Traveling from Atlanta to Colombo: what you need to know
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is Atlanta's main airport. Check out your options for booking a flight from Atlanta to Colombo taking off from here.
Touch down at Colombo's chief entry point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, which makes Colombo nine hours 30 minutes ahead of Atlanta.
To ensure you board your Atlanta to Colombo flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Peak months like July or vacation periods such as Christmas and New Year will mean longer lines at security and check-in. Be on the safe side and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of an international departure is a smart idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Atlanta to Colombo
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap Atlanta to Colombo flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price in each month when searching for your plane ticket from Atlanta to Colombo.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Atlanta to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Atlanta to Colombo flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Atlanta
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
We make it a cinch to book an Atlanta to Colombo flight with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
ATL is about 13 kilometers from central Atlanta. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the center, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Atlanta to Colombo, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
76.64% of flights taking off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
The address for ATL is 6000 N Terminal Parkway.
Arriving in Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is approximately 13 kilometers. It'll take you about 40 minutes to reach the center driving.
If you're traveling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near CMB if you're coming in on a late flight from Atlanta to Colombo. Choose one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The center of Colombo is located around 27 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Once your flight from Atlanta to Colombo has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 40 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the center will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
No time to waste? 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 be off and running.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your dates before booking your flight from Atlanta to Atlanta. The city buzzes during peak season, but rates are often higher and attractions can get busy. Plan your trip to Atlanta in the off-season if you like a quieter vibe.
Lock in an Atlanta 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).
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Search for cheap flights from Atlanta 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 best places to stay in Colombo right here. Browse these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Atlanta to Colombo:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are major attractions which should feature on any good Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka waiting to be explored. About 18 kilometers south of Colombo, a trip to Moratuwa will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Around 306 kilometers north of Colombo, Jaffna is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. Start your sightseeing at Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
