Flying from Glasgow International Airport (GLA) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo is five hours 30 minutes ahead of Glasgow, where Glasgow International Airport is located. Colombo follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Leave enough time to catch your GLA to Colombo flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. A good rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
We make it a breeze to book flight tickets from GLA to Colombo with a stopover. To see all your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Travelling from central Glasgow to GLA takes about 35 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a hotel close to GLA? If you're catching an early flight from Glasgow International Airport to Colombo, these accommodation options put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
When it comes to Glasgow International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 70.07% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Glasgow International Airport (GLA) to Colombo
C$415 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Glasgow International Airport to Colombo flight. A round-trip ticket right now is C$911. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap flight from GLA to Colombo. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Glasgow International Airport to Colombo across the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Snapping up a cheap flight from GLA to Colombo is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when a new discount appears.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Glasgow International Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to the centre of Colombo takes about 40 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour 15 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
Look into staying at a hotel close to RML if you have a late flight from Glasgow International Airport to Colombo. Settle into one of these options and make arrival day easier:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Glasgow International Airport to Colombo has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
You'll find some comfortable places to rest your head close to CMB. Tuck yourself in and get cozy after your GLA to Colombo flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Compare offers from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Lock in the best price by securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before you book your flights from Glasgow International Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the low season brings better deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Lock in a Glasgow International Airport to Colombo flight ticket with a departure in March to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from GLA to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Glasgow International Airport to Colombo, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just two of the big attractions to put on your Colombo travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of Sri Lanka you should also see. About 306 kilometres north of Colombo, a visit to Jaffna will keep you on the move. Start with popular sights like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo, Trincomalee is another favourite stop in Sri Lanka. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.