Travelling from Washington DC to Colombo: what you need to know
When searching for a flight from Washington DC to Colombo, there's a nice selection of airports you can jet off from. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are among Washington DC's main terminals.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the primary arrival point in Colombo.
Colombo is nine hours 30 minutes ahead of Washington DC and follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
To ensure you make it on your Washington DC to Colombo flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Popular months like February or high seasons such as spring break and Christmas will mean bigger lines at security and check-in. If you're travelling then, play it safe and head to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and four hours ahead of international departures is a wise idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Colombo
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap Washington DC to Colombo flights if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird rates.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across every month when searching for your plane ticket from Washington DC to Colombo.
Getting a cheap flight from Washington DC to Colombo is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Washington DC to Colombo flights.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
DCA is around 4 miles from central Washington DC. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Washington DC to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Ronald Reagan National Airport:
76.44% of flights that leave from Ronald Reagan National Airport land at their destination on time.
DCA is located at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Split up your Washington DC to Colombo flight with a stop so you can recharge or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Popular stopovers between Washington Dulles International Airport and Colombo are:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
You can reach IAD from central Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 25 miles or so.
It's your holiday, so why not spend an additional night away? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your flight from Washington DC to Colombo:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 74.39%.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You can book a ticket from Washington DC to Colombo out of Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) with a stopover. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is a major connection point.
BWI is around 25 miles from central Washington DC. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 50 minutes. If you're planning to use public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Make catching an early Washington DC to Colombo flight the easiest part of your journey. Stay at one of these hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to the check-in counter without rushing:
The on-time performance rate of BWI is 77.13%. In other words, that's how frequently flights from this airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is approximately 8 miles. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Washington DC to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near CMB:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is around 17 miles from the centre of Colombo. Following your flight from Washington DC to Colombo, it'll take you approximately 40 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
The trip will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare rates and availability from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Get the lowest price by reserving your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Washington DC during the high season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Washington DC to Washington DC during the off-season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Book a Washington DC to Colombo ticket departing in March if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Washington DC to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Explore these options once you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Colombo:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are attractions you won't want to skip in Colombo.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've seen Colombo. Around 11 miles to the south, check out popular attractions including Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Around 190 miles north of Colombo, Jaffna is another favourite stop in Sri Lanka. No visit is complete without checking out Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
