Colombo to Munich Flights

  About Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It is one of the holiday destinations that you must add to your travel list. It is also known for its eclectic dining scene and its nightlife. It is also a great place to shop for clothes, wedding invitations and indulge in spa treatments. Sri Lanka is also known for its wildlife and elephant sanctuaries. It is the perfect place to go to if you want to club your luxurious, relaxing holiday plans with adventures. You can either volunteer to help out at an Elephant Sanctuary or sign up for a walking tour. Do try the ayurvedic spas in the city to relieve yourself of all the stress. You can book a hotel in Colombo at an affordable price. While it is not exactly the cheapest holiday destination in Asia, it is worth every money spent. The city is also known for its temples and no matter which religion you follow, you will find a temple of your choice of deity/religion here.

Best Time to Visit Colombo

January to March is ideal for taking off to Colombo on a trip since they are the driest months of the year. The best season to visit, however, is winter from November to March. Winters are quite chilly, and it is the best time to go sightseeing, too. The rainfall does not affect any of your sightseeing plans or any other outdoor activities. It is also an ideal time to head to the beaches and indulges in a few water activities. Colombo also has a very vibrant nightlife that is best experienced in winter when there is barely any rainfall. You can book a hotel in Colombo that is either close to the beach or the nightclubs, depending on how you intend to spend your holiday. The temperature ranges from 25 to 30 degree Celsius. January to March is the high tourist season in Colombo, and a lot of attractions will be filled with tourists. Colombo is also filled with festive spirit during these months as they celebrate festivals like Thai Pongal, Independence Day of Sri Lanka, New Year and Duruthu Perahera Festival. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Colombo well in advance if you are on a budget. If you are planning to go to Colombo on your honeymoon, this is the best time to go.

Colombo experiences summer from May to October, and it is considered as an off-season for tourists. Not only is it unbearably hot in the city, but it is also quite humid, so much that you won't feel like stepping out of your hotel at all. The temperature ranges from 28 to 32 degrees and will only make you uncomfortable. However, since it is offseason, you will get great flight deals to Colombo online. It also rains during this season and might lead to a hailstorm sometimes. If you are not an outdoorsy person and prefer indoor activities, this might be the best time for you to head to Colombo. You will also get really good hotels at a reasonable price during this time since it is offseason and the demand is low. You can sip cocktails by the pool in your hotel or indulge in relaxing spa treatments. You can also explore the Pettah market during this time without being hassled by the tourist crowd. It starts raining from May to August, and it rains intermittently in September and October. The temperature ranges around 28 degree Celsius during this time.

Places to Visit in Colombo

Galle Face Green is a popular beach park in Colombo that you can visit. You can also indulge in a lot of water activities at the beach. Pettah Market is another popular destination where you can go on a shopping spree and walk away with high-end luxury items at the lowest prices. Fort-Colombo is an important tourist attraction in the capital of Sri Lanka. It is the political and cultural heritage of the country and is also known for its vibrant nightlife. A major part is shut because of the turbulence caused by the Civil War. You will also find a lot of casinos here. The National Museum of Colombo is the largest one in Sri Lanka. It was founded by the British Governor of Ceylon from 1872 to 1877, William Henry Gregory. You will find artwork that dates back to the British Colonial and Portuguese era, along with a lot of artefacts. The Gangaramaya temple is famous for its blend of culture and architectural styles from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese and India. It was built in the 19th century and is a place of Buddhist worship and learning. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is another Buddhist temple that was built in the 5th century, which holds a lot of historical importance. The temple sees a lot of tourists and devotees during the Duruthu Maha Perehera every January and on full moon days of every month. The paintings and sculptures in the temple will tell you tales from Lord Buddha's life and the Jataka Tales.

Beira Lake is another popular landmark in the city where you can head to if you want to relax and soak in the beautiful views. It is also a highly recommended place for couples to head to in Colombo. Colombo Zoo also called the National Zoological Garden of Sri Lanka, houses over 300 different species of animals, birds, marine life and reptiles from all over the world. Casino Marina started in 2013 and is usually filled with elite tourists in the evenings. You can gamble away till wee hours of the night or enjoy the view of the sea from here. World Trade Centre is one of the most famous colonial buildings that you will find in the Old Fort area. St Lucia's Cathedral got its name after the saint martyr, St Lucia, who is believed to have protected everyone with eye problems in Colombo. It was built in 1760, and the Gothic style architecture draws tourists to it every year. Panadura and Crow Island Beaches are quite popular in the city and the best spots to indulge in recreational activities. You will find a lot of beach parks and temples in the city that are worth a visit.

