Flying from Wattay International Airport (VTE) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is one hour 30 minutes behind Vientiane, where Wattay International Airport is located.
Leave plenty of time to get on your VTE to Colombo flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra wiggle room. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
To reach VTE from central Vientiane, it takes around 20 minutes if you're planning to drive. It's roughly 4 miles from the airport to the city centre.
In search of a hotel close to VTE? If you've booked an early flight from Wattay International Airport to Colombo, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
73.92% of flights taking off from Wattay International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Wattay International Airport (VTE) to Colombo
£136 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Wattay International Airport to Colombo flight. A return ticket right now is £312. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.
To find cheap flights from VTE to Colombo, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer their most competitively priced fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Wattay International Airport to Colombo across every month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's an extra saving on cheap flights from VTE to Colombo.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Wattay International Airport to Colombo by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 10 miles. It takes around 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling by public transport will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to RML if you have a late flight from Wattay International Airport to Colombo. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The centre of Colombo is about 20 miles from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Once your flight from Wattay International Airport to Colombo has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 40 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Following your VTE to Colombo flight, rest your head at a hotel close to CMB. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and make a speedy getaway.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Booking your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Colombo during peak season if you want a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices may be higher. Alternatively, book flights from Wattay International Airport to Colombo during low season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
Lock in a Wattay International Airport to Colombo plane ticket with a departure in March to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from VTE to Colombo in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Wattay International Airport to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these options your base for exploring Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just two of the big attractions to put on your Colombo must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka just waiting to be discovered. Around 190 miles north of Colombo, a trip to Jaffna will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of Sri Lanka, consider Trincomalee, about 150 miles north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are key reasons to visit.