Flying from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 8 hours 7 minutes. On average, that's the time it takes for a direct flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul.
Bandaranaike International Airport is located in Colombo. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 2 hours 30 minutes behind Colombo.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route, with 10 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from CMB to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:45. Opt for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 06:50 if you want to get on your way earlier.
To ensure you catch your flight from CMB to Istanbul, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a popular month like August? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Direct flights from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Istanbul are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll complete your journey.
Turkish Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from CMB to Istanbul. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Break up the journey at one of these airports:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
To enter Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you will require an e-visa if you hold a passport from Sri Lanka. However, visa rules can change and you may need other documents depending on the purpose and length of your visit. Always check the most recent guidelines before you book your cheap ticket from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul.
Located around 32 kilometres from central Colombo, CMB can be reached in approximately 39 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to CMB? If you're boarding an early flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
How to find the cheapest flights from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Istanbul
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul is 223 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 381 €. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 4 months before flying. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from CMB to Istanbul.
The cheapest month for tickets from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul is December. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the lowest fare.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap tickets from CMB to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your travel plans with filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul is about 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 57 minutes.
The trip will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places where you can rest ahead of your adventure near SAW. Kick back and get cosy after your flight from CMB to Istanbul at any of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to work out your dates for your flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul. August is the busiest month to visit Istanbul. If you like a more low-key vibe, go in February.
Lock in your flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul for August to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for cheap flights from CMB to Istanbul sometime then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
After locking in your flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are a couple of popular attractions to put on your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and see the sights your way. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.