Flight Routes from London to Colombo

Compare cheap outbound and return flights from London (LON) to Colombo (CMB) and find the best offer from numerous airlines and travel agencies.

Trip type
Cheapest roundtrip flight
from€549
Fastest outbound flight
Fastest inbound flight
non-stop flights
23x / week
Flight distance
8,705 km
Time difference
Airports in London
  1. Heathrow
  2. Gatwick
  3. Stansted
  4. Luton
  5. City
  6. Southend
Most popular airlines
  1. SriLankan AirlinesSriLankan Airlines
  2. British AirwaysBritish Airways

Flight schedule from London (LON) to Colombo (CMB)

Select a travel date in the flight schedule for the route from London (LON) to Colombo (CMB) and compare affordable flight deals.

offers
Active filtersnone
Matching outbound flights15 of 15
fromto
dep.arr.
durationstopovers
  1. 7 – 13 September 2026
  2. 14 – 20 September 2026
  3. 21 – 27 September 2026
    1. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. British Airways
      2. Turkish Airlines
    2. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Emirates Airline
    3. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Kuwait Airways
    4. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Emirates Airline
    5. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Kuwait Airways
    6. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Emirates Airline
    7. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Emirates Airline
    8. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Air India
    9. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Air India
    10. LHRCMB
      non-stop
      1. SriLankan Airlines
    11. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Etihad Airways
    12. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Etihad Airways
    13. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Air India
    14. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Etihad Airways
    15. LHRCMB
      1 stopover
      1. Emirates Airline

      Tips and tricks to help you find cheap flights from London to Colombo

      Favourite airline: Etihad Airways
      41 % of flights on the route London – Colombo are booked with Etihad Airways.
      Etihad Airways
      41 %
      Emirates
      17 %
      Qatar Airways
      15 %
      Favourite connection: via Abu Dhabi
      Flights with a stopover in Abu Dhabi are the most popular connection for this route.
      Route
      bookings
      1 stopover Abu Dhabi
      13h 10min, from 665 £
      51 %
      1 stopover Doha
      15h 05min, from 691 £
      19 %
      1 stopover Dubai
      21h 10min, from 1.181 £
      14 %

      Useful information about the flight from London to Colombo

      Colourful and Vibrant

      Colombo Colombo, Sri Lanka's colourful and vibrant capital, attracts travellers with its striking contrasts of cosmopolitan flair and colonial heritage. A port city near the Indian Ocean, the bustling metropolis offers visitors an eclectic cultural diversity, as well as being the gateway to traditional and modern Sri Lanka.


      Best time for climate and festivals

      Sri Lanka's tropical year-round climate makes it an exceptional tourist destination. From January to March, visitors experience lower temperatures with less rain. The country's rainy seasons are from October to January and May till July. Many festivals occur throughout the year in Colombo. During July/ August, thousands of visitors come to the Esala Perahera Buddhist festival at the "Sri Dalada Maligawa" temple in Kandy during the full moon. The "Temple of the Tooth" houses the revered relic of Buddha's tooth. Ever year, an elephant parade and procession transports a replica of the structure around Kandy.   


      Planning your trip to Colombo - visas and vaccinations

      British passport holders need a visa for a Sri Lankan visit. Passports must be valid at least six months from date of arrival. The recommended vaccines are Hepatitis A, typhus, tetanus, rabies and diphtheria. 

      Be sensitive and respectful of Sri Lankan customs, especially around temples and statues of Buddha. Never turn your back on Buddha statues (even when taking pictures). Prices in Sri Lanka are much lower than in Britain. Streetfood snacks costs start at about 100 LKR while lunch is priced from around 300 LKR and an evening meal in restaurants costs about 750 LKR. Local beer costs about 200 LKR.


