Flying from Tampa to Colombo: what you need to know
Planning your getaway starts with working out where you'll fly out of in Tampa. Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the city's main base, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Tampa to Colombo taking off from here.
Come in for landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the primary gateway of Colombo.
Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30, making Colombo nine hours 30 minutes ahead of Tampa.
Allow plenty of time to catch your Tampa to Colombo flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak time like July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tampa to Colombo
Booking early is often the key to finding a cheap Tampa to Colombo flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more you'll likely pay.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Tampa to Colombo throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your dates are flexible.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Tampa to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Tampa to Colombo flights.
Flying from Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Traveling from central Tampa to TPA takes around 55 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 5 miles in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a hassle-free start to your journey? Stay near Tampa International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Tampa to Colombo or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Of all flights departing from Tampa International Airport, 78.59% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
TPA is located at 5507 West Spruce Street.
Arriving in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 8 miles. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the center driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get there when traveling by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Tampa to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The center of Colombo is about 17 miles from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Tampa to Colombo has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 40 minutes.
If you're traveling on public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car easy and quick. These providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from CMB two weeks in advance often means lower prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before locking in your flights from Tampa to Tampa, think about which time of year is best for you. High season in Tampa offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while low season brings cheaper hotel rates and smaller crowds.
Book a Tampa to Colombo ticket departing in March if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Colombo to range from 75ºF to 91ºF.
January has average temperatures of between 72ºF and 90ºF. Search for cheap flights from Tampa to Colombo around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Tampa to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are highlights which should be on any well-planned Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered once you've seen Colombo. Around 11 miles to the south, top sights here include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Jaffna is another favorite destination in Sri Lanka and is around 190 miles north of Colombo. No journey is complete without experiencing Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
