Cheap flight tickets from Istanbul to Colombo

Travellers and cabin class

Compare Istanbul to Colombo flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Colombo

Book the best Colombo fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Istanbul to Colombo

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Istanbul to Colombo? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Colombo

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Istanbul to Colombo flights are currently cheapest in May.

Direct flights from Istanbul to Colombo

Alternative Istanbul to Colombo routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Istanbul to Colombo? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Istanbul to Colombo: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundRM1,364
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time8 hrs, 5 mins
Most popular airlineTurkish Airlines
Average flights per week10

Finding cheap flights from Istanbul to Colombo: Frequently asked questions

There are 5 airports in Colombo: Kelaniya, Colombo Ratmalana, Colombo Bandaranayake, Bentota River, and Katugastota.
The best price we found for a return flight from Istanbul to Colombo is RM1,364. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
8 hours and 5 minutes is the average flight time from Istanbul to Colombo.
Turkish Airlines flies direct from Istanbul to Colombo.
As of May 2025, there are 40 flights per week flying from Istanbul to Colombo.
The cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Colombo is usually May.
If you're flying from Istanbul, the cheapest airport near Colombo is Colombo Bandaranayake – which is 27.5 km away from the centre of Colombo. We've found flights into this airport from RM1,364.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Istanbul to Colombo on Thursday, 8 May 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 8 hours and 5 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Colombo but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Colombo is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In May, the average temperature is usually around 28°C. May is typically the warmest month in Colombo, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is July, with temperatures averaging 25°C. The rainiest month is November.
The cheapest airline that flies to Colombo is Air Arabia. And the cheapest airline that flies to Colombo Ratmalana Airport is Turkish Airlines.

Flying from Istanbul to Colombo: what you need to know

  • There are a couple of main airports you can take off from in Istanbul. Explore your options leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when planning your flight from Istanbul to Colombo.

  • Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is where your flight will arrive in Colombo.

  • The average length of a direct Istanbul to Colombo flight is 8 hours 5 minutes.

  • The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is two hours 30 minutes ahead of Istanbul.

  • The most popular route for flights from Istanbul to Colombo is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Take your pick of nine weekly services between these two airports. If you want to take off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from IST to CMB is the 02:20 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last available departure is at 19:30 with Turkish Airlines.

  • Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Istanbul to Colombo flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • During popular months like April, it's best to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during high season in general.

How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Colombo

  • To secure cheap Istanbul to Colombo flights, reserve your trip two months ahead of your departure.

  • The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Colombo is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates offering the lowest fares.

  • Locking in a cheap flight from Istanbul to Colombo is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.

  • Lock in a cheap Istanbul to Colombo flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.

Flying from Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • If you're searching for a direct flight from Istanbul to Colombo, you can leave from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Travel from IST to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) without making any stops.

  • Turkish Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct Istanbul to Colombo plane tickets from IST.

  • We make it a breeze to find an Istanbul to Colombo flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:

    • Dubai Airport (DXB)

    • Hamad International Airport (DOH)

    • Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

  • Located around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.

  • Searching for a convenient hotel close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Colombo, these stays will have you nice and close to your departure gate:

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Visit family or friends or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Colombo flight, here's where you can stop when taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:

    • Hamad International Airport (DOH)

    • Kuwait International Airport (KWI)

    • Muscat International Airport (MCT)

  • SAW is around 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take 55 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Istanbul to Colombo, unwind in one of these hotels close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:

  • As far as flight punctuality goes, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76.93%.

Arriving in Colombo

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

  • Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.

  • It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there on public transport.

  • Consider booking a hotel close to CMB if you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Colombo. Choose one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

  • The centre of Colombo is approximately 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Istanbul to Colombo has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 40 minutes.

  • Public transport will get you there in approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • Forget about public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare availability and rates from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.

  • Snap up the best price by booking your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.

Best time to go to Colombo

  • Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Istanbul to Istanbul. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel rates are usually higher and attractions can get crowded. Plan your trip to Istanbul in low season for a more relaxed vibe.

  • Lock in an Istanbul to Colombo ticket departing in March if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).

  • If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).

More about Colombo

  • When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Colombo right here. Check out these hotels once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Colombo:

  • Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Colombo itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Viharamahadevi Park.

Explore more of Sri Lanka

  • You've visited Colombo, now it's time to explore other corners of Sri Lanka. Journey around 18 kilometres south to Moratuwa to tick off its leading sights. From Boat House to Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.

  • 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 key highlights.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.