Flying from Hamburg to Colombo: what you need to know
Planning your trip starts with working out where you'll leave from in Hamburg. Hamburg Airport (HAM) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Hamburg to Colombo jetting off from here.
Touch down at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the chief entry point to Colombo.
Colombo is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Hamburg and observes the UTC+5:30 timezone.
To ensure you don't miss your Hamburg to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect longer lines in popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Hamburg to Colombo
Booking in advance is often the key to finding a cheap Hamburg to Colombo flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Hamburg to Colombo is easy if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Try using the 'Whole month' function to see the lowest prices across every month and score a sweet deal.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Hamburg to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Hamburg to Colombo flights.
Flying from Hamburg
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Hamburg to Colombo flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Hamburg Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Located around 10 kilometres from central Hamburg, HAM can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 25 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel close to Hamburg Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Hamburg to Colombo, these stays will have you sleeping nice and close to your departure gate:
When it comes to Hamburg Airport's on-time performance, data shows 75.01% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Arriving in Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes around 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Hamburg to Colombo. Book one of these accommodation options near CMB instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Hamburg to Colombo has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
No need to worry about public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the availability and rates from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Avoid potential price surges. Securing your ride two weeks ahead of your arrival at CMB will help you save.
Best time to go to Colombo
Travel to Hamburg in peak season if you prefer a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are generally higher. Alternatively, schedule your flights from Hamburg to Hamburg during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Hamburg to Colombo ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Hamburg to Colombo around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Hamburg to Colombo, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-visits when exploring Colombo.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Sri Lanka just waiting to be discovered. Around 18 kilometres south of Colombo, a visit to Moratuwa will keep you on the go. Start with leading sights like Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
If you're ready to explore another corner of Sri Lanka, consider Jaffna, about 306 kilometres north of Colombo. Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library are the start of reasons to visit.