Flights hackBring an empty bottle
Pass security with an empty water bottle and fill it at the airport fountains instead of buying overpriced water.
✈️ Cheap flights from New York to Colombo
Compare New York – Colombo fares from hundreds of airlines and travel sites. The trip is about 14,054 km and takes around 17 h 35 min nonstop (most flights stop once).
📏 Distance14,054 km (8,732 miles)
⏱️ Flight timeabout 17 h 35 min nonstop – most trips need one stop
🕒 Time differenceColombo is 9.5 hours ahead of New York
🛫 AirportsJFK, EWR, LGA → CMB
💸 Cheapest monthJan 2027 – from $819
📅 Cheapest months to fly New York → Colombo
- $1,472Dec 26
- $819Jan 27
- $965Mar 27
Lowest fares our Fare agent saw for each month. Prices change daily.
🌞 Best time to visit Sri Lanka
Best: December to March – dry and sunny on the west and south coasts and in the hill country, ideal for beaches and sightseeing.
Shoulder season: April and September to November – warmer or more changeable weather but fewer crowds; the east coast is at its best from May to September.
Weather by month in Colombo
- 31°Jan⛅
- 31°Feb⛅
- 32°Mar⛅
- 32°Apr🌧
- 31°May🌧
- 30°Jun🌧
- 30°Jul⛅
- 30°Aug⛅
- 30°Sep🌧
- 30°Oct🌧
- 30°Nov🌧
- 30°Dec🌧
Average daytime highs (°C) and how rainy each month is.
📍 Things to do when you land
- Climb Sigiriya – Scale the giant rock fortress past ancient frescoes and lion's paws to a summit palace with sweeping jungle views.
- Ride the hill-country train – Hang out of the open door as the train winds past waterfalls and tea estates between Kandy and Ella.
- Safari in Yala – Scan the scrubland for leopards, sloth bears, elephants and crocodiles in Sri Lanka's most famous park.
- Walk Galle Fort – Stroll the ramparts of a Dutch-era fort town at sunset, past boutiques, churches and a lighthouse.
💡 Tips for a cheaper ticket
Money hackUse a no-foreign-fee card
A debit or credit card without foreign transaction fees saves 2–3% on every purchase and ATM withdrawal abroad.
Flights hackSearch one-way tickets on two airlines
Two one-way fares on different airlines are often cheaper than one return – and give you more freedom to change plans.
New York to Colombo flights: questions
How long is the flight from New York to Colombo?
A nonstop flight from New York to Colombo takes about 17 h 35 min for the 14,054 km (8,732 miles) trip. Few airlines fly this distance nonstop, so most itineraries include one stop and take several hours longer.
How far is Colombo from New York?
Colombo is about 14,054 km (8,732 miles) from New York as the plane flies.
What is the time difference between New York and Colombo?
Right now Colombo is 9.5 hours ahead of New York. Daylight saving changes can shift this by an hour during the year.
What is the cheapest month to fly from New York to Colombo?
Recently the lowest fares were in Jan 2027, from about $819. Prices change daily.
Which airports serve New York and Colombo?
From New York: John F. Kennedy Intl (JFK), Newark Liberty Intl (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA). In Colombo: Bandaranaike International Colombo (CMB).
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
It depends on your passport – see our Sri Lanka visa & entry guide.
More flights from New York
More flights to Colombo
Searches open our travel partner in a new tab. We may earn a small commission when you book – it never changes the price you pay, and it keeps this site free.