Traveling from Los Angeles to Colombo: what you need to know
Los Angeles is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to Colombo leaving from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is where you'll be arriving in Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is 12 hours 30 minutes ahead of Los Angeles.
Leave enough time to get on your Los Angeles to Colombo flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Colombo
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap Los Angeles to Colombo flight. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Los Angeles to Colombo is more likely if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to see the lowest fares across the month and land an awesome deal.
There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Los Angeles to Colombo.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Los Angeles to Colombo flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
We make it a cinch to find a Los Angeles to Colombo flight with a stopover. To see all your options departing from Los Angeles International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Traveling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 55 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometers in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Los Angeles to Colombo or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Los Angeles International Airport maintains a solid on-time record, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from LAX arrive at their destination as scheduled 81.05% of the time.
LAX's address is One World Way.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 13 kilometers. It'll take you around 40 minutes to get to the center driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is around 27 kilometers from central Colombo. Once you've disembarked your flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, it takes approximately 40 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Traveling by public transport will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Check out the rates and availability from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Get exactly what you want. Booking your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Los Angeles during high season if you prefer a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Los Angeles to Los Angeles in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
When booking your Los Angeles to Colombo tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Colombo around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Colombo, browse our range of hotels including:
Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are a couple of big attractions to add to your Colombo itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many places in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored after you've seen Colombo. Around 18 kilometers to the south, top sights here include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Jaffna is another must-experience destination in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometers north of Colombo. No trip is complete without visiting Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