Things to do in Colombo

Sign up for a city tour of Colombo and indulge in all the activities that come with your tour package. You can also get a customised tour of places that are of interest to you and activities that you have listed in your itinerary. Sri Lanka is known for its seafood and treating yourself to fresh seafood at Mt Lavinia Beach is highly recommended. While you can always rent a taxi for the entire day to get around the city, you can also enjoy a tuk-tuk ride, which is a popular way for locals to get around the city. Pettah Market, Good Market, Paradise Road are some of the popular places in the city for you to go on a shopping spree. You can also indulge in rejuvenating massage therapies at the spas in Colombo. The city also offers scuba diving at certain locations. If you want to give water sports a try, make sure you try this one. Most beaches also have boating, surfing and other water activities for you to try.

Food and Restaurants in Colombo

Seafood, especially prawns, is popular in Colombo since it is a coastal city. Curry Leaf and Seafood's Cove are some of the popular restaurants for you to binge on seafood or other types of meat. The city also has a lot of Indian restaurants; a lot of them have a vegetarian menu, too. Spice Coast is known for its biryani, Chana's for delicious North Indian cuisine and Shanmugas for its vegetarian menu. While you are trying seafood in the city, make sure you also try the chilli crabs. Paradise Road Gallery Cafe is a lovely cafe that is set in a walled garden and also has rotating exhibitions by local artists. It is considered as one of the most romantic restaurants in Colombo and is popular for its cakes. Rare is a chic and modern restaurant in Colombo with wonderful service. The restaurant uses organic produce to cook their unique, delicious cuisines and also boast of a wine cellar with over 150 labels. The lagoon is one of the best seafood restaurants in Colombo, and the fish curries, lobster Thermidor and raw sashimi are their speciality dishes.

How to reach Colombo (Transportation)

Bandaranaike International Airport, also called Colombo International Airport, is about 32 km north of Colombo. The flight connectivity to Colombo from India is excellent. While there are only a few direct flights to Colombo from India, most of the flights have layovers in Chennai or Bangalore. GoAir, Indigo and Spicejet have the maximum number of flights from India. However, Vistara and Srilankan Airlines have direct flights that help you reach the city in 2-3 hours instead of 6 hours. It is also quite easy to get cheap flight tickets to Colombo from India.

  About Munich

Bavaria's capital and an important city in Germany, Munich is home to some of the finest locations as well as landmarks from the German history. The city boasts a fancy and relaxed culture where food and beer are given equal amounts of love and attention. Even the automobiles are considered as equals aside from all the gastronomy.

Best time to visit Munich

Spring in Munich is considered to be the best time to visit the gorgeous city. These months bringing in summers to the Bavarian city do quite a good job. The winters thaw, and the summers begin to beckon more tourist activities. Late spring with its amiable temperatures, would be an ideal time to check out the best of the city. The winds are calm and relaxing, plus the cafes are quaint and pretty. Plus, the first Auer Dult also takes place in April (a traditional market setting which is set up thrice in a year). With fewer summer tourists in the city, you can book hotels in Munich for cheap. This is followed by the summers from June to August. As the city witnesses a spike in its tourism with higher temperatures, you might have a tough time finding cheap and comfortable accommodations. The best thing to do to be on the safe side would be to book a hotel in Munich a few months in advance. That way, you wouldn't have to deal with the sudden price surge. The summers see events such as Munich Film Festival, Christopher Street Day, Tollwood, Opera Festival and Munich Summer of Music. These key events certainly are fun to indulge in.