      Getting to the city centre and around 

      To travel from the airport to Colombo, the Intercity Bus 187 takes passengers to the main station. The journey on the motorway takes about 40-60 minutes, depending on traffic and costs about 110 LKR. The main station has connections to other destinations such as Kandy. During the low season, hostel accommodation costs about 1000 LKR per person in shared dormitories. More luxurious rooms start around 5000 LKR. Public buses are cheaper than taxis or tuk-tuks, but tuk-tuks are probably the most practical public transport method. Metered tuk-tuks are the best option with a starting price of about LKR50, 4-5km costs around LKR200; 6km around LKR250. Book train tickets to other Sri Lankan cities well in advance.

      Important flight information

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

      How long is the flight from London to Colombo?
      A direct flight from London to Colombo typically takes around 9 hours 55 minutes. If you choose a connecting flight, you should allow more time. Typical one-stop journeys take around 28 hours. For the quickest journey, a direct flight is usually the most comfortable choice.
      Are there direct flights from London to Colombo?
      Yes, there are direct flights from London to Colombo, with an average of around 3 to 4 flights per day, operated by, among others, SriLankan Airlines and British Airways. If you want to travel without a stopover, it is worth filtering specifically for direct flights when searching.
      Which airlines fly from London to Colombo?
      Direct flights from London to Colombo are operated by, among others, SriLankan Airlines and British Airways. There are also connecting flights with one stop, for example with Qatar Airways (via Doha), Air Arabia (via Sharjah) and Emirates (via Dubai). If a short travel time matters to you, a direct flight is usually the most convenient option. Connecting flights often give you more choice of departure times and airlines.
      On which days are there direct flights from London to Colombo?
      Direct flights from London to Colombo operate daily. The schedule may vary by season, so it is worth comparing several travel dates. If your preferred day has no direct service, nearby departure days or short connecting flights may be a good alternative.
      How many flights are there per day from London to Colombo?
      On the route from London to Colombo there are on average around 3 to 4 flights per day. The number of services can vary by day of the week and season. If you are flexible with your dates, it is worth comparing several departure days.
      How many flights per week are there from London to Colombo?
      From London to Colombo there are around 23 to 24 flights per week. This means you usually have suitable connections to choose from on several days and at various times. As well as price, it is worth comparing flight duration, airline and any potential additional charges.
      When does the first flight from London to Colombo depart?
      The earliest direct flight from London to Colombo usually departs at 12:35. The exact departure time may vary by day of the week and airline. Early flights are particularly useful if you want to make the most of your arrival day in Colombo.
      When does the last flight from London to Colombo depart?
      The last direct flight from London to Colombo usually departs at 21:30. Late flights can be convenient if you want to travel after work or in the evening. Do check whether it is a direct flight, as a connecting service could push the arrival time significantly later.
      Which airline is most commonly chosen for flights from London to Colombo?
      For flights from London to Colombo, offers from Air India, SriLankan Airlines and Qatar Airways are chosen most frequently. This reflects which airlines have been particularly popular with users on this route over the past year. Whether an airline suits you also depends on price, flight times, baggage and possible stopovers.
      In which months do idealo users most frequently search for flights from London to Colombo?
      Flights from London to Colombo are most frequently searched for travel in June, August and February. If you are planning to fly in one of these months, it may be worth comparing offers early. Outside the most popular months, you may find more choice or cheaper connections.
      Which departure days are most popular for flights from London to Colombo?
      For flights from London to Colombo, departures on Thursday, Monday and Wednesday are particularly in demand. Demand can be higher on popular travel days, so it is worth checking alternative departure days. You may find more suitable flight times or cheaper offers.
      How long is the typical stay on trips from London to Colombo?
      For trips from London to Colombo, stays of 14, 29 and 30 days are most commonly searched. These trip lengths are particularly popular with idealo users on this route.

      Discover more flights around London and Colombo

      Departure airport Airport London (LCY, LGW, LHR, LTN, STN, SEN) (LON)
      Arrival airport Airport Colombo (CMB)
      Destination country Flights to Sri Lanka
      Departure airport - Destination country London (LCY, LGW, LHR, LTN, STN, SEN) - Sri Lanka
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