Travelling from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Colombo's main base, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), is where many great vacations begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Take a direct flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 8 hours 43 minutes.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul. The city operates in the UTC+3 timezone and is 2 hours 30 minutes behind Colombo.
With 10 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 06:50. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the last departure from CMB to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:45.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Colombo to IST. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the mad dash to your gate.
During popular months such as August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during high season in general.
Airports in Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) provides a hassle-free way to reach your destination. Nonstop flights from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) take off from this terminal.
When jetting out of CMB, you can catch a direct flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with Turkish Airlines.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Colombo to IST. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Take a pause at one of these airports:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
CMB is about 32 kilometres from central Colombo. To work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This handy travel app will give you the fastest route and available public transport options.
After a hassle-free start to your journey? Stay near Bandaranaike International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you have a late flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near IST:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting there by public transport typically takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is C$336. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$652. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To get your hands on flight tickets from Colombo to IST, book as early as you can. Airlines typically offer lower prices when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest tickets from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport across the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Create a Price Alert for flight tickets from Colombo to IST. You don't need to search every day to see whether prices have dropped. We'll update you the moment the price changes.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
The best time to fly from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the most popular month to hop on a flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to visit Istanbul, consider your preferred travel pace and style.
Before locking in your flight from Colombo to IST, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the top-rated attractions to add to your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Colombo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport to track down your ideal ride. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info you need to know, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.
