Travelling from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is 9 hours 30 minutes ahead of Washington DC, where Washington Dulles International Airport is located.
Leave enough time to make your flight from IAD to Colombo. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Getting on a plane during a peak time like July? Busy periods (like summer, Christmas and New Year) can easily add another hour at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from IAD to Colombo. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
You'll need an e-visa for Sri Lanka if you have a passport from United States and are travelling for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements can change. So before booking your cheap ticket from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo, check with your airline and the destination country's local consulate or embassy for up-to-date information.
IAD is around 56 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 51 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes.
Want a handy hotel close to IAD? If you're catching an early flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure gate:
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Colombo
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo is C$593. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$1,177. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
It's usually smart to book as early as possible if you want to find cheap tickets from IAD to Colombo. That's because flight prices are based on demand, which tends to increase closer to departure.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price across the month when searching for a ticket from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from IAD to Colombo. You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll notify you as soon as there's a change in price.
Play around with the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and journey duration.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is around 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo. Reserve one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo has landed, you can get to the city centre in around 39 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
You can also opt for public transport, which will take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from IAD to Colombo:
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo. The city comes alive in high season, but prices are usually higher and attractions can get crowded. Go to Colombo in the low season if you want a quieter vibe.
Before you book a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo, think about the type of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with the temperature ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Search for cheap flights from IAD to Colombo in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Colombo right here. Check out these options once you've booked your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo:
Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are just two of the popular attractions to put on your Colombo itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Viharamahadevi Park.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Colombo and explore the city at your leisure. Easily compare options in one place to find your perfect ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Colombo.
