Travelling from Colombo to Nairobi: what you need to know
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Colombo's main airport. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Colombo to Nairobi leaving from here.
When it comes to planning your arrival in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are the chief entry points.
Leave plenty of time to get on your flight from Colombo to Nairobi. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a popular month like August? Public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
You'll need an ETA for Kenya if you have a passport from Sri Lanka and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before you book your cheap flights from Colombo to Nairobi, check with your airline as well as the destination country's local consulate or embassy for the latest updates.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even explore a different city. When browsing flights from Colombo to Nairobi leaving from Bandaranaike International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Travelling from central Colombo to CMB takes approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 39 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a relaxed start to your break? Stay near Bandaranaike International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Colombo to Nairobi or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to the centre of Nairobi takes around 22 minutes by car. It's approximately 14 kilometres away.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 11 minutes when travelling by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Colombo to Nairobi, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near NBO:
Wilson Airport (WIL)
After your flight from Colombo to Nairobi has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in about 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is approximately 3 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 46 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to WIL. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Colombo to Nairobi:
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Nairobi
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Nairobi is ج.م. 12,243. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ج.م. 23,094. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap tickets from Colombo to Nairobi if you book ahead. Airlines often have some excellent early bird rates.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across each month when looking for a ticket from Colombo to Nairobi.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from Colombo to Nairobi couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Colombo to Nairobi. Simply select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Best time to go to Nairobi
February is the quietest month for flights from Colombo to Nairobi, while July is the busiest. Figure out the best time to go to Nairobi based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book your flight from Colombo to Nairobi for March if you want to head to the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Nairobi to range from 14ºC to 30ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 12ºC and 24ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Colombo to Nairobi sometime around then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Nairobi
Start your Nairobi trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Colombo to Nairobi, browse our selection of hotels including:
Nairobi National Park and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are just two of the top-rated attractions to put on your Nairobi must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top.
Complete your Nairobi trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Colombo to Nairobi isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Nairobi and explore on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.
