Travelling from Salem Airport (SXV) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo and Salem (where Salem Airport is located) are in the UTC+5:30 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch on arrival.
To avoid rushing for your SXV to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a popular month such as August? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from SXV to Colombo with a stopover. To see all the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Central Salem to SXV is around 16 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take about 30 minutes to get there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab.
80.0% of flights leaving Salem Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. Given its strong on-time performance, delays are unlikely when taking off from SXV.
How to find the cheapest flights from Salem Airport (SXV) to Colombo
P5,892 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Salem Airport to Colombo flight. A round-trip ticket right now is P13,561. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from SXV to Colombo, book in advance. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across each month when searching for your Salem Airport to Colombo ticket.
Save time looking for cheap flights from SXV to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Salem Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Salem Airport to Colombo. Reserve one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Salem Airport to Colombo has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
After stepping off your SXV to Colombo flight, rest your head at a hotel near CMB. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare availability and rates from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt.
Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Visit Colombo during the high season if you prefer a busy atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Salem Airport to Colombo during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Before locking in your Salem Airport to Colombo plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SXV to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from Salem Airport to Colombo, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are a couple of popular attractions to add to your Colombo travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Viharamahadevi Park.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've seen Colombo, now it's time to discover other parts of Sri Lanka. Journey around 306 kilometers north to Jaffna to tick off its must-visit sights. From Jaffna Fort to Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Around 241 kilometers north-east of Colombo, Trincomalee is another favourite stop in Sri Lanka. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
