Travelling from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport (LGW): What you need to know
Colombo's main base, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), is where great travel stories take off. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
London is five hours 30 minutes behind Colombo. London Gatwick Airport is located in London, which follows the UTC+0 timezone.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Colombo to LGW. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
If you're travelling during a bank holiday or other peak period, allow extra time. Get there two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Located around 16 kilometres from the centre of Colombo, RML can be reached in about 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Searching for a comfortable hotel near Colombo Ratmalana Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Break up your flight from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport with a stop so you can recharge or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some top stopovers between Bandaranaike International Airport and LGW include:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Colombo to CMB in about 1 hour 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 32 kilometres away, and making the journey by car will take approximately 40 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your Colombo to LGW flight? Kick back in a hotel near Bandaranaike International Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, Bandaranaike International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 75.71%.
About London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near LGW:
Follow your own route with a London Gatwick Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Green Motion, U-Save or Drivalia and find adventure across London and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride around three weeks ahead of your Colombo to London Gatwick Airport flight.
Getting from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to central London
London Gatwick Airport is about 40 kilometres from central London. How long it takes to get there in a car hire or cab depends on the time of day. Do a little research before your trip.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport is Rs69,673. For a return flight on this route, the best price is Rs164,800. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
To pick up cheap flights from Colombo to LGW, book in advance. Airlines typically offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in each month when searching for your Colombo to London Gatwick Airport ticket.
Be the first to know about deals for flight tickets from Colombo to LGW by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when prices go down.
Filters make it easier to dig up a deal for your flight from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport. Choose the airlines, flight times and stops that check all your boxes. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to bring up the lowest fares right away.
The best time to fly from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Think about your travel style when deciding when to fly. February is the quietest month to go to London. August is when most people book flights from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), which may be perfect if you're chasing more excitement.
Lock in a Colombo to LGW flight ticket departing in July if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in London to range from 11ºC to 26ºC.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport in January when temperatures are between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
Start your London trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Colombo to London Gatwick Airport, explore our selection of hotels including:
You'll find loads of exciting things to do in London when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Head straight for The British Museum followed by Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
Birmingham is just one of the many places in the United Kingdom waiting to be discovered after you've seen London. Around 193 kilometres away to the north-west, its best attractions include The Windsor Castle, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre.
Bristol is another sought-after destination in the United Kingdom and is around 177 kilometres west of London. No journey is complete without a visit to Banksey, Banksy's You Don't Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky and Clifton Suspension Bridge.
