Travelling from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is five hours behind Adelaide, where Adelaide Airport is located.
To avoid rushing for your ADL to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially land a cheaper plane ticket from ADL to Colombo. All you need to do is uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Travelling from central Adelaide to ADL takes about 50 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 4 miles in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want an easy start to your trip? Stay near ADL. Whether you've booked an early flight from Adelaide Airport to Colombo or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are worth a look:
Of the departures from Adelaide Airport, 75.6% arrive on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Colombo
The best price we've seen for a one-way Adelaide Airport to Colombo flight is £183. The cheapest price for a return flight is £397. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to land cheap flights from ADL to Colombo if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird discounts.
Finding cheap tickets from Adelaide Airport to Colombo is easier if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' function to access the best prices across each month and land an epic deal.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from ADL to Colombo.
Snag an affordable flight from Adelaide Airport to Colombo with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 10 miles away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near RML if you have a late flight from Adelaide Airport to Colombo. Pick one of these accommodation options and make arrival day easier:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is around 20 miles from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Adelaide Airport to Colombo has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 40 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near CMB. Unwind and get cosy after your ADL to Colombo flight at any of these well-located options:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and make a speedy getaway.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo during high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Adelaide Airport to Colombo during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
Before booking an Adelaide Airport to Colombo plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from ADL to Colombo in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Adelaide Airport to Colombo, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are leading attractions which should feature on any good Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Sri Lanka waiting to be explored. About 190 miles north of Colombo, a trip to Jaffna will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Around 150 miles north-east of Colombo, Trincomalee is another favourite stop in Sri Lanka. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
