Travelling from Philadelphia to Colombo: what you need to know
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is Philadelphia's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Philadelphia to Colombo leaving from here.
Come in for landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the primary gateway of Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is nine hours 30 minutes ahead of Philadelphia.
To ensure you make your Philadelphia to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
You can expect longer lines during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Colombo
To find cheap Philadelphia to Colombo flights, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across the month when looking for your plane ticket from Philadelphia to Colombo.
You don't need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Philadelphia to Colombo.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your Philadelphia to Colombo flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Philadelphia to Colombo flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Philadelphia International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Travelling from central Philadelphia to PHL takes about 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Philadelphia to Colombo? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels near Philadelphia International Airport:
Of all flights departing from Philadelphia International Airport, 78.93% land on schedule at their destination.
PHL is located at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes around 40 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
It usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Philadelphia to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from Philadelphia to Colombo has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare offers from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Booking your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means lower prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Have a think about your trip dates before booking your flight from Philadelphia to Philadelphia. The city buzzes during peak season, but prices are generally higher and top attractions can be busy. Visit Philadelphia in the off-season if you like a quieter vibe.
Before locking in your Philadelphia to Colombo tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Look for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Colombo around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Colombo right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Philadelphia to Colombo:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are popular attractions which should feature on every Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered once you've seen Colombo. Around 18 kilometres to the south, popular attractions include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Jaffna is another well-known destination in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometres north of Colombo. No trip is complete without experiencing Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
