Journey from the UK
How long is the flight to Sri Lanka?
About 11h 15m from London10 hours or moreChecked 22 October 2026
About 11 hours direct from London to Colombo, or 13 to 16 hours with a stop in the Gulf. Sri Lanka is 5½ hours ahead in winter and 4½ in summer.
- Under 3 hours
- 3 to 6 hours
- 6 to 10 hours
- 10 hours or more
Rating10 hours or more
Areas covered2 on this page
SriLankan Airlines has flown direct from Heathrow. Gulf airlines connect from regional UK airports.
Flight times from London
- Colombo (CMB), direct10 hours or more
About 11 hours.
- Via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi10 hours or more
About 13 to 16 hours total.
The journey at a glance
Flight from LondonAbout 11h 15m
Distance8,714 km
Time difference+5.5 h (+4.5 h in UK summer)
Main airportCMB
Straight-line estimate for a direct flight from Heathrow. Real flights often take longer.
Before you go
- The airport is north of Colombo, so the south coast beaches are 1½ to 2½ hours away by road.
Stay and do
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Questions people ask
Is there a direct flight to Sri Lanka from the UK?
Yes, from London Heathrow to Colombo. Check the current schedule when booking.