Flying from Houston to Colombo: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your journey from in Houston. Check out your options leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) when reserving your flight from Houston to Colombo.
Come in for landing at Colombo's primary gateway, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, making Colombo ten hours 30 minutes ahead of Houston.
For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your Houston to Colombo flight.
If you're heading away during a peak month like July, get to the terminal even earlier. You'll want to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. You can expect lines to be longer during peak periods like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Colombo
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap Houston to Colombo flights if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird discounts.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Houston to Colombo is easy if you're flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest fares across each month and bag an awesome deal.
There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Houston to Colombo.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Houston to Colombo flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and maybe even explore another city. When searching for Houston to Colombo flights leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The journey from central Houston to IAH takes about 50 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Need a handy hotel close to George Bush Intercontinental Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Houston to Colombo, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Of all flights departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 78.42% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
You'll find IAH at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
HOU is around 16 kilometres from central Houston. It'll take you 20 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not enjoy another night away? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near William P. Hobby Airport the day before your flight from Houston to Colombo:
Flights from William P. Hobby Airport have a proven record for punctuality, with 81.06% of them landing as expected.
HOU is located at 7800 Airport Boulevard.
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.
It usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel close to CMB if you have a late flight from Houston to Colombo. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 27 kilometres from central Colombo. Once you've hopped off your flight from Houston to Colombo, it'll take you approximately 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and make a speedy getaway.
Snap up a deal by booking your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Have a think about your travel dates before securing your flight from Houston to Houston. The city comes alive during peak season, but prices are generally higher and top attractions can get busy. Go to Houston in the low season if you want a more relaxed vibe.
Before locking in your Houston to Colombo tickets, consider the kind of weather you prefer. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Houston to Colombo in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Houston to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are attractions you won't want to skip in Colombo.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Sri Lanka waiting to be explored. About 18 kilometres south of Colombo, a trip to Moratuwa will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
If you're looking to explore another corner of Sri Lanka, head for Jaffna, about 306 kilometres north of Colombo. Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library are the start of reasons to visit.