Winter months don't see a lot of tourists for obvious reasons. The city is too cold to venture out or engage in tourist activities. This is also the time when the hotel prices drop, and the flight tickets are easily available. If you are unfazed by the cold and snow during these months, you should visit Munich for the Christmas festivities. Of course, don't think we've forgotten the famous Oktoberfest. The celebrations of Oktoberfest starts from late September to early October, the city's beer festival means excess crowd and exuberant demand for hotels and hostels. To visit Munich during Oktober Fest, you will have to book your hotels and accommodations well in advance. The demand is too high and for the right reasons.

Places to visit in Munich

Munich, as a cosmopolitan city, has far too many beautiful structures and historical settings to offer for tourists. They have a pretty exciting list of tourist attractions that range from historic palaces to their automobile world. What manages to keep the tourists hooked to their culture and historical significance is how well they have all been preserved. Don't just be content by their BMW World, which is a stunning setting for petrolheads, something you should know. The English Garden (Englischer Garten) is a lovely expanse of a public park which is located within the city centre. As the name suggests, the park is very English-styled with famous Biergarten, eclectic monuments within the premises, sparkling lakes flowing and perfect paths to jog or bike on. Frauenkirche or Church of our Lady is another intriguing setting that you will find in Munich. The two dome-topped towers have historical significance as they were used during World War II by the Allied for bombing purposes. The observation platform of the structure is exquisite. For a religious tour, head to St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) which is one of the most ancient and tiniest churches. Give a small payment fee, and you will get to go to the top of the church's tower to witness the view of the gorgeous Bavaria.

Deutsches Museum is undoubtedly one of the more interesting places to visit. Thanks to their collection of brilliance from the science and technology spheres, it has easily become a favourite among tourists. It has exhibitions of many scientific discoveries ranging from transportation to musical instruments and their genesis. Another interesting park within the English Garden is the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm (Chinese Tower). It is basically a tower nestled within the English Garden that offers a splendid view of the park. For the automobile enthusiasts out there, who are on a trip to Munich, you should definitely not miss out their prized jewel, the BMW Welt. The vast space is dedicated to Germany's top exports, BMW automobiles and parts. Along with the cars, the architecture will surely take your breath away. From the history of BMW to their latest work, information about everything related to the automobile company can be found here in the gallery. To add more regal to your sightseeing list, there is the Residenz Royal Palace where you can go. The palace has been converted into a State-owned small museum and also has concert halls and theatres to entertain the people who visit the space. While we're on the subject, the Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) is also a place worth visiting thanks to the lovely lake view it has that connects with the palatial grounds.

Things to do in Munich

A tour down Alstadt (Old Town) and Marienplatz should be enough to give you a taste of the hip Munich. From a plethora of engaging street meat and sausages to performers taking over the crowded lanes to entertain you, these places in Munich certainly do bring the house down with their lively atmosphere. One interesting activity that you can take up is to visit the Viktualienmarkt, it is Munich's oldest market and dates back to 1807. There are around 140 booths and various sellers bringing their fresh goods to be sold at the market. In case the idea of surfing on a river never crossed your mind, you might be able to witness it or even take it up at the Eisbach River. Plenty of tourists and locals engage in river surfing or Eisbachwelle at the base of the Eisbach River. Indulging in Bavarian beer is undoubtedly one of the top things to do. You simply cannot finish your trip without downing some craft beer and sausages in Munich.

Food and Restaurants in Munich

Germans like their food as they like their beer, crafted to perfection and made in quantity. They like to have heavy, hearty meals with a creamy melange of flavourful sauces and buttery rolls. Of course, all this goes along with a pint or maybe even a jug of beer. Meat plays an essential addition in their cuisine, and so do sausages. When you're in Munich, you should definitely try their Sauerbraten, which is basically roast beef stew. The pot roast usually mixes tender beef with aromatic flavours and spices. It is always accompanied with potato dumplings (also called kartoffelklöße) and red cabbage. The meat is actually marinated for days before finally being cooked, which makes it perfect. Some other famous meat dishes include Schweinshaxe (typically resonated with a peasant's meal), Rinderroulade (beef slices rolled perfectly around bacon and onions), Hasenpfeffer (rabbit stew), to name a few. Special mention to the famous German sausages that have been part of their culinary world for a really long time. A Munich speciality, going by the name Münchner weißwurst, is definitely worth a try.

