Cheap flights from Shanghai to Colombo

Compare Shanghai to Colombo flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Colombo

Book the best Colombo fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Shanghai to Colombo

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Shanghai to Colombo? Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Colombo

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Shanghai to Colombo flights are currently cheapest in September.

Direct flights from Shanghai to Colombo

Alternative Shanghai to Colombo routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Shanghai to Colombo? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Shanghai to Colombo: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$307
Cheapest month to flySeptember
Average flight time7 hrs, 12 mins
Most popular airlineChina Eastern
Average flights per week40

Finding cheap flights from Shanghai to Colombo: Frequently asked questions

There are 5 airports in Colombo: Kelaniya, Colombo Ratmalana, Colombo Bandaranayake, Bentota River, and Katugastota.
The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Shanghai to Colombo is $307. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
7 hours and 12 minutes is the average flight time from Shanghai to Colombo.
China Eastern and SriLankan Airlines fly direct from Shanghai to Colombo.
There are 10 flights per week flying from Shanghai to Colombo, as of June 2025.
The cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Colombo is usually June 2025.
If you're flying from Shanghai, the cheapest airport near Colombo is Colombo Bandaranayake – which is 27.5 km away from the center of Colombo. We've found flights to this airport from $307.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Shanghai to Colombo on Monday, September 1, 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 7 hours and 12 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Colombo but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar, and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Colombo is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In June, the average temperature is usually around 27°C. May is typically the warmest month in Colombo, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is July, with temperatures averaging 25°C. The rainiest month is November.
The cheapest airline that flies to Colombo is AirAsia X, and the cheapest airline that flies to Colombo Ratmalana Airport is SriLankan Airlines.

Traveling from Shanghai to Colombo: what you need to know

  • Shanghai is home to two main airports where you can kick off your travels. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Shanghai to Colombo flying out of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).

  • Disembark at Colombo's major arrival point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).

  • Around 7 hours 20 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Shanghai to Colombo flight.

  • Colombo is two hours 30 minutes behind Shanghai and follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.

  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are nine flights a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Shanghai to Colombo is with China Eastern Airlines at 14:25. Go for the first PVG to CMB departure operated by SriLankan Airlines at 00:20 to fit in more activities on your first day in Colombo.

  • To ensure you board your Shanghai to Colombo flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.

  • During popular months like April, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.

How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Colombo

  • To snag cheap Shanghai to Colombo flights, book your journey four months before your planned departure.

  • July is the best month for scoring an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Shanghai to Colombo. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.

  • Snapping up a cheap flight from Shanghai to Colombo couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as there's a better deal.

  • Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Shanghai to Colombo flights.

Flying from Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

  • You can book a direct flight from Shanghai to Colombo jetting off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Start your journey at PVG and arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).

  • China Eastern Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct Shanghai to Colombo plane tickets from PVG.

  • Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Shanghai to Colombo flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:

    • Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

    • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

    • Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

  • Central Shanghai to PVG is around 32 kilometers. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take about 50 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving.

  • Want a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Shanghai to Colombo or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:

  • When it comes to the on-time performance of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, data shows 78.11% of flights complete their journey on time.

  • You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

  • Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Shanghai to Colombo flight, here's where you can stop when taking off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:

    • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

    • Tianfu International Airport (TFU)

    • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

  • Driving from central Shanghai to SHA generally takes 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. It's around 13 kilometers from the city center to the airport.

  • It's your vacation, so why not spend another night away? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport the day before your flight from Shanghai to Colombo:

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport has earned its reputation for punctuality. 85.58% of flights departing here arrive right on target.

  • You'll find SHA at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Arriving in Colombo

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

  • The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 13 kilometers. It takes around 40 minutes to get to the center driving.

  • If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.

  • If you have a late flight from Shanghai to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near CMB:

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

  • After your flight from Shanghai to Colombo has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city center in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 27 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).

  • If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.

  • The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and be off and running.

  • Get first dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.

Best time to go to Colombo

  • Carefully consider your dates before securing your flight from Shanghai to Shanghai. The city buzzes during high season, but hotel rates are typically higher and attractions can be busy. Go to Shanghai in the low season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.

  • The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your Shanghai to Colombo ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.

  • January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Shanghai to Colombo around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.

More about Colombo

  • After booking your flight from Shanghai to Colombo, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Colombo:

  • Every great vacation 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 places in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored after you've experienced Colombo. Around 18 kilometers to the south, top sights here include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.

  • Jaffna is another favorite destination in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometers north of Colombo. No journey is complete without dropping by Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.