Flying from Chicago to Colombo: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Chicago. Check out your options leaving from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) when searching for a flight from Chicago to Colombo.
Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB) is where you'll be landing in Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is 11 hours 30 minutes ahead of Chicago.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your Chicago to Colombo flight.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Colombo
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap Chicago to Colombo flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Chicago to Colombo is more likely if you're flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest fares across every month and walk away with an incredible deal.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from Chicago to Colombo.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Chicago to Colombo flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Chicago to Colombo flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Located around 26 kilometres from central Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Have an early flight from Chicago to Colombo? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Chicago O'Hare International Airport:
Of all flights leaving Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 70% land on schedule at their destination.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
You can get to MDW from central Chicago in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey on public transport will take roughly 30 minutes to travel the 14 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Chicago to Colombo? Check in to a hotel near Chicago Midway Airport before your holiday officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
76% of flights departing Chicago Midway Airport arrive according to schedule.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB)
Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB) is approximately 27 kilometres from the centre of Colombo. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 40 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 50 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near CMB if you have a late flight from Chicago to Colombo. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Colombo Bandaranayake Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and explore beyond Colombo's main sights.
For the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport around two weeks in advance of your Chicago to Colombo flight.
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Central Colombo is around 13 kilometres from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML). Make your way off your flight from Chicago to Colombo and then be on the lookout for any airport signs that'll help you get to the city centre.
After your flight from Chicago to Colombo, settle in at a hotel close to RML. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Colombo
March is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Colombo, while August is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to visit Colombo based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a Chicago to Colombo ticket departing in March if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Search for cheap flights from Chicago to Colombo around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Mount Lavinia Beach. And Sri Gangaramaya are a couple of big attractions to put on your Colombo to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Independence Square.