Of course, talking about German food, we simply cannot miss Schnitzel, which is basically bread cutlet and from the Austrian culinary heritage. IT is the perfect small meal one can ask for in Munich. Werneckhof by Geisel, Tantris, Weinhaus Neuner, Esszimmer, are some top restaurants in the city that will give you a fine dining experience. Plus, they also celebrate the German cuisine. However, if you are on a tight budget, head to Schmalznudel, Fraunhofer, Weisses Brauhaus, Wirtshaus in der Au, etc., for a tavern-like feel and German-sized meals. The city also houses some international cuisine such as Japanese, Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, that you can indulge in. They also have special steakhouses for meat lovers.

How to reach Munich (Transportation)

As an international business hub, Munich's flight connectivity is world-class. The Munich International Airport witnesses an exuberant number of flights and tourists from around the world. Many flights to other cities of Europe also connect at the airport, making it an important city in Europe as well as the world. The city connects with a majority of popular cities in Germany as well as other European countries. In fact, Munich is also a popular route considered to reach countries like Luxembourg, Belgian, the Netherlands and France, Switzerland, to name a few. Major metropolitan cities in India service flights to Munich on a regular basis. Certain flights heading to the European countries also have layovers in Munich, making travelling to the city easier. Cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, to name a few, have regular flights flying in and out of Munich. The major airlines connecting Munich to cities in India include Lufthansa and Star Alliance. There are other partners too such as Air China, All Nippon Airways, South African Airways, Swiss, Egypt Air, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, to name a few.

Ticket prices for flights to Munich range from cheap and affordable to expensive. Depending on the availability of direct flights to the peak season. The accommodations in Munich are also varied with options for hostels as well as swanky hotels. Even if you are unable to book your accommodation in advance, there will be options to choose from in Munich.

  About Colombo Airport

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport, popularly known as Bandaranaike International Airport is the international hub that serves Sri Lanka. The airport is situated at Negombo and has been named after SWRD Bandaranaike, the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

About Airport Terminals

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport stretches about 32.5 km at Katunayake. The airport accommodates three passenger terminals with Terminal 1 being reserved for international airlines and flight activity. Terminal 2 also caters to international activities while Terminal 3 is set for domestic airline functions. Terminal 1 is the oldest and largest terminal in the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport with 12 gates. It opened back in 1967. Departure and arrival are also located in the same terminal and separated horizontally. Currently, all the international operations take place from this terminal. The terminal is connected to one concourse which has all the 12 gates. The terminal also has two lounges with Srilankan Airlines' famous Serendib Lounge being installed. Along with this, the Palm Spirit lounge is also located in proximity. Terminal 1 also has a dedicated cafeteria, day-rooms, showers, duty-free shops and a smoking lounge.

Terminal 2 has been constructed and opened much recently. It has eight gates and accommodates departure and arrival areas which are separated vertically. As per expansion plans, the airport plans to build an extension to Terminal 2 which will be built in stages and phases. The new terminal is set to have eight boarding gates along with 14 passenger boarding bridges. The proposed development plan also has bridge accommodations for Airbus A380. Terminal 3 came into existence in 2012 and has since been used for domestic operations. The departure and arrival zones are strategically separated in a horizontal manner. There is a dedicated Cargo Terminal that takes care of all cargo airline activities. The arrival and departure are separated in the same way as terminal 1, horizontally.

About Airport Authority

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport is owned by the Government of Sri Lanka while it is operated by Airport and Aviation Services Limited (AASL). AASL is a government body that has statutory powers to administer, manage and work on the development of the airport. The statutory body is also known to be a big contributor to Sri Lanka's economy as the civil aviation industry has witnessed tremendous financial revenues from the airport. Other airports that also fall under the AASL umbrella are Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Ratmalana Airport, Batticaloa Airport and Jaffna International Airport.

The airport has been going through some tremendous expansion plans and developments with a view to accommodating more airlines and flights. A split-level passenger terminal building is being constructed which would be separating both the departures as well as the arrivals vertically. Further on the same, there are constructions for a passenger boarding bridges that would directly connect to the new Airbus A380. Adding to the infrastructure would be a remote apron along with nine parking bays to facilitate air traffic movement. Stage II of the expansion seeks to acquiesce 600 hectares of land for construction of a new runway that can accommodate newer airplanes as well as aircraft maintenance and repair centre.

