Flying from Rome to Colombo: what you need to know
Rome is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Rome to Colombo leaving from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA).
Disembark at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the chief entry point to Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Rome.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Rome to Colombo flight.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Rome to Colombo
To pick up cheap Rome to Colombo flights, book in advance. Airlines generally offer lower prices when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Rome to Colombo across each month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Rome to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Rome to Colombo flights.
Flying from Rome
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Rome to Colombo flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Traveling from central Rome to FCO takes around 50 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 23 kilometers in 40 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a relaxed start to your vacation? Stay near Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Rome to Colombo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
70.57% of flights departing from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport reach their destination on time.
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Rome to CIA in around 1 hour 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 13 kilometers away. Driving will take you about 40 minutes.
Get a head start on your vacation with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Rome to Colombo, unwind in one of these hotels close to Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport:
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport has an on-time performance of 73%. This figure gives an insight into how frequently flights that take off from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. The center is roughly 13 kilometers away.
Getting there by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near RML if you're coming in on a late flight from Rome to Colombo. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The center of Colombo is located around 27 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Rome to Colombo has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 40 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the center in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the rates and availability from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride two weeks before your arrival at CMB will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before you book your flights from Rome to Rome, think about which time of year works best for you. High season in Rome offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the low season brings better hotel deals and fewer crowds.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your Rome to Colombo ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap flights from Rome 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
Start your Colombo trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Rome to Colombo, explore our range of hotels including:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-visits when exploring Colombo.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Colombo. Around 18 kilometers to the south, popular attractions include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Jaffna is another well-known destination in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometers north of Colombo. No journey is complete without seeing Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.