Flying from New York to Colombo: what you need to know
When searching for a flight from New York to Colombo, there's a nice range of airports you can take off from. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are among New York's main terminals.
Hop off the plane at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the chief entry point to Colombo.
Leave enough time to catch your flight from New York to Colombo. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months such as August and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
When travelling to Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, you will require an e-visa if you hold a passport from United States. However, visa rules are subject to change and you may need additional documents depending on the duration and purpose of your visit. Always check the most recent guidelines before booking your cheap flight from New York to Colombo.
Flying from New York
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
We make it a breeze to find a flight from New York to Colombo that includes a stopover. To see the options departing from Newark Liberty International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
The journey from central New York to EWR takes around 1 hour and 11 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 24 kilometres in 28 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a stress-free start to your break? Stay near Newark Liberty International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from New York to Colombo or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Split up your flight from New York to Colombo with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross another place off your list. Some great stopovers between Newark Liberty International Airport and Colombo include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
JFK is about 48 kilometres from central New York. It'll take 48 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Kick off your vacation early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from New York to Colombo, chill out in one of these hotels near John F. Kennedy International Airport:
Arriving 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 about 39 minutes.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 16 minutes to get there using public transport.
Reserve a hotel near RML if you're catching a late flight from New York to Colombo. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is approximately 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). As soon as your flight from New York to Colombo has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 39 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from New York to Colombo, settle in at a hotel near CMB. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Colombo
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from New York to Colombo is C$544. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$1,099. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap flights from New York to Colombo if you book early. Airlines often offer some great early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest tickets from New York to Colombo across every month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you time looking for cheap flights from New York to Colombo every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from New York to Colombo. Enter your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo during high season if you prefer a bustling atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices may be higher. Alternatively, book flights from New York to Colombo in the off-season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Lock in your flight from New York to Colombo for March if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Search for cheap flights from New York to Colombo around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from New York to Colombo, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Colombo itinerary.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from New York to Colombo isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Colombo and explore at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.