Top airlines flying from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport accommodates various airlines as it is recognized to be one of the best tourist destinations. With its proximity to India, the airport sees a good amount of flights flying to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from the Indian cities. Some of the biggest Indian airlines operate from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport are Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. These airlines have dedicated direct flights to Sri Lanka. Indian cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Kochi, to name a few, have provisions of direct flight connections to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.

Similarly, various international airlines are also linked to Sri Lanka. In fact, some of the international airlines that operate from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia, Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Cinnamon Air, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Salam Air, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and SCAT Airlines. A majority of the flight activities come from the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. A handful of cargo carriers also fly in and out of the airport. These include Cathay Pacific Cargo, Turkish Airlines Cargo, SriLankan Cargo and Etihad Cargo.

Facilities at Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

ATM, banks and currency exchange - The airport has a bunch of local banks and ATM services available. If you need to make the currency exchange for travelling within Sri Lanka or if you need some cash in hand for your destination outside the country, it can be arranged at the airport's premise.

Communication services - If you are in need of a local SIM service for your trip, you can get hold of the same at the airport itself. There are booths at the arrivals where they have telecommunication services. With necessary identification documents, you can get hold of the SIM.

Free WiFI - There are free WiFi services available at the airport. You will need to go to the website of Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport to avail the same. Or you can visit the information desk to learn more about how to work around it.

Medical services - To ensure that medical emergencies at the airport are resolved quickly, the airport has also installed designated medical rooms and services. You can find them as well as pharmacies also at the airport. In case you are unable to find them, you can visit the nearest information desk and get more details. The airport paramedic services are known to be of good quality.

Baggage - With respect to baggage services, the airport offers a slew of facilities that would be beneficial. You can get hold of services ranging from wrapping plastic on the luggage, trolleys, storage facilities for the luggage, delivering luggage to the specified destination and more.

Pet assistance - There is room for pet services at the airport too. In case you are travelling with pets, there are professional staff who can take care of your pets as well as their needs. They would require authorized papers and documents from the Department of Animal Production and Health.

Porter service - You can avail porter services at the airport. Basically, you will have to inform your airlines well in advance to book a porter service. The airport staff will escort you through the terminals and take care of your luggage. This would include a security check of the bags, wrapping services, etc.

Airport lounge - There are three lounges at the airport, namely, Lotus, Araliya and Executive. The lounges have been designed in a way to enhance tranquillity and excellent hospitality. You can relax in the lounge, and at the same time, you can avail their services too. These include rich culinary delights, good resting space and complimentary showers and spa.

Restaurants and cafe - Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport has many restaurants and cafes available. The departures and arrivals have good food establishments located perfectly to cater to passengers. Along with restaurants, the airport also as dedicated food courts that is in proximity to the lounge area.

Smoking zone - Smoking in public space is prohibited in Sri Lanka. Hence, the airport has also reserved a space for a smoking lounge. You can make purchases for cigarette boxes at nearby shops within the airport premise.

Transit Hotel - The airport's transit hotel is named Serendiva and offers world-class contemporary decor, aesthetic construction, modern amenities and top-notch hospitality. The interiors are known to bring about the rich culture of Sri Lanka. It is situated on the main pier of the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport's arrival/departure zone. The hotel is also surrounded by duty-free shops, lounges, immigration counters, cafes and more.

How to reach Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

The airport offers exemplary transport services and is well-connected to the main city. Although you would be required to travel a little depending on your itinerary and which part of the country you'll be visiting. But you will be able to reach the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from different parts of the country. There are public buses, transport services and taxicabs available.

Buses

Express public buses are available within the city that can reach you to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport. It would only take about 25 mins to reach Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from Colombo (Pettah) bus stand. From here, you can traverse through all parts of the country without any hassle. You will need to get used to the crowd because the buses are always packed.

Taxicab services

The city is well-connected by taxicab services that can be availed to reach the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport. In fact, the airport also sees counters and lanes with taxi services outside the airport's arrival section. The arrival porch allows a fleet of 600 vehicles with fixed rates. With the taxicab, you can reach any part of the country, but it might get expensive depending on the distance from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.