Travelling from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): what you need to know
Around 8 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport.
Colombo is two hours 30 minutes ahead of Istanbul and observes the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Choose from ten weekly Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flights. The 02:20 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest available. Turkish Airlines operates the latest service of the day at 19:30.
Give yourself enough time to make your IST to CMB flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months like April. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
Turkish Airlines is your gateway to discovering Colombo (and perhaps some other great corners of Sri Lanka!). Browse the direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport offered by this popular carrier.
Turkish Airlines is the airline with the highest passenger demand for this route.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or maybe even explore a new city along the way. Here are some options between IST and CMB:
Dubai Airport
Hamad International Airport
Abu Dhabi International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Rs53,041 is the best price for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight. Return flights start from Rs128,277. These prices can change depending on availability.
To get cheap tickets from IST to CMB, reserve your journey six months ahead of your departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have flexible travel dates.
Getting your hands on cheap flights from IST to CMB is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
You can expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes when using public transport.
Get your break off to a leisurely start by staying near IST. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these stays are the answer:
Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
If you're arriving on a late Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight, nothing tops the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near CMB:
Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and discover Colombo and beyond with your own wheels. Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt are top providers you can book with here.
Reserving your vehicle from Bandaranaike International Airport about two weeks in advance can help you get the lowest rate.
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. The drive time takes around 40 minutes.
It'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
When to fly to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The quietest month for a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport is April, while February is the most popular. Choose the best time to visit Colombo based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport for March if you want to explore Colombo during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 24ºC and 33ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from IST to CMB in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka you'll want to see. Around 18 kilometres south of Colombo, a visit to Moratuwa will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading sights like Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, Jaffna is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. Experience major highlights starting with Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.