5★Flight
≈ 4–6 h with a change
CCU → CMB, with a change; check schedules
Airport
CMB
Bandaranaike International Airport
Best time
December to March for the west coast
check the season before booking
Stay
3 to 4 nights
add 2 for Kandy or Galle
Country
Sri Lanka
check entry rules
There is normally no non-stop flight from Kolkata to Colombo; a change is usually needed, with journey times of about 4 to 6 hours depending on the hub, so check schedules before booking. Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and stay in Colombo Fort for the old city, Kollupitiya for the seafront, or Negombo if you land late. Three or four nights suits a first visit, December to March.
Getting from Kolkata to Colombo
By air
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) sits north of Colombo, near Katunayake. There is normally no non-stop flight from Kolkata (CCU), so a change is usually needed at a hub, and the typical journey time is about 4 to 6 hours in total. Schedules vary by carrier and season, so check the option that suits you before booking. Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation or visa; check the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration.
From the airport, the expressway is the quickest way into central Colombo; the drive to the Fort and Kollupitiya depends heavily on traffic, and mornings and evenings are slow. Taxis and app cabs wait at the terminal, and there are bus services. Negombo is much closer, which suits a late landing. Confirm current options at the airport information desk.
Other options
Flying is the only practical way to reach Colombo from Kolkata. An overland route would mean crossing India to the far south and finding a crossing to the island, and there is no scheduled passenger ferry from the Indian mainland, so check before planning that way. For a short break, the flight with one change is far simpler.
Where to stay in Colombo
Colombo Fort
The historic core around the harbour, with the old colonial buildings, the station and the bus stands. Suits travellers who want to walk to sights and be near transport, though it empties at night.
Kollupitiya
Colombo's seafront district, a short walk from Galle Face Green, with shops, cafes and hotels of every kind. Suits a first visit when sea air, restaurants and an easy stroll at sunset matter.
Negombo (near the airport)
A coastal town close to Bandaranaike International Airport, with a beach, a lagoon and churches, and a much shorter transfer. Suits late arrivals, early departures and a gentler first or last night.
Top things to do in Colombo
- Colombo Fort walk: The old commercial quarter around the harbour holds the Dutch Hospital precinct, the clock tower and the colonial offices, all easy to cover on foot in a morning.
- Galle Face Green: A long seafront lawn in the centre of the city. Stalls line the edge in the evening, and the sea and sunset do the rest.
- Gangaramaya Temple: A busy Buddhist temple by Beira Lake, mixing Sri Lankan, Thai and Chinese architecture, with a museum of gifts left by devotees.
- Seema Malaka: A quiet lakeside pavilion on Beira Lake, designed by Geoffrey Bawa for meditation and reflection. Dress modestly and keep voices low.
- Pettah market: The dense bazaar district east of the Fort, good for spices, textiles and household goods, with the red and white Jami Ul-Alfar mosque nearby.
- National Museum: The city's main museum, in a colonial building near Viharamahadevi Park, covers the island's kingdoms and the colonial centuries.
- Viharamahadevi Park: A large green park in the centre with old trees, a fountain and shade, useful at midday and close to the museum.
- Kelaniya temple: A Buddhist temple north-east of the city, with murals and a stupa, said to have been visited by the Buddha. Allow half a day.
- Mount Lavinia beach: A beach south of Colombo, reachable by road or suburban train. Good for a slow afternoon and a seafood lunch, busier at weekends.
Three days in Colombo
- Day 1: Fort and the seafront: Start in the Fort with the colonial offices, the clock tower and the Dutch Hospital precinct, then cross to Pettah and its market streets. End the day on Galle Face Green as the light goes.
- Day 2: temples and museums: Take in Gangaramaya and Seema Malaka by Beira Lake in the morning, then the National Museum near Viharamahadevi Park in the afternoon. Dress modestly at the temples and carry water.
- Day 3: coast or lagoon: Ride south to Mount Lavinia for a beach afternoon, or head north to Negombo for the lagoon, the fish market and the churches. Suburban trains run along the coast; check times before setting out.
Add a day for Kelaniya, or two nights in Kandy or Galle. Both are long runs from Colombo; check trains with Sri Lanka Railways.
