Traveling from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport (CCU) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, which is the same as Kolkata (the location of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport).
Give yourself enough time to make your CCU to Colombo flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even tick a new city off your list. When searching for plane tickets from CCU to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Located around 13 kilometers from central Kolkata, CCU can be reached in about 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
Looking for a hotel close to CCU? If you've booked an early flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
When it comes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport's on-time performance, 75.9% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport (CCU) to Colombo
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo flight is $161. The cheapest price for a return flight is $329. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap flight from CCU to Colombo. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
Scoring cheap tickets from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo is more likely if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search function to get the lowest fares across every month and walk away with an incredible deal.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from CCU to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to the center of Colombo takes around 40 minutes by car. The center is roughly 16 kilometers away.
It takes around 1 hour 15 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo. Reserve one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo has hit the runway, you can get to the city center in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
You can expect the trip to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to CMB. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your CCU to Colombo flight:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and be off and running.
Get exactly what you want. Booking your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means better prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Travel to Colombo during peak season if you like a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo during low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Lock in a Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo flight ticket with a departure in March to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from CCU to Colombo in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport to Colombo, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Every great vacation has to include some sightseeing. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are must-do's during your Colombo adventure.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Jaffna is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Colombo. Around 306 kilometers away to the north, popular attractions include Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Trincomalee is another must-experience destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometers north-east of Colombo. No journey is complete without dropping by Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
