Travelling from Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) to Colombo: what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo and you'll be travelling for around 4 hours 25 minutes.
Colombo is one hour 30 minutes ahead of Sharjah, where Sharjah International Airport is located. Colombo observes the UTC+5:30 timezone.
With ten weekly departures between the two airports, Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the most popular route. Catch Air Arabia's 08:00 flight to get your journey from SHJ to CMB underway.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your SHJ to Colombo flight.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself even more breathing space. A good rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
You can book a direct Sharjah International Airport to Colombo ticket. Begin your trip at SHJ and arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Keep your eyes peeled for deals with Air Arabia. This airline has direct flights from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight ticket from SHJ to Colombo. All you need to do is uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Jinnah International Airport (KHI)
Central Sharjah to SHJ is around 10 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 10 minutes to reach there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Catching an early flight from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to SHJ:
76.09% of flights departing from Sharjah International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) to Colombo
The best price we've found for a one-way Sharjah International Airport to Colombo flight is $182. The cheapest price for a return flight is $385. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To secure cheap flights from SHJ to Colombo, book your journey seven months before your departure.
The best month for picking up cheap Sharjah International Airport to Colombo tickets is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
There's no need to check back constantly to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from SHJ to Colombo.
Save money on your flight from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, number of stops 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 about 40 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to RML if you're coming in on a late flight from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo. Select one of these accommodation options and make arrival day easier:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The centre of Colombo is located around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 40 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to CMB. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your SHJ to Colombo flight:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make collecting a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo during high season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo during low season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Book a Sharjah International Airport to Colombo flight ticket with a departure in March to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SHJ to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Sharjah International Airport to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just the start of the top attractions to add to your Colombo must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've visited Colombo, now it's time to discover other parts of Sri Lanka. Travel about 306 kilometres north to Jaffna to check off its top attractions. From Jaffna Fort to Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo, Trincomalee is another essential stop in Sri Lanka. No visit is complete without checking out Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.