Best time to visit Colombo
December to March is the settled season for the west coast, which covers Colombo, Negombo and the southern beaches, and it is when most travellers plan a first trip. Humidity stays high all year and rain can arrive at any time. The island's coasts take their rain at different times of year, so check the forecast for the week you plan to travel before booking.
Getting around Colombo
- Tuk-tuk: Three-wheelers are everywhere; agree the fare before you start or ask for the meter.
- App cab: Ride-hailing apps work well in Colombo and are simpler than hailing a cab on the street.
- Suburban train: Coastal trains run south to Mount Lavinia and beyond; check times with Sri Lanka Railways.
Colombo vs Kolkata: what feels different
Colombo feels smaller and quieter after Kolkata, though the traffic is still heavy and the heat is steadier. Food turns on coconut, curry leaves and chilli rather than mustard oil, with rice and curry at lunch and hoppers in the evening. Sinhala and Tamil are the everyday languages, with English widely understood. Both are port cities with colonial architecture, but Colombo's is more Portuguese and Dutch in feel.
Before you go
- Entry: Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation or a visa. Rules have changed several times, so check the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration before flying.
- Money: The Sri Lankan rupee is used. Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; cash helps in markets, for tuk-tuks and at small eateries.
- Language: Sinhala and Tamil are official and English is widely understood in hotels, shops and transport. A few words of Sinhala go a long way.
- Health: Drink bottled or filtered water, use sun protection at midday, and carry mosquito repellent in the evening. Dress modestly at temples, covering shoulders and knees.
Hotels in Colombo
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Colombo’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★Sentido Heritance Negombo
≈ 3 km from Negombo (near the airport), Colombo · 5-starGuest score 4.7/5 · 6307 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★
5★
5★
5★
5★Jetwing Lagoon Wellness A Luxury Reserve Adults Only
≈ 5 km from Negombo (near the airport), Colombo · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 2033 reviewsSee live price
5★Jetwing Beach
≈ 4 km from Negombo (near the airport), Colombo · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 1761 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
How do you get from Kolkata to Colombo?
Fly. There is normally no non-stop flight, so a change at a hub is usually needed, and the typical journey time is about 4 to 6 hours in total. Allow time for the connection and check current schedules, since carriers and routes change.
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes. An Electronic Travel Authorisation or a visa is required. The rules have changed several times in recent years, including arrangements for Indian travellers, so check the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration and apply online before flying.
Which airport serves Colombo and how far is it from the city?
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) serves Colombo. It lies north of the city near Katunayake, and the expressway is the quickest way in. The drive to the Fort depends on traffic and is slow at the start and end of the day. Negombo is much closer.
Where should you stay in Colombo on a first visit?
Colombo Fort suits anyone who wants the old city and the transport hubs on foot. Kollupitiya puts you near Galle Face Green, shops and restaurants. Negombo, near the airport, suits a late arrival or an early departure.
When is the best time to visit Colombo from Kolkata?
December to March is the settled season for the west coast, which includes Colombo and Negombo. Humidity stays high all year and rain can come at any time. The island's coasts take rain at different times, so check the forecast before booking.
How many days do you need in Colombo?
Three or four nights covers the Fort, Pettah, the temples by Beira Lake, the museum and an afternoon on Galle Face Green, with time for a beach run to Mount Lavinia or Negombo. Add nights for Kandy, Galle or the hill country.
What does a trip to Colombo cost compared with Kolkata?
Costs depend on the neighbourhood and the season. Hotels, air-conditioned restaurants and organised trips take cards, while markets, tuk-tuks and small eateries are easier with cash. Check current prices locally rather than relying on older guides, and confirm any fare before a journey.
What food should you try in Colombo?
Rice and curry is the everyday lunch, with several vegetable and meat dishes and a heat level that varies by kitchen. Hoppers, string hoppers and kottu are common in the evening, and seafood is good along the coast. Coconut and jaggery sweets end a meal.
How do you get around Colombo?
Tuk-tuks are everywhere; agree the fare before you start or ask for the meter. Ride-hailing apps work well and are simpler for longer trips. Suburban trains run along the coast and buses cover the city. Traffic is heavy at the start and end of the day.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.