Compare Cheap Flights from Auckland to Colombo
As the capital and largest city in Sri Lanka, Colombo has a lot to offer visitors. Sri Lanka is a small island nation off the southeast coast of India. A common misconception is that the two countries share a culture, but visiting Sri Lanka offers a completely different experience to India. Throughout history, Sri Lanka has played an important role in trading and has been influenced by India, Britain, and the Netherlands in the past. Colombo is located on the coast of Sri Lanka, meaning it has some gorgeous beaches and coastal areas within easy reach. In addition to coastal charm, Colombo has an exciting urban culture of temples, markets, parks, and unique architecture. The city has an exciting energy to it and is always abuzz with people, motorbikes, and tuk tuks. The majority of international flights to Sri Lanka land in Colombo, making it the perfect place to start your Sri Lankan adventure. After spending some time in the city, visit Sri Lanka’s mountains, various beaches, and smaller cities to get a true feeling for the country’s exciting culture.
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The best time to visit Colombo
Thanks to its tropical location, Sri Lanka experiences nice weather all year. There are two wet seasons in the country, with Colombo’s wet season lasting from June to September. While these months experience the most rain in Colombo, you’ll experience plenty of sunshine during this season as well. If you don’t mind a bit of rain, the wet season is a great time to find deals on hotels in Colombo as well as cheap airfares from Auckland to Colombo. Although there is some humidity, the wet season experiences pleasant temperatures of about 30°C.
For beautiful weather, consider visiting Colombo between the months of October and May. While the beginning gets a bit hotter and experiences more humidity, it is a great time to find a bargain in Colombo. The busiest months in Colombo are between November and March when weather is beautiful with lots of sunshine and little rain. A few major holidays are celebrated during this time as well: Diwali in November and Duruthu Perahera in January. Each of these holidays bring large crowds of people to Colombo to celebrate. Throughout the dry season, hotels increase their rates in Colombo, particularly during the holidays. If you’ll be visiting Colombo during this season, book your hotel early to get the best rate. In order to secure low season prices along with great weather, plan your AKL to CMB trip for the very beginning or end of dry season in October or May.
Departing From Auckland
In Auckland, there is one airport offering international flights to Sri Lanka. Auckland Airport is the largest airport in New Zealand and is located 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Auckland’s CBD.
Several airlines offer cheap airfares from Auckland to Colombo Airport, such as Air New Zealand, SriLankan Airlines, Jet Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. There are no direct flights between Auckland and Colombo, but you can arrive to Sri Lanka in less than 16 hours with one stopover. You’ll have plenty of options when booking your return flights from Auckland to Colombo as there are about 350 flights each week.
Getting to Auckland Airport
A SkyBus is available between Auckland Airport and the city. The SkyBus operates 24 hours a day, so no matter what time your flight is, you can reach the airport in no time. The bus originates on Customs Street East and makes stops along Queen Street, Dominion Road, Symonds Street, and Mount Eden Road. The SkyBus will get you to Auckland Airport in about 40 to 60 minutes for your flight to Colombo. A one-way ticket on the SkyBus costs $18 NZD, and a return ticket is $32 NZD.
For the quickest and most direct trip to the airport, you can catch a taxi or an Uber from locations all over Auckland. A taxi from the CBD and inner suburbs will get you to Auckland Airport in less than 30 minutes for a fare of about $60 NZD.
Parking at Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport has several car parks with easy access to the International Terminal. For the best rates on your parking, be sure to pre-book your car park.
Where to Park at Auckland Airport
• The cheapest rates are available in Car Park A. Spots are uncovered, and it is a 2 to 3 minute walk from the International Terminal. Weekly rates start at $75 NZD.
• For even more convenience, there is valet parking. Pull up to the terminal, and an attendant will park your car. Covered spots in the valet car park start at $139 NZD per week, and uncovered spots start at $130 NZD for a week.
Arriving in Colombo
Almost all visitors to Sri Lanka land at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). The airport is located 30 kilometres (18 miles) north of central Colombo. The airport currently consists of an international terminal and a domestic terminal, but a third terminal is in the process of being built. Once it’s complete, this new terminal will receive more international flights into Colombo.
How to Get from Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) to Your Colombo Hotel or Accommodation
For the most affordable option from Colombo Airport into the city, you can catch public bus number 187 from the airport. The bus operates from 5:30am to 6:30pm and departs from Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) every 30 minutes. The bus makes a few stops around the airport, then travels along the airport expressway to Colombo Central Bus Stand. The bus costs 110 Sri Lankan rupees (90 cents NZD) and will get you into the centre in about 45 minutes. Once you are in the city centre, many hotels are within walking distance. Otherwise, you can catch a tuk tuk from the bus stand to your Colombo hotel.
A taxi from Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) will get you into central Colombo in about 35 minutes. Taxi fare between the airport and city comes to about 2,900 rupees ($23.65 NZD). While tuk tuks are not available from the airport, they are a popular and authentic way to get around Colombo. Once you have reached the city, plan to take a couple of tuk tuk rides during your time in Colombo.
Things to do in Colombo
Go to the Beach
With a coastal location within Sri Lanka, Colombo is home to several beaches. You can visit one of the most popular beaches without even leaving the city centre. Galle Face Green is a centrally-located urban park with some gorgeous ocean views. This park is a favourite among both locals and tourists alike due to its beachy feel and proximity to restaurants and bars. About 10 kilometres (6 miles) down the coast from Colombo, you can visit Mount Lavinia Beach, which offers a completely different experience. It is a quiet beach complete with soft sand, palm trees, and a tranquil island atmosphere.
National Museum of Colombo
In order to learn about the history and culture of Sri Lanka, a visit to the National Museum of Colombo is a must. It’s the largest museum in Sri Lanka and features a variety of artefacts from the country’s history. Some relics that are displayed throughout the museum include the throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs, textiles, pottery, paintings, and exhibits that showcase different periods throughout Sri Lanka’s history. Tickets to visit the National Museum of Colombo cost 500 rupees (about $4 NZD).
The Floating Market
One of the most popular attractions within Colombo is the popular Floating Market. The market is based on the Beira Lake, which is right in central Colombo. While visiting the Floating Market, you can browse about 100 stalls selling local food as well as traditional Sri Lankan crafts. The market is a great place to find a deal on authentic Sri Lankan jewellery, clothing, or souvenirs.
Explore the Fort Neighbourhood
While walking through Colombo, you’ll come across regular examples of the country’s colonial past. Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been influenced by several cultures, most notably British and Dutch. In Colombo’s Fort neighbourhood, you can see plenty of examples of British and Dutch-style buildings that date back to the colonial years in Sri Lanka. Some buildings to note include the Old Dutch Hospital, the Old Parliament Building, Old Galle Buck Lighthouse, Central Point, and the Clock Tower.
