Flying from Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) to Colombo: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo is 3 hours 55 minutes.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is 30 minutes ahead of Lahore, where Allama Iqbal International Airport is located.
Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the most traveled route, with four flights a week to pick from. You can travel from LHE to CMB at 06:35 with SriLankan Airlines.
To avoid missing your LHE to Colombo flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Heading off during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at security and check-in. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo ticket. Start your trip at LHE and land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
SriLankan Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo.
We make it a breeze to book flight tickets from LHE to Colombo with a stopover. To see all your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Well-traveled stopover hubs include:
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Jinnah International Airport (KHI)
Central Lahore to LHE is around 23 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 50 minutes to get there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Looking for a hotel near LHE? If you're catching an early flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo, these stays put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Allama Iqbal International Airport, 68.2% of flights complete their journey on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) to Colombo
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo flight is Rs66,446. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs139,317. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book five months before you want to travel. Research on pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from LHE to Colombo.
The best month for landing cheap Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo tickets is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Save time looking for cheap flights from LHE to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 40 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo. Book one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is about 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 40 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your LHE to Colombo flight:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the availability and rates from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Lock in the best price by securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your trip dates before locking in your flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo. The city comes alive during high season, but rates are generally higher and major attractions can be busy. Visit Colombo in low season for a more relaxed vibe.
Book an Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo flight ticket with a departure in March if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from LHE to Colombo in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Colombo, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are a couple of leading attractions to put on your Colombo travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Jaffna is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered once you've seen Colombo. Around 306 kilometres away to the north, its top attractions include Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
If you're ready to explore another corner of Sri Lanka, consider Trincomalee, about 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are among the biggest draws.