Flying from Glasgow to Colombo: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering where you'll board your flight from Glasgow to Colombo. Glasgow International Airport (GLA) and Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) are Glasgow's main airports.
Touch down at Colombo's chief entry point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, which makes Colombo five hours 30 minutes ahead of Glasgow.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your Glasgow to Colombo flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Glasgow to Colombo
To find cheap Glasgow to Colombo flights, book as early as possible. Airlines typically offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Glasgow to Colombo is easier if you're flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to see the best prices across every month and score an awesome deal.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Glasgow to Colombo couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Or sort your Glasgow to Colombo flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Glasgow
Glasgow International Airport (GLA)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for Glasgow to Colombo flights departing from Glasgow International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
GLA is about 11 kilometres from central Glasgow. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 35 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Glasgow to Colombo? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Glasgow International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Glasgow International Airport, 70.07% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)
You can get to PIK from central Glasgow in about 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Glasgow to Colombo? Relax in a hotel near Glasgow Prestwick Airport before your adventure officially starts. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Glasgow Prestwick Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 77%.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is approximately 13 kilometres. It'll take you about 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Reserve a hotel close to RML if you have a late flight from Glasgow to Colombo. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Glasgow to Colombo has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you hop on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make collecting a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Call dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your dates before securing your flight from Glasgow to Glasgow. The city buzzes in high season, but prices are typically higher and top attractions can get busy. Go to Glasgow in the low season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your Glasgow to Colombo ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Look for cheap flights from Glasgow to Colombo around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Colombo right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Glasgow to Colombo:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-visits when exploring Colombo.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Colombo. Around 18 kilometres to the south, popular attractions include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in Sri Lanka, consider Jaffna, roughly 306 kilometres north of Colombo. Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library are the start of reasons to visit.
