Getting to Sri Lanka: flights from Europe

Almost all international flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Katunayake, about 35 km north of Colombo and close to the beach town of Negombo.

Flight schedules change every season. The information below was checked in October 2026; please confirm with the airlines when you book.

Nonstop flights

• From Zurich: Edelweiss flies Zurich–Colombo up to three times a week in the winter season.
• From Frankfurt: SriLankan Airlines has offered nonstop flights to Colombo a few times a week, taking about 10 hours. Check the current timetable at srilankan.com. Condor does not currently fly nonstop.
• From London: British Airways flies Gatwick–Colombo three times a week from 23 October 2026, and SriLankan Airlines flies from Heathrow.

One-stop flights

Many travellers fly with one stop in the Gulf or Turkey. These airlines connect Colombo with most European airports:

• Emirates via Dubai
• Qatar Airways via Doha
• Etihad via Abu Dhabi
• Turkish Airlines via Istanbul

Total travel time is usually 13 to 16 hours. In 2026 some flights via Gulf hubs were delayed or rerouted because of the situation in the Middle East, so allow a buffer and check your airline’s updates.

Arrival

• Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a sign showing your name. We follow your flight, so a delay is no problem.
• Time zone: Sri Lanka is UTC+5:30, with no daylight saving time. That is 4.5 hours ahead of Germany in winter and 3.5 hours in summer.
• First night: after a long or overnight flight, we recommend a first night in Negombo, only about 20 minutes from the airport.
• Money: there are ATMs and exchange counters in the arrivals area.
• SIM card: you can buy a local SIM card or eSIM at the airport. Mobile data is cheap and coverage is good on most routes.