Cheap flights to Sri Lanka

Peak season: The best time to search for cheap flights to Sri Lanka and visit is between the rainy seasons. On the south-west coast and in the hills, it is driest between November and April. The south-west coast has fantastic beaches around Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Mirissa. On the east coast, visit between May and September for the best conditions. Some of the must-visit beaches on this side of the island are Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay Off season: Monsoon season is between May and July, and December and January.

Malaysia and Sri Lanka are only separated by the great Indian Ocean and, ideally, it should not take more than 3h 30min approximately to fly directly from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Though not located very far away from each other, the travel time between the two countries could be much higher if direct flights to Sri Lanka are unavailable. Depending upon the stopover it may take up to 48h to get cheap flights to Sri Lanka from Malaysia. Currently all major airlines operating in the continent of Asia carry passengers and offer Sri Lanka flight deals between the two countries. Sri Lankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, SilkAir, Qatar Airways and Emirates also fly to Sri Lanka.

Though there are seven international airports in Malaysia, the only airport to catch a direct cheap flight to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka and the International Airport of the country, is Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Air Asia and SriLankan Airlines both provide direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo. There are other international airports in Malaysia, Penang, Kuching, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu, from where connecting flights with both short and long deadlines are available. Malaysia Airlines, SilkAir, Singapore Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines all work in accordance in order to provide uninterrupted services.

If you want to visit Jaffna from Colombo, a good idea would be to use the trains, which will only take around 6h. You can also use a bus, which will take around nine hours. If you're wanting to visit the ancient ruins of Sigiriya from Colombo, it will only take around an hour-and-a-half to get there via train. While you can also hire a car and drive yourself, it is common for people to hire drivers during their stay, making travel much easier. If you want to self-drive then you will need to provide an International Driver's Permit and prove that you have had your licence for over a year.

For nature lovers, adventure seekers and those who like outdoor activities, Sri Lanka is an ideal place to visit all year round. Being close to the equator and surrounded by Indian Ocean in all direction, Sri Lankans enjoy tropical weather, flora and fauna, sunlight and the sea. A few of the places that are quite popular with tourists are Horton Plains, Udawalawe, Wilpattu, Bundala and Kaudulla, which are some of the National Parks; Sri Pada and Hanthana are two of the mountains in the country; there are a number of beaches that dot the shorelines, perfect for those who like the sea. There are waterfalls, fortresses (namely Sigiriya, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and even an elephant orphanage that is quite interesting to visitors.

People travelling from Malaysia to Sri Lanka would require a tourist visa, which allows stays for up to thirty days in the country. A visa can be obtained upon arrival, however, it is advisable that this process is completed before the journey begins. Depending upon the entry and exit frequency a Sri Lakan Visa for Malaysian citizens varies from anywhere between $55 to $90, which is around RM 226 to RM 370. You would also need to fill an Immigration Arrival Card upon reaching Sri Lanka. The travellers must have a return ticket and enough money to cover their expenses while in Sri Lanka. Also, while filling the online application, make sure to enter all details correctly and to carry the same document used in the application to show at the Immigration Office.

Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to Sri Lanka on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Malaysia Airlines is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Sri Lanka.

Colombo Bandaranaike Intl is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in Sri Lanka. One-way flights to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl typically cost RM 387, while return flights cost around RM 932.

A return flight to Sri Lanka will typically cost around RM 2,477, however they can be found for as little as RM 932.

For those looking to save time traveling to Sri Lanka, Kuala Lumpur offers the quickest one-way flight (3 hours 30 minutes).

Yes. Those touching down at Colombo Bandaranaike Intl can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

Yes. Colombo Bandaranaike Intl has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Bleu Pearl in Katunayake Srilanka is the closest property to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl (0.0 km away from Colombo Bandaranaike Intl).