Cheap flights to Sri Lanka from $419

The flight to Sri Lanka from the U.S. will typically have a duration of 20h 30m, on average. Total flight time depends on the exact route, stopovers, and duration of those stops. Added stops and layover times can significantly increase your travel time, so be sure to compare total flight times before booking. Flights from New York are closer to 20h in duration while flights from LAX have an average flight time closer to 27h 30m.

There are currently no direct flights offering service from the US to Sri Lanka. A number of one-stop flights are available from many larger cities, including Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Flights into Sri Lanka arrive at Columbo, with service available from China Eastern, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, and Emirates. SriLankan Airlines often has Sri Lanka flight deals with reasonable stopovers and flight times.

The majority of tourists traveling around Sri Lanka choose to travel by road or train, as there is a well-developed road network throughout the country. Driving can be unpredictable, so most travelers will employ a local driver or choose public transportation. Several international agencies are available for car rentals, including Dollar, Thrifty, and Hertz. There are minibuses available or travelers can find rickshaws throughout the towns and villages, as well. Taxis are available but tuk-tuks (open rickshaws) are cheaper and readily available in most places. There are also buses available for long-distance trips, including public and private options. If you want to know the locals, the crowded public buses are fun, but for those who want comfort, a private line is preferred.

There are more than 1,000 miles of beaches in Sri Lanka, including one of the best that is located near the airport—Negombo Beach. Tourists frequent popular resorts like Bentota, Beruwela, Hikkaduwa, and Mount Lavinia, as well. Adam’s Peak is considered a holy site by many religions, and is also known as the Sacred Footprint. Anuradhapura offers ancient remains full of what was once a city of temples, palaces, and beautiful stone structures. In Kitulgala, you’ll find plenty of adventure and outdoor activities, including mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. White water rafting on the Kelani River is also a great experience or you can go diving around Pigeon Island. Yala National Park and Wilpattu National Park offer local wildlife safaris, as well.

US citizens that fly to Sri Lanka for transit or tourism require prior approval from the Electronic Travel Authorization system, which is available from the airport upon arrival or you can get your ETA online before you travel to avoid delays on arrival. This allows visitors to remain in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days. Those who are transiting Sri Lanka without leaving the airport do not need an ETA. US residents visiting for short-term business can get a business ETA on arrival. You should be careful to apply for the appropriate travel authorization as using the wrong visa can result in deportation.

Yes, flights with layovers 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, British Airways is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Sri Lanka.

Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in Sri Lanka. One-way flights to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport typically cost $73, while round-trip flights cost around $132.

A round-trip flight to Sri Lanka will typically cost around $299, however they can be found for as little as $132.

For those looking to save time traveling to Sri Lanka, New York offers the quickest one-way flight (18 hours 35 minutes).

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

Yes. Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Green Star Residence is the closest property to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport (0.0 mi away from Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport).