Travelling from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Colombo: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 11 hours. That's the average duration of a direct flight from Zurich Airport to Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Zurich, where Zurich Airport is located.
Give yourself enough time to catch your ZRH to Colombo flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during a peak period in general.
You can book a direct Zurich Airport to Colombo ticket. Start your trip at ZRH and touch down at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Be on the lookout for deals with Edelweiss Air. This airline operates direct flights from Zurich Airport to Colombo.
ZRH is around 10 kilometres from central Zurich. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 35 minutes.
Have an early flight from Zurich Airport to Colombo? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to ZRH:
69.02% of flights that depart Zurich Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Colombo
ج.م. 15,817 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Zurich Airport to Colombo flight. Return flight tickets start at ج.م. 30,016. These fares can change based on demand and availability.
To score cheap flights from ZRH to Colombo, reserve your trip one month ahead of your departure.
The best month for scoring cheap Zurich Airport to Colombo tickets is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as there's an even better deal on cheap flights from ZRH to Colombo.
Snag an affordable flight from Zurich Airport to Colombo with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kilometres. It'll take you around 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Zurich Airport to Colombo, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Zurich Airport to Colombo has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to rest your head close to CMB. Unwind and get cosy after your ZRH to Colombo flight at one of these well-located options:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride two weeks ahead of your arrival at CMB can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before securing your flights from Zurich Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Colombo offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while low season means you'll get cheaper hotel rates and smaller crowds.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your Zurich Airport to Colombo plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from ZRH to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 32ºC.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Zurich Airport to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are leading attractions which should be on any well-planned Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've seen Colombo, now it's time to explore other corners of Sri Lanka. Journey around 306 kilometres north to Jaffna to check off its top attractions. From Jaffna Fort to Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Trincomalee is another must-experience destination in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No trip is complete without dropping by Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
