Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): what you need to know
A direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport takes an average of 8 hours 7 minutes. The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is 2 hours 30 minutes ahead of Istanbul.
Take your pick of 10 weekly flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. The 02:20 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest available between IST and CMB. Turkish Airlines operates the latest service of the day at 22:45 if you'd rather not get up at the crack of dawn.
Flying over a peak time like August? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines runs direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Book with this popular carrier, and get ready to check out the sights in Colombo — plus maybe even more of Sri Lanka if you have time.
We make it a cinch to get a flight with a stopover. To look at the options for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Popular stopovers between IST and CMB include:
Hamad International Airport
Abu Dhabi International Airport
Dubai Airport
To see if you need a visa to enter Sri Lanka, contact your airline and the local embassy or consulate. They'll provide you with the most up-to-date information, including additional travel documents you may need after booking your cheap ticket from IST to CMB.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
$221 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Return flights start at $490. These prices may change based on availability.
Book 9 months before your departure date. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from IST to CMB.
Organize your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. If you're flexible on when you fly, try out the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest airfare across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from IST to CMB every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Simply enter your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Located around 48 kilometers from central Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport can be reached in approximately 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
After an easy start to your break? Stay near IST. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these stays are perfect:
Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near CMB instead:
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
From Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo is approximately 32 kilometers away. It takes around 39 minutes to reach the center driving.
Traveling to the center on public transport typically takes 1 hour and 31 minutes.
When to fly to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. August is the most popular month to visit Colombo. If you want a more peaceful vibe, go in April.
Book your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport for March if you'd like to explore Colombo during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 24ºC and 33ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from IST to CMB in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
After booking your flights from IST to CMB, you'll want to find a place to stay in Colombo. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring this popular destination:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are leading attractions which should feature on any well-planned Colombo itinerary.
Complete your Colombo trip with hotels and a car rental
Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Bandaranaike International Airport, discover our low prices and exclusive rates for hotels. You can also compare hundreds of car rental companies in one go to find the best car rental price for your Colombo trip.
