Flights to Colombo

What are the dos and don’ts of visiting Colombo?

Do negotiate rates in advance with taxi and tuk tuk drivers

Many local taxis and tuk tuks do not use meters and may overcharge tourists. While getting a ride after your flights to Colombo, ask the driver if the vehicle has a meter. If so, request that they use it. If there’s no meter, agree on a price with the driver before getting in to make sure you are charged a fair price.

Don’t eat with your left hand

While dining at a restaurant or cafe after your flights to Colombo, be careful to only use your right hand if you’re forgoing cutlery. Traditionally, Sri Lankans use their left hand for hygiene purposes, leading to the perception that left hands are unclean. You should also avoid touching locals with your left hand after arriving on cheap flights to Colombo.

Do apply for a Sri Lankan ETA when you have tickets to Colombo

New Zealanders are required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in order to visit Sri Lanka. When preparing for your return flights to Colombo, you can apply for this online. The ETA can take up to 24 hours to be issued, so make sure to apply for it at least a full day before your flights to Colombo.

What are the best things to do in Colombo?

Gangaramaya Temple

There are several different temples to see when you book an airfare to Colombo, but Gangaramaya is arguably the most famous. It is located on Beira Lake and features a combination of traditional Sri Lankan and contemporary architecture. Gangaramaya is a Buddhist temple and is one of the most peaceful spots to visit when exploring the city centre. While visiting the temple after cheap flights to Colombo, you can see features such as colourful Buddha statues, a pagoda, Maha Bodhi tree, and various jewels.

Galle Face Green

Galle Face Green is an urban park located beside the ocean. When you book tickets to Colombo, this is the perfect spot to enjoy a taste of coastal Sri Lanka without venturing out of the city centre. When Galle Face Green was first built, it was used for various sports, such as horse racing, cricket, and golf. Today, the large park is a popular gathering place for locals and visitors. After arriving on flights to Colombo, take a walk through Galle Face Green to admire the views of the city and ocean and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Galle Face Green is also a popular dining and drinking spot; it’s lined by street food vendors and bars that are especially lively in the evenings.

Dutch Hospital

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch colonised Sri Lanka. Today, many buildings that were built during this colonial period are still standing. When you have return flights to Colombo, the Dutch Hospital is one of the most iconic colonial-era structures you can see. It features traditional Dutch-style architecture, including large teak beams and open-air verandahs. The building originally served as a hospital but was later used as British army barracks and a Town Hall. In 2014, the Dutch Hospital was converted to a dining and shopping precinct. When you have an airfare to Colombo, spend some time at the Dutch Hospital to try local food, hear live music, and purchase souvenirs in a historic setting.

What is the cost of visiting Colombo?

After you have booked your airfare to Colombo, accommodation can also be booked through Webjet. In Colombo, there is a wide range of accommodation options ranging from budget to high-end. On average, a hotel room in central Colombo costs about $100 to 150 NZD per night.

Once you arrive into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you can make your way into the city by taxi or public bus. A taxi comes to about 2500 rupees ($21.75 NZD) while the bus is an affordable 225 rupees (about $2 NZD). Many visitors with flights to Colombo also choose to explore the city by tuk tuk. Tuk tuks should cost about 200 rupees ($1.75 NZD) per kilometre travelled, but be sure to agree on a price with the driver before getting in. Public buses are also available in Colombo and serve as an affordable mode of transport for visitors with return flights to Colombo. Bus fare varies between 10 and 50 rupees (between 9 and 43 cents NZD).

After arriving on cheap flights to Colombo, you’ll find that local food and drink can be incredibly affordable. A meal from a local sit-down restaurant costs about 500 rupees ($4.35 NZD), and a domestic beer is about 300 rupees ($2.60 NZD). If you visit a local cafe, a latte or cappuccino might cost about 350 rupees ($3.05 NZD).