Flying from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is 10 hours 30 minutes ahead of Houston, where George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from IAH to Colombo.
Popular months like July or high seasons such as Thanksgiving and Christmas will mean bigger queues at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and get to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of international flights is a wise move.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from IAH to Colombo. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
If you hold a passport from United States, you will need an e-visa to enter Sri Lanka. This applies if you're booking a cheap ticket from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check the visa rules before you make travel plans and certainly before you fly.
The journey from central Houston to IAH takes about 49 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 27 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near IAH:
How to find the cheapest flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Colombo
The best price we've found for a one-way ticket from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo is C$843. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$1,623. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
It's a good idea to book in advance if you're looking for cheap tickets from IAH to Colombo. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the departure date.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest tickets from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Getting a cheap ticket from IAH to Colombo is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Play around with the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. With a car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 39 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 16 minutes.
If you have a late flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
As soon as your flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 39 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from IAH to Colombo:
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your trip dates before locking in your flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo. The city comes alive in high season, but hotel rates are typically higher and attractions can get crowded. Go to Colombo in low season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
Lock in your flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo for March to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from IAH to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 32ºC.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-do's during your Colombo adventure.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Colombo isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Colombo and travel at your own pace. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.
