Flying from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Madrid, where Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport is located.
To avoid missing your MAD to Colombo flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying over a peak time like July? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for plane tickets from MAD to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 13 kms (8 miles) from central Madrid, MAD can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near MAD:
78.23% of flights that leave from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Colombo
£232 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo flight. A return plane ticket right now is £334. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from MAD to Colombo. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
Landing cheap tickets from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to access the best prices across every month and snap up a sweet deal.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from MAD to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kms (10 miles). It takes around 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo. Stay at one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 32 kms (20 miles) from the centre of Colombo. Once you've hopped off your flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo, it'll take you around 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places to park your luggage (and yourself) near CMB. Unwind and get cosy after your MAD to Colombo flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare availability and rates from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Get first dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before booking your flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the off-season means you'll get better hotel deals and smaller crowds.
When booking your Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo plane ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from MAD to Colombo around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are must-do's during your Colombo adventure.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered. About 190 miles north of Colombo, a trip to Jaffna will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with attractions like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of Sri Lanka, head for Trincomalee, roughly 150 miles north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are highlights.
