Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Kuala Lumpur. Check out your options departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) when searching for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo.
Disembark at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the primary hub in Colombo.
3 hours 28 minutes is the average time for a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. Following the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is 2 hours 30 minutes behind Kuala Lumpur.
The most popular route for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo is from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You can choose from 537 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to get going first thing, the earliest flight from KUL to CMB is the 08:25 AirAsia option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 22:25 with Malaysia Airlines.
Give yourself enough time to make your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a popular month like August? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
If you hold a passport from Malaysia, you will need an e-visa to enter Sri Lanka. This applies when booking a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines ahead of booking and definitely before flying.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
You can book a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Begin your journey at KUL and land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
At KUL, you'll find a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, including:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular options:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Velana International Airport (MLE)
Located around 64 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur, KUL can be reached in about 1 hour and 3 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey on public transport will take roughly 4 hours and 29 minutes.
Have an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these hotels close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your bucket list. Whatever you choose to do, check out these stops between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Colombo:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Velana International Airport (MLE)
SZB is around 24 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. It'll take you 27 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, kick back in one of these hotels near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport:
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to the centre of Colombo takes about 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 16 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in around 39 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
You can also travel by public transport, which will take about 1 hour and 31 minutes.
After your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, settle in at a hotel near CMB. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo
At the moment, R 1,552 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 4,049. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, book your journey 8 months ahead of your departure.
The cheapest month for tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo is April. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Finding a cheap ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo during high season if you want a vibrant atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, schedule your flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo in the off-season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Schedule your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo for March if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Explore these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-visits when exploring Colombo.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in Colombo, from the most popular car rental to the best time to book.