Cheap flights to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is often called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, but given its hot and humid climate, this verdant island could be more accurately called the Emerald of the Indian Ocean.

Its beaches – Trincomalee, Bentota and Unawatuna – are palm-fringed and soft-sanded, but this little isle also has a rich colonial history (Galle port was used by Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Malays and Indians before the Portuguese, Dutch and, later, English arrived) and an inspiring cultural heritage (the cultural triangle extends from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa to Dambulla).

Flights to Sri Lanka will deliver you to graceful people, a beautiful island and a rich holiday experience. 

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Sri Lanka climate

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate. Luckily, the ocean winds moderate the high humidity. Temperatures rarely fall below 16 degrees in the winter and summer temperatures average 32 degrees. Monsoon season lasts from mid-October through January and leaves the island soaked.

When is the best time to fly 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.

Getting around Sri Lanka

ExpoAir flies from Colombo to Jaffna and there are other private charter airlines and helicopter services.

If you have lots of time, train travel can be a fascinating way of getting around the island. On some of the longer journeys, old-style sleeper trains are available.

Bus services on the island are run by the Central Transport Board (CTB) and private companies.

Three-wheel vehicles, known variously as tuk-tuks, bajajs or auto-rickshaws are a neat way of taking short trips.

Independent travellers can rent motor-bikes and cars. Hiring a car and driver is another popular option; drivers will have local knowledge.

How long is the flight to Sri Lanka?

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), also known as Colombo Airport, is the main international airport of the island of Sri Lanka. It was named after a former Prime Minister and lies 20 miles north of Colombo, the capital city. You can get Sri Lanka flight deals from Hong Kong (HKY) to Colombo via Singapore (SIN) with Singapore Airlines or Silk Airlines. The flying time for flights to Sri Lanka is between 9h 20min and 10h 25min.

Where can you get direct flights to Sri Lanka from?

There are many cheap flights to Sri Lanka but no direct flights. All flights from Hong Kong (HKY) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo have a stopover along the route — usually at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), but other stopover locations include the Indian airports of New Delhi (DEL) Mumbai (BOM).

What is the best way to travel around Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is a small island nation, and while distances aren’t great, the advised travel method is to hire a car and driver who knows the roads so you can relax. You can hire a new driver for different legs so that you are not under pressure to stick to a schedule, or you can stick to the same one for the whole time and he/she will become more of your local guide as well. The train is also a great option for seeing the countryside, so perhaps combine sections of car and driver with sections of train journeys. The train routes of Kandy – Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo – Kandy, and Colombo – Galle are recommended for the beautiful scenery. Trains are slow, however, and sometimes experience delays, but really do allow you to appreciate the countryside.

What are some things to do in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is famous for its tea plantations. Visit the Hill Country’s Haputale Mountains and take a tuk-tuk up to see where Sir Thomas Lipton would survey his estate from his favourite spot at Lipton’s Seat. You can also see how tea is made at the nearby tea factory in Dambatenne and watch the tea-pickers in the fields. Visit the Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been both a Buddhist monastery and a palace. To see elephants in their natural habitat, as well as buffalo and many birds, visit Udawalawe National Park. If you’re a fan of big cats, you can see leopards at Yala National Park. Wander through the city of Kandy and stop at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — said to house a tooth of Buddha himself. Ramble through the busy streets of the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and see beautiful Buddhist and Hindu temples and the hectic Pettah market. Visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dambulla Cave Temple, where Buddhist monks carved caves into the walls of rock to make them into temples and filled them with statues and paintings of Buddha and his life.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Sri Lanka?

Hong Kong citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival, but you must apply for the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before departure, which costs roughly HK$272. You can visit Sri Lanka as a tourist for up to 30 days and your passport must be valid for six months from your date of arrival.

What is good to know if travelling to Sri Lanka?

• Nuwara Eliya is the tea capital, the main hill resort. It is located about 2,000 metres above sea level. It is a place of English-style bungalows and afternoon tea. Sri Lankans flock to Nuwara Eliya during March and May, to escape the heat of the town.
• The Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage, about 85km (50 miles) from Colombo, is home to about 75 elephants that were either lost or abandoned by their mothers. The sanctuary was established by the Sri Lankan Government in 1975 and is a popular attraction.
• See the pole fishermen around Weligama in the south of the island. The fishermen climb up a pole between 20 and 50 metres (65-100 ft) out to sea, holding on with feet and one arm, while casting a line with the other arm.
• The Green, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead and Hawkesbill marine turtles are all endangered and the government takes conservation efforts very seriously, for example paying local fishermen to protect natural turtle-nesting sites.Kosgoda and Rekawa are among the best known sites.
• Horton Plains National Park, 3,160 hectares, is in the highlands. Kirigalpotta and Thotupola, Sri Lanka’s second and third-highest mountains, are in the park. Leopard, sambhur and wild boar roam freely.
• Kandy, in central Sri Lanka, was the last capital of the ancient kings of Ceylon. It is a sacred city, home to The Temple of the Tooth Relic. In July/August, Esala Perahera takes place. This is when one of the inner caskets used for covering the tooth relic is taken through the city accompanied by dancers, drummers, flag bearers and brightly decorated elephants.
• Ratnapura is the centre of Sri Lanka’s gemming industry. Jewels unearthed include ruby, sapphire, topaz, amethyst, aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet and cat’s eye. Collections of gems are housed in the National Museum, Ratnapura.