shanghai to Colombo in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
If you want cooler conditions, book a cheap ticket from Shanghai to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 32ºC.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to Colombo, check out our range of hotels including:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are essential stops on your Colombo itinerary.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Shanghai to Colombo to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Colombo, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.