Flying from Colombo to Washington DC: what you need to know
Planning your holiday begins with working out where you'll leave from in Colombo. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Colombo to Washington DC departing from here.
Disembark at one of Washington DC's key hubs like Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Alternatively, touch down at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Colombo to Washington DC.
Heading away during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
When travelling to United States for tourism purposes, you will require an embassy visa if you have a passport from Sri Lanka. However, visa rules are subject to change and other documentation may be needed depending on the purpose and length of your trip. Always check the most up-to-date guidelines before reserving your cheap flight from Colombo to Washington DC.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even explore a different city. When searching for flights from Colombo to Washington DC leaving from Bandaranaike International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Travelling from central Colombo to CMB takes approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 39 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near Bandaranaike International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Colombo to Washington DC or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC takes around 16 minutes by car. It's approximately 8 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of roughly 43 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Colombo to Washington DC. Book one of these accommodation options near DCA instead:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 56 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. After your flight from Colombo to Washington DC, allow for a drive time of approximately 51 minutes to get to the heart of the city.
You can expect the journey to take about 3 hours and 26 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Colombo to Washington DC, rest your head at a hotel close to IAD. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Washington DC
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Washington DC is ₹ 48,854. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ₹ 93,775. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap tickets from Colombo to Washington DC, book in advance. Airlines typically offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
Getting cheap tickets from Colombo to Washington DC is more likely if you can be flexible with your dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to show the lowest prices across every month and score a great deal.
Locking in a cheap ticket from Colombo to Washington DC couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Play around with filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Colombo to Washington DC, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Washington DC
July is the busiest month for flights from Colombo to Washington DC. To avoid the crowds, visit Washington DC in May.
Before you book a flight from Colombo to Washington DC, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Washington DC, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC to 33ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Colombo to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC and 10ºC.
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Colombo to Washington DC, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
White House Historical Association and The White House are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Washington DC to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to National Mall.
Complete your Washington DC trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Colombo to Washington DC isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Washington DC and explore at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